Ottawa by Bike

Ottawa Critical Mass Ride

2023-05-20 Distance: 16.88 km Time: 1h 38m (1h 5m moving) Avg. Speed: 15.57 km/h Elevation: 69 m

This was the long anticipated Ottawa Critical Mass Ride, with the goals of a safe Wellington St and an Active Use Queen Elizabeth Driveway.

It had an amazing turnout (I'd say ~100 people? I'm bad at this), but felt like a lot, specially considering the rain. I was happy to see parents with kids reading books in their cargo bikes, and dogs in baskets. It was a family friendly event that showed the current lacking state of our cycling infrastructure.

The first half of the trip, from the Canadian War Museum to Confederation Park showed how lacking our current infrastructure is. Construction and cars everywhere, cyclists were only safe due to the mass group riding. Done individually, this ride wouldn't have been comfortable nor family friendly.

The second half highlights what's possible, with a relaxed trip along the Queen Elizabeth Driveway towards Dow's Lake, greeting tourists passing by in the boats and families cheering up. Paths used by people! All of this surrounded by the gorgeous Tulip Festival and cherry trees in full bloom! 🌷🌸

I met Art Kaplan-Myrth who shot a cool video showing the beginning of this ride:

🗺️ View Ride MapLearn more about route
map of Ottawa Critical Mass Ride
From "Ottawa Critical Mass Ride". Captured on May 20, 2023.From "Ottawa Critical Mass Ride". Captured on May 20, 2023.From "Ottawa Critical Mass Ride". Captured on May 20, 2023.From "Ottawa Critical Mass Ride". Captured on May 20, 2023.From "Ottawa Critical Mass Ride". Captured on May 20, 2023.From "Ottawa Critical Mass Ride". Captured on May 20, 2023.From "Ottawa Critical Mass Ride". Captured on May 20, 2023.From "Ottawa Critical Mass Ride". Captured on May 20, 2023.

About Easy Loop around the Canal:

Looking for a beginner-friendly cycling route in Ottawa? Look no further than my favourite ride - the one that got me hooked on cycling!

This route is perfect for riders of all fitness levels. It's simple, relaxed, and can be as long or short as you want. The ride loops around the locks by the Arboretum, providing a serene and scenic experience that's sure to recharge your batteries. At a relaxed pace it takes about 45 minutes.

🌷 In the springtime, this ride takes on a whole new level of beauty. The Canadian Tulip Festival provides a stunning backdrop, with vibrant colours and sweet fragrances that make the ride even more enjoyable. And if you're up for a winter adventure, you won't want to miss the chance to cycle past the world's biggest ice rink!

☕️ Wanna grab a snack? NCC has a bistro by Patterson's Creek during summer.

🛼 Between May and October NCC closes the Queen Elizabeth Driveway for Weekend Bikedays, so you can ride between the Corktown Bridge (Somerset St) and Flora Footbridge (Fifth Ave) without worrying about cars!

So whether you're a beginner or an experienced cyclist, this ride is the perfect way to unwind after a long day at work. Hop on your bike and discover the beauty of Ottawa, one pedal stroke at a time.

More rides like this:

↩ go back to Easy Loop around the Canal