outdoors ottawa
SPRING/SUMMER 2010
FREE
Your guide to the local outdoor adventure scene
Ottawa, Ottawa Valley, Gatineau, Quebec
Two bike roads for all ambitions From Almonte to P’tit Train du Nord
Ottawa runners’ favourite routes
Getting the run-around
Ease in to your first time
Overnight camping
Exploring Pinhey’s Point
A day of possibilities
How to cycle to work
And enjoy it
Buying a kayak or canoe this summer? Here’s what you need to know
Sleeping pads review
To sleep, perchance to dream
Lawn Care Services • Weekly Mowing Service (for residential and commercial) • All lawn areas will be cut; tighter areas with a trimmer • All hard surfaces will be blown clean • Fertilizing, weed control • New sod, seeding, topdressing, re-leveling • Lawn Aeration, De-thatching • Hard surface power sweeping • Grub control and organic grub control • Spring clean-up, de-thatching, fall clean-up • Removal of annuals • Garden bed clean ups (perennial care, fertilizing, rose protection) • Eaves trough cleaning • Organic/Synthetic Blended Fertilizer Treatment
Maintenance Services • Weeding, bed edging, pruning, tilling vegetable gardens, planting and harvesting, and more
Landscape Construction • Interlocking stone and natural stone work • Patios, walkways, driveways, retaining walls, steps • Night lighting systems, Water gardens • Decks/fencing • Irrigation systems
Skilled Employees • Our employees are formally trained and have an extensive background in horticulture. Our staff are routinely updating their skills and knowledge through educational seminars and workshops. • Fully Licensed and Insured - Free Estimates • We are proud members of the Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association and the Better Business Bureau.
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outdoors ottawa
Overnight camping
12
Women cycling groups
34
~ Features
~ Articles
5 Giving Ottawa-Gatineau the run-around 7 Two bike roads for all ambitions 9 Ease in to first-time overnight camping 10 Canine canoeing 11 What to think about when buying a canoe or kayak 14 Keep going when the going gets tough 17 YCCC is Ottawa’s canoe camping club 18 Whitewater rafting, frogs in the dark, Gatineau hikes 20 A midsummer six-day dream trip with the kids 22 Pure water: backcountry purification systems 101 26 Pinhey’s Point
4 Publisher’s Letter 4 Contest announcement 17 Featured boat – Impex Kayak Hatteras 16 24 To sleep, perchance to dream 29 Plant trivia 30 Cool Gear Hot Clothing 32 Useful photography gadgets 34 Women saddling up and cycle in confidence 37 Around town 38 Urban farmer grows really, really local veggies 40 Event calendar & outdoor clubs 43 A few words on green battery-charged e-Scooters 45 Stay on the trails 24 a 46 How to cycle to work and wear suit every day
Adventure with the kids
18 COVER PHOTO: NICKILFORD.istockphoto.com
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
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SPRING SUMMER 2010
When buying a canoe or kayak
11
Cool Gear Hot Clothing 30
it d a e R ne!
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It’s TOTALLY FREE too! There’s loads of info, videos and more about the local outdoor adventure scene, all delivered in this extremely cool animated version. Just go to www.OttawaOutdoors.ca to sign-up at the top right of the homepage and we'll send you a digital version of the print issue. ottawa outdoors 3
PUBLISHER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: DAVE BROWN EDITOR: ROGER BIRD CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kathleen Wilker, Craig Macartney, Jim Clarke, Allen Macartney, Chantal Rogers, Sheila Ascroft, Larry Showler, Brad Kukurudz, Emma Jackson, Alec Bialski CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael McGoldrick - www.gobiking.ca, Paul Tessier, DLewis, AccretionPoint, istockphoto, www.couvrette-photography.on.ca ADVERTISING INQUIRIES Dave Brown, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Ottawa Outdoors Magazine is an independent publication published seasonally every four months and distributed FREE at sports stores all over the region, as well as at 100 other locations. E-mail: Advertising@OttawaOutdoors.ca Tel: 613-860-8687 or 888-228-2918 Fax: 613-860-8687 CONTRIBUTIONS Ottawa Outdoors Magazine welcomes story and photo contributions. All photos should ideally be shot with a high-resolution digital camera, but otherwise scanned at 300dpi resolution and burned onto a CD-ROM or e-mailed. No unsolicited contributions will be returned unless accompanied by a selfaddressed stamped envelope. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork. Publisher may publish any and all communications with Ottawa Outdoors magazine, and may edit for clarity and style. Indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index ISSN No. 1204-69556. © Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any materials published in Ottawa Outdoors Magazine is expressly forbidden without consent of the publisher unless otherwise agreed between partners. Printed in Canada.
ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERSHIPS Ottawa Outdoors Magazine aligns with local and international environmental groups. Recently Ottawa Outdoors Magazine joined and supports the following groups. We encourage you to do the same. Leave No Trace Canada is a national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and inspiring responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships. Leave No Trace builds awareness, appreciation and respect for our wilderness areas. www.leavenotrace.ca One Percent for the Planet is a rapidly growing network of companies that give at least one per cent of their annual sales to environmental causes. Their commitment provides vital resources and awareness to organizations that work to keep us on a sustainable path. 1%FTP provides members with a straightforward and powerful way to become part of the solution. We are proud supporters of One Percent as a movement as well as their members which include Mountain Equipment Co-op and more than 20 other businesses across Canada. www.onepercentfortheplanet.org
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER Ottawa Outdoors magazine, the number (9), this issue and the Ottawa Citizen These would be the topics of this publisher’s letter. :-) To begin with, this is our 9th year in publication in the region and we couldn’t be happier. We’ve brought you hundreds of articles about the outdoors, where to go and what you can do when you get there. We’ve loved- and, are loving- every part of it. We hope you are too. The number (9) is my favourite number coincidentally, and I think it’s because I thought it was cool that it’s held in high esteem or considered lucky by the Chinese. Since that discovery I have had the number on my Ultimate Frisbee team jerseys as I’ve played at the national and world level. Turns out the number (9) is also a homophone (Google it) of the word for “long lasting”, and ya gotta love that. This issue is filled with articles to help you be long lasting too. Dream in peace after reading our review of sleeping pads for your next camp-out (pg.24). Eat more locally-produced veggies from an urban farmer and you’ll tack on some bonus retirement years too (pg.38). If you ever thought you couldn’t bike to work for the sweaty mess you’d be afterwards, then you haven’t read Jim Clarke’s piece on how this could be possible (pg.46). And to really stay young take a ride with Brad Kukurudz as he writes about his six-day dream trip cycling with his two young daughters. All that to say, there’s lots in this issue for you to read and enjoy. My last bit of good news pertains to the Ottawa Citizen. Staring in the May 2nd Sunday paper I’ll have my own weekly column writing about the outdoor life in the region. Similar to the magazine, I hope you enjoy weekly bites on tips, how-tos and destination ideas pertaining to all sorts of outdoor-related activities. Write to me if you have something you’d like covered. Until then — like the number (9) — may your spring, your summer and yourself, be “long lasting”. Dave Brown, Publisher, Editor-in-chief
Enter the Pedal and Paddle Contest
and win cool stuff!
It’s that time again. We’re having a draw for two winners of these great prizes. First winner gets choice. What do you have to do? Just email our staff at: pickme@ottawaoutdoors.ca
for further instructions. Win either this awesome $600 7.2 FX Hybrid TREK bike from Bushtukah, or Trailhead’s cool new $829 Modular Tequila! Kayak that can fit inside your car and be reassembled in seconds. Either prize rocks and we know this summer you’ll be pedalling or paddling because you were smart enough to enter. I mean, why shouldn’t it be you that wins right? ;-)
Draw is July 1st!
