Pedalling East
Of Ottawa
72 kilometres of rural
paradise can be found
along the Prescott-Russell
Recreational Trail
By Stephen Johnson
Urban cyclists will notice the serenity. perfect. There is little to no signage
The Prescott-Russell Recreational You’re more likely to pass a tractor or along Highway 417 or regional road 17
Trail is one of the most accessible but cows than a traffic light or a Tim Hortons to promote the trail and there are no
less-known cycling opportunities near and I saw not a single other cyclist during bike rentals available close to the trail,
Ottawa. It begins about 25 kilometres my five-hour trek. something that may improve as the
east of the city near Hammond and Use a good hybrid or a mountain bike popularity of the trail increases.
extends 72 kilometres all the way to the if you can. The trail is crushed stone dust The trail stops outside city of Ottawa
Ontario-Quebec border. and the overall surface quality was quite boundaries, which prevents easy access
I had a chance to cycle a portion of the good, with some portions paved and to a large urban population. Innis ward
trail last fall. It was the same weekend as conversion to pavement scheduled for Councillor Rainer Bloess says, “I would
the future. like to see the city working with com-
I cycled to the town of Alfred and munity groups to develop the trail. We
visited the University of Guelph Alfred could leverage city funding with other
Campus as part of the Agri-Tour funding and complete portions of the
weekend which drew minivans and trail in fairly short order. Potentially, the
families. I looked a bit out of place with trail could run from Ottawa to Montreal,
my mountain bike gear amidst the which would be great for tourism.” ~OO
festivities, but I joined in anyway. We
~Steve Johnson is a full time dad, husband
had a tour research diary farm that is
and sometimes writer. He is happy that
s
part of the university’s Alfred Campus.
Ottawa has many close destinations that allow
UR
o
After feeling reassured about the time for a diaper change and bottle feeding in
s t
quality of milk in Alfred, I made my between a bicycle ride or hike.
e
R
nes
D
the Eastern Ontario Agri-Tour, so many way back to Plantagenet via the trail.
il
farms were holding open houses, which Plantagenet has a bakery that specializes
ottawaoutdoors tips
W
e
R
R
i
V
added interest. I started near Plantagenet, in tourtière. a
where cyclists can park directly beside The trail passes by the Larose Forest,
Biking
a
W
tt
the trail. There are four such access a vast area of abandoned farmland that
Kanata is home to a rugged
points along the route with picnic tables, has been slowly converting itself to bush
technical mountain biking to
on the o
G
information stands and toilets. for decades, and the Alfred Bog, one of rival any great trail in Canada.
the largest peat Outback is a winding circular
y
akin
wetlands in the
trail on the far reaches of Ka-
province. After
nata Lakes, otherwise known
site: ka
your nature hit, if
as South March Highlands. De-
you’re thirsty you
spite the fact that South March
Highlands is closed in by roads,
aphy oppo
can visit Beau’s
GR
don’t let that fool you - it feels
t
o
microbrewery
remote, is remote, and you can
J
ho
in Vankleek Hill
get lost! This place is wild and
which offers tours
R
ails l
you’ll have to work it to keep
and samples of its
your flow. It doesn’t feel flat. It’ll s
sell t
beer. buck you off your bike if you
R
U
tt
The trail is a can’t ride the rock outcrops or
c
o
great experience,
turns. You’ve been warned! :-)
R
es
y
: p
but nothing’s
s b
t
o
pho
30 OTTAWA magazine summer/fall 2009
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
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