A bike ride in Gatineau Park
One fine Tuesday morning at the end of June, above our heads, the sky is grey but it’s not raining yet. Marie-Pier and I just got to one of the parking lots in Gatineau Park. A gate is keeping us from getting further in our car. That’s all right! We’re here to bike.
In 2021, the Park has implemented a pilot project that restricts automobile traffic on a large portion of its parkways. In cycling lingo, that means, "The street is ours!" So, we can ride safely on 27 km of paved road!
After warming up our legs by the Ottawa River, which flows near by, we slowly go back up the Gatineau Parkway. The ribbon of tarmac that carries us through the forest is smooth and gently undulating, following the curves of the terrain. It’s quiet. The only sounds we hear are those of our efforts or other cyclists who descend the gentle slopes of the road.
Cycling in the Middle of Nature
In spite of its proximity to the city, we feel as though we are in the middle of nature. A bear peacefully crosses the road in front of us. Although we are completely surprised by this vision, he clearly doesn’t seem the least bit bothered by our presence.
Our route forks slightly outside the park. We pause in the Old Chelsea area, where we find several quaint cafés and bistros. On the terrace of the Biscotti & Cie, we chase down a sandwich with coffee before attacking the last portion of our day.
A bike ride in Gatineau Park is not complete without a visit to Champlain Lookout! It is by the Fortune Lake Parkway that we enter the park again. Without being very demanding, the 6 km climb that will lead us to the Huron and Étienne-Brûlé lookouts will be the most constant of our loop.
As soon as we leave Chelsea, rain catches up to us. We let it in on our little party; it’s actually quite refreshing. The slopes are steep enough that we have to dance on our pedals. Our bike tires kick up water that wets our backs and our legs. We go through a series of turns that lead to the Champlain Parkway. Fortunately, the rain lets up and stops completely before we reach the lookout.
A Quiet Moment
Standing by the stone wall, our eyes gaze westward. They roll down the last fortifications of the Ottawa hills, spread over the low arable land and finally plunge into the river's current. The horizon is still blue with rain and small clouds of mist cling to the surrounding slopes. We are alone to enjoy this moment of tranquillity.
Even if the asphalt is wet, the descent goes without a hitch. The gentle curves of the road only put a slight strain on our brakes. At times, the sun even manages to break through the clouds. While we cover our last kilometers, I am already planning my next visit. I will probably be with my gravel bike. The network of trails seems immense and magnificent!