Enter today! Are you an outdoor enthusiast who would like to contribute? To submit articles or photos, all you have to do is e-mail us at: Editor@OttawaOutdoors.ca.
Giving Ottawa-Gatineau the run-around Top runners share their favourite routes BY KATHLEEN WILKER
All you need to get out for a run are shoes, motivation and a route that inspires you to keep on keeping on. You’re in charge of the shoes and the motivation, but we’ve enlisted three local experts to talk about their favourite routes to encourage other runners to find their own best tracks.
PHOTO CREDIT: NICO_BLUE-ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
An Ottawa communications consultant who started running with her sister-in-law six years ago after her son was born recalls, “We didn’t have proper running strollers when we started.” Bridget Mallon laughs now, assessing how far she’s come. Her current goal is to run a fast five kilometres. “There’s a big push in the running community to continually expand your distance, but I’m more interested in increasing my speed,” explains Mallon, whose route of choice includes hill repeats in the steep residential streets between the Queensway and the Civic Hospital. Her advice to other runners? “Don’t be afraid to get lost.”
A missed turn could lead you to your newest favourite route. Gatineau Park is on Angie Cameron’s doorstep. But this ninetime marathon runner trains on both sides of the Ottawa River. “In the early spring I love running up the Parkway in Gatineau Park,” says Cameron, a social sciences teacher and a dragon boat paddler. “Most of the snow is melted on the Parkway, but it’s still closed to cars so you can stay dry and train on solid ground.”
The Parkway opens to traffic by mid-May, which is when Cameron switches to trails throughout Gatineau Park’s woods. “I can go any distance, the scenery is beautiful, running on trails is good for my legs and sometimes I meet wildlife.” Cameron has encountered deer, snakes and even a beaver on her favourite route up to Ridge Road, which she likes because you can warm up on a walk up the hill, and then enjoy the ups and downs. There are no huge ascents, and she takes comfort in
knowing that when she’s had enough, it’s downhill all the way home. On Wednesday nights, Cameron trains with a group led by Fitness Dynamics www.fitnessdynamics. ca, a triathlon club which meets near Parliament Hill. Working with a coach has focused her training and encouraged her to include intervals, hills and speed in her running plan. Out in North Gower, Joanne McFall-Smith sets out from her house and runs past dairy barns and farmers’ fields and into the village with her running partner. “Knowing that someone else is waiting for me really encourages me to get out running” this high school librarian who is adding distance cycling to her training. “There are so many routes around Ottawa to choose from,” she says, mentioning runs in the Bruce Pit with her high school’s track and cross country teams. November 2008 marked a McFallSmith first, the New York City Marathon, and she loved it. “When my husband and I were watching the Olympics, our big joke was telling each other that it’s not too late to train for the next Olympics,” she laughs, and adds that she feels on top of her game, eats better, sleeps better and feels better when she’s running around Ottawa. «oo
Running bits • Cotton socks will only lead to blisters; invest in socks designed for running • And buy running clothes you look good in and that will motivate you to run • Sign up for a Somersault race • It gets easier • Warm up before you stretch • Pay special attention when running with music • Get ready to look and feel fantastic!
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CONTACTS FOR LIKE-MINDED RUNNERS Visit The Running Room at www.runningroom.com to find out about races around Ottawa, and information about clinics like Learn-to-Run, Running for Women and every distance imaginable. Free group runs on Wednesday evening and Sunday morning are open to the public.
OTHER RUNNING CLUBS IN OTTAWA INCLUDE: • K2J Fitness at k2jfitness.com – Based in Barrhaven, with group runs and clinics for all levels. • Motionware Running Club at www.running-geek.ca/motionware – Based in Kanata and beginner friendly, the club has runners of all levels and speeds. • Movement to Health at www.movementtohealth.com – Classes in Kanata and Westboro range from beginners to marathon training. The aim is healthy bodies and minds in a healthy community. • Ottawa Athletic Club Racing Team at www.OACRacingTeam.com – This road racing team includes triathletes and duathletes. • Sole Responsibility Run Club at www.soleresponsibility.org/runclub. htm – Led by experienced coaches, this Westboro club’s group runs aim to build fitness and better runners. • Boomerang Kids Strollercize Classes at www.boomerangkids.ca/ strollercize – Walk, jog or run your way to fitness by working out with your baby, whether in the stroller, a carrier … or your tummy! Check the website for strollercize dates and times at the store closest to you. Strollercise is free.
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Two bike roads for all ambitions An Almonte gem for a family day trip and a more ambitious trip on the Quebec side for a long weekend BY CRAIG AND ALLEN MACARTNEY PHOTOS – GOBIKING.CA Here’s a couple of cycling routes to generate adventure this summer, one close to home and the other north of Montreal. The first is perfect for a family day trip, and the second would make an excellent longweekend adventure. ALMONTE LOOP Start this 15-kilometre loop in the picturesque town of Almonte, a 30-minute drive west of Ottawa. Get there by driving west on Highway 417, then take Highway 44/49 to the town. This loop is easy to keep track of – it’s left turns all the way. Start cycling on Martin Street North, heading northwest. This paved road leads out of town through lovely rolling farm fields where you can watch for wild turkeys and deer. At the village of Blakeney turn left, then peddle for 3/4 of a kilometre to the bridge crossing the Mississippi River. You’ll want to stop here for a picnic, and to explore the many trails weaving through the forested www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
area that hugs the river. It’s a band P’TIT TRAIN DU NORD LINEAR PARK several hundred metres wide, almost like a highway of river For those looking for a more and forest running through the challenging adventure, you can’t farmland. beat the P’tit Train du Nord Linear You turn left at Wolf Grove Road. Park. This beautiful trail winds its The entire trip involves a leftway northwest for 200 kilometres handed circuit. along a former railway bed, Then continue heading down the from Saint Jérôme through the road less than a kilometre until you Laurentians to Mont-Laurier. The cross County Road 29 and continue tracks have been replaced by either to the village of Bennies Corners. fine gravel (in southern portions of Turn left on Ramsay Concession the trail) or pavement (in the north). Road 8, and in less than a kilometre It’s perfect for either hybrid and you’ll reach the Mill of Kintail mountain bikes. Conservation Area. Here, you’ll The grade is mostly gentle, except find a postcard-perfect, waterin a few locations (see map) that powered, restored mill surrounded by mature trees. Scenic picnic areas surround the area, as do a maze of hiking trails. There’s also an art gallery and museum. Continue your cycling trip down Ramsay Concession Road 8 to Wolf Grove Road, your your final P’Tit Train du Nord – One the many beaches where cyclists can stop for a quick swim. This is in Nominingue. The left turn, and loop photo was taken on a hot Saturday afternoon, so the beach back to Almonte. was well used by the locals.
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require a little more effort. The northern half of this route (our preference) has rest stops every five to 10 kilometres with picnic
tables and shelters beside swamps and ponds. Outhouses make the trail child friendly. During this trip you’ll pass through a wide range of picturesque villages and towns near quiet streams, rapids, golf courses, public swimming P’Tit Train du Nord – The Kayak Café in Labelle. beaches, and lookouts, all perfect for picnicking. For side trips there are several In addition to scenic vistas, you’ll loops off the main route, as well as see wildlife – foxes, ravens and trails that lead to rock-climbing hills. raccoons. There are historical Just watch for signs. exhibits at some of the old railway You can join the trail at many stations along the route. places, including St-Jérôme, Cyclists planning an overnight trip Ste-Adèle, Sainte-Agathe, Montwill find seven campgrounds on or Tremblant, Labelle, L’Annociation near the trail while most towns have and Mont-Laurier and there’s no B&Bs, inns or resorts, and restaurants charge for using the trail. You can catering to any taste. There are also get free brochures from tourist bike rentals positioned near the kiosks in most of the towns along trail in some towns, and you’ll find the way. «oo ~ Craig and Allen Macartney are avid hardware stores and repair shops in cyclists. case you run into trouble.
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Ease in to first-time overnight camping BY CRAIG MACARTNEY
Camping is fun, but only if you’re prepared for it. Otherwise, it can become frustrating and cold very quickly. Weather can change without warning and a would-be camper sitting under a tree, soaking wet and wondering how to set up the tent, is having no fun at all. You don’t want that. When camping stays fun, you get hooked for life. Here’s how.
PHOTO CREDIT: (TENT - PAULTESSIER-ISTOCKPHOTO.COM) (OWL -ZE14361-ISTOCKPHOTO.COM)
GET READY Start with a low-stress trip and build from there. A simple overnight or weekend at a nearby park – one that offers conveniences like toilets, showers and driers. If you’re too ambitious, bad weather and unfamiliar gear can overwhelm any fun you might have. GET SET Be prepared. Try out the important stuff before you leave home. Set up your tent in the backyard the day before you leave, to ensure you have all the pieces and nothing is broken or torn. If you’ve never lit a fire on your own, practise. It isn’t as easy as it looks or sounds in books or the movies, especially when the wood was rained on last night. Test your camp stove, and test the cook’s skills. Make sure you know how to use it, and it’s not leaking gas. Be like Santa – make a list of necessary stuff and check it twice – once when you’re packing gear and a second time as you load it into your car. Expect rain. The weather channel isn’t always right. Pack for rain even if the forecast calls for sun.
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GO With extra socks, a tuque and a knife. Dry socks are essential for any adventure, especially on a cold night after a day of hiking. A tuque fits the old adage: “Cold feet? Put on a hat.” A good knife is a basic survival tool, and useful in countless ways around a campsite. With a tarpaulin, and set it up as soon as you reach the site – even under sunny skies. (Wise campers say this alone will guarantee excellent weather.) Find a good location near your tent, but not right beside it, to set up a kitchen, store food, and eat. A tarp will keep you dry in rain, and shaded on hot days. Make
sure you slant it so rain is directed away from your tent. With a sleeping mat. A thick sleeping mat keeps you off the cold ground, and warm. DIG IN And create a shallow two- to three-centimetre-deep trench around your tent. One corner should lead away to your campsite’s low ground. Even in a downpour this trench will keep rain flowing away from your tent. TURN IN Fluff up your sleeping bag before bed. You’ll be amazed how much warmer you’ll be. Flattened sleeping bag material does not hold body warmth worth a darn. And if you think you’re comfortable now, wait until you survey the wonders of dawn from a warm sleeping bag. «oo ~Craig Macartney is an avid fourseason camper.
