NOTE: THERE IS NO FRIDAY RIDE THIS WEEK DUE TO THE OTTAWA TOUR WEEKEND.

Only three more sleeps until we meet in Ottawa to start our weekend tour. Weather is promising sunshine. This post provides important details that hopefully answer all your questions about routes, ride leaders and contact details. If not, please comment!

If there are members who are still thinking about going, it may still be possible to find accommodation and join us. Visit our Ottawa 2018 Tour page to learn more.

The Routes

Linked below are maps and cue sheets for the four scheduled Ottawa rides. All rides start and finish at Ottawa U residence parking lot at 90 University Private with start time of 10:00 am.

Saturday Route details: A Canal & Two Rivers

• Short distance and elevation: 53 kilometres and 381 metres of climbing
• Long distance and elevation: 74  kilometres and 527 metres of climbing

Sunday Route details: Pathways to the Gatineau

• Short distance and elevation: 47 kilometres and 391 metres of climbing
• Long distance and elevation:  73 kilometres and 817 metres of climbing

Due to the wide area that each ride covers, we were unable to find the usual road map that would display the total route in good detail on one sheet of paper. We decided to go with more high level screen prints from Map Ride with GPS, complemented with detailed cue sheets. Ride leaders also have Map Art versions of the map with additional details.

Nobody is going to get lost on these rides: we will ride as a group; 3 of the 4 leaders have already test ridden the routes.

Riders will be arriving as early as Friday afternoon and may head out for leisurely rides. Some will stay overnight on Sunday and do a Monday ride as well. You’re on your own for these rides.

The Ride Leaders

Short route. Richard and Marshall are ride leaders for this group of 6 riders.

Long route. Sue and Pete will lead this group of 22 riders.

For both groups, the goal will be to stay together, with one leader sweeping the back to ensure no one is left behind.

Emergency Contacts

Below are cell numbers of our ride leaders and Ruth.

Ruth will be creating a mobile chat group to update our 28 riders on any important new details or updates. GFW members in the tour will be automatically added as we have your cell phone numbers. Please let her know by text if you DO NOT want to be part of this chat group. If you are not a GFW member, and wish to be included in the group updates, please text Ruth to provide your cell phone number.

• Marshall: 416-268-9919
• Peter: 289-356-2436
• Richard: 905-885-9128
• Ruth: 416-418-3264
• Sue: 905-244-6953

Social Details

While we have great routes planned for you during the day, we’re allowing the evening social experience to unfold. If plans emerge to go to dinner on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, Ruth will send out a text to announce details. If you’re not in the chat group, make sure to touch base with others to find out what options for the evening have emerged.

Note that Katherine has suggested it would be fun to go to the Cirque du Soleil performance on Saturday evening. If you’re interested, visit the website for Alegria.

Bike Stores

You never know what needs might crop up! Here are a couple options should you have emergency bike needs.

• Mountain Equipment Co-op, 366 Richmond Road (613.729.2700)
• Fresh Air Experience, 1291 Wellington West, Ottawa (613.729.3002)

Medical Services near Ottawa U.

Please be safe and healthy! But if stuff happens, here are a couple options to take care of any medical needs:

• Ottawa Hospital, 1967 Riverside Drive, Ottawa, Ontario
• Walk-in Clinic, 100 Marie Curie (1st Floor) (corner of King Edward Avenue

Supplies near Ottawa U.

• Shopper’s Drug Mart – Rideau Centre Mall, 50 Rideau Street
• Loblaw’s, 363 Rideau Street (at Nelson)
• Metro, 245 Rideau Street
• LCBO, 275 Richmond Street

Packing Checklist

To support your packing process, here is a handy list of items you’ll want to make sure you pack:

For the weekend

• Breakfast fixings
• Snacks
• Kitchenware (pots, plates, utensils), if you plan to cook/eat breakfast, lunch or dinner at Ottawa U.

For the ride

• Maps
• ID
• Water
• Spare inner tube, pump and tools
• Money
• Sunscreen
• Lunch and/or snacks
• Bicycle lights
• Rain gear (?)
• Camera
• Mobile phone

We hope this post covers off all your questions. And if not, please comment!

We look forward to an excellent weekend of fun, friends, fitness and food!