There's two versions of this route, and this one takes a bit more road than ideal... check out my 2022 fall ride which has a more scenic route.
I let it rip tooo hard and one of my tubes exploded lol - fixed my first flat in the middle of the woods, while mosquitoes ate me. made it to Champlain just in time for sunset, made it all worth it!
Looking for a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of the city? Look no further than Wakefield, a charming village in Québec that's just 40KM away from downtown Ottawa. This is a day-long ride that won't disappoint.
To get there, I recommend taking the Chelsea Community Trail - it's by far the best route. Starting in Gatineau Park, this trail will take you by the river for most of the way, avoiding Route 105 and offering stunning views of the surrounding natural beauty.
What's more, the Chelsea Community Trail was once an old train route that's since been adapted into a perfectly flat gravel trail. So whether you're an experienced cyclist or just starting out, you'll find this route to be both scenic and manageable.
So if you're ready for a day-long ride that will help you beat the heat and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature, head to Wakefield via the Chelsea Community Trail - you won't be disappointed! If you want something more challenging, check out the Cyclocross version of this route.
🚗 Driving? There is parking at Chelsea CLSC, located at 490 Route 105.
Also read:
Unfortunately I recently learned there's a detour and part of the nice rail trail is not available to ride, the road may need to be taken instead. Exercise caution. An updated map will be uploaded when available, sorry about that!
More info here: https://www.villelapeche.qc.ca/actualites/presentation-citoyenne-travaux-a-venir-sur-le-chemin-riverside/