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Canine canoeing Take your pooch for a paddle Farley learned to canoe last spring. Well, he’s not actually using a paddle, but he has developed his sea legs and a penchant for gunnel watching. Farley is a mini-Schnauzer and definitely not a water dog. Unlike Labs or Newfoundlands who are renowned for swimming, this six-year-old says no thanks – the closest he comes is wading only up to his belly and no deeper. So how does he do in a canoe? For starters, he probably won’t jump out into the water. He loves to be with his “pack,” even if it’s just two humans, and even if we’re afloat. It took a bit of little trial and error, but we found out what works. Unlike the first short ride when he quivered on the deck as the boat unexpectedly rocked, his second trip was pure pleasure – paws on gunnels, checking out paddle splashes and ripples, ducking under shoreline branches, woofing at the sandpipers tipping amidst the rocks. Now he knows the drill and when he sees the life jackets come out, he runs onto the dock in anticipation. WHAT WORKED The first step was persuading him to get in the canoe. On the dock, he was uncertain of this unstable object bobbing in the water so we used his profound trust in us – and his favourite treats! We took a stable, wide-hull canoe and left the turn-on-a-dime, white-water model behind. 10 ottawa
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A thick towel on the bottom of the canoe (a rubber mat will do, or even a piece of industrial carpet) kept his paws from slipping on the fibreglass and provided a place for him to sit or lie down. Dogs don’t like to sit in bilge water any more than people. Next was convincing him to stay in the middle section of the canoe, not crawl in my lap while I’m paddling, nor growl and try to attack the paddle as it comes out of the water. We praised him highly whenever he did the “right” thing. And a floating toy tied with a long string to the centre thwart held his attention as he watched it bob, bob, bobbing along. We brought an extra water bottle for hot days when he gets as thirsty as the paddlers. If you’re not drinking from that river or lake, neither should your dog. And if your dog is sun-sensitive, don’t stay out too long on those perfect summer
days – and drape a towel over the middle seat so he can get some shade underneath. We took plenty of rest stops so Farley could get out and explore the shoreline, have a pee and then be content to canoe some more. It’s good practice for him to get in and out with no dock. If he poops, bag it and pack it out – good etiquette matters on all waterways! This spring we are considering a PFD (personal floatation device) for Farley, because he detests swimming so much he’d be safer with one if the canoe did tip. That’s a start. If you want more waterborne adventure with your pooch, check out Dog Paddling Adventures www.dogpaddling adventures.com for organized, dog-friendly trips. «oo ~ When Sheila Ascroft isn’t paddling she’s biking, or walking Farley and some of his friends through Rideau River parkland. www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
PHOTO CREDIT: DLEWIS33-ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
BY SHEILA ASCROFT
What to think about when buying a canoe or kayak And how to choose what’s best for you BY LARRY SHOWLER Choosing the “perfect canoe for you” shouldn’t be complicated and technical but rather fun, exciting, and educational. Here’s an intro. Canoe Length: Given two canoes of equal width, a longer canoe will have greater speed, increased capacity, and will track (go straight) better. Short canoes in the 15-foot range although slower, are more manoeuvrable, lighter, less expensive, easier to transport, and are wonderful for day use and short overnight trips. Large canoes 17- to 18-foot range are used for extended excursions, or for large families due to their increased capacity. The most popular Canadian canoe length is 16 to 16½ feet. This midsize length offers both recreational paddlers and trippers a good compromise of speed, manoeuvrability, capacity, weight and price. Canoe width: The primary function of width is stability. The wider the canoe the more stable it is. Narrow canoes tend to be less stable but more efficient as their hulls push less water. Most tandem Canadian canoes are 33 to 36 inches wide with 36 being the norm, while most solo canoes will average 28 to 33 inches. Canoe depth: Is measured at the centreline from the gunnel to the bottom of the boat. It is important to have a canoe with sufficient depth for carrying capacity and safety. A deeper canoe will deflect spray and waves better, but may be www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
Saturday, May 29, 2010 All Day Mooney’s Bay Park
Come to the PaddleFest for an opportunity to learn how to paddle, pick up new skills, and test out different boats. This one day family event has something for all ages and skill levels. There will be plenty of demo canoes and kayaks from our exhibitors as well - so come test drive a few! For more details, visit mec.ca/ottawa
more susceptible to cross winds. A depth of 13 to 14 inches is common in quality recreational and good tripping canoes. Whitewater canoes may be as deep as 16 inches. Shorter day tripping canoes and solo canoes may be as shallow as 12 inches. Canoe symmetry: This is the overall shape of the canoe from front to back. The hull of a symmetrical, traditional canoe
has identically shaped halves with the widest point at the centre. Symmetrical canoes manoeuvre quicker and provide more predictable behaviour in whitewater conditions, or paddling narrow rivers and streams. An asymmetrical, modern canoe has a longer streamlined bow with the widest point a foot or so behind centre. Asymmetrical canoes tend
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secondary stability. Shallow-arch hulls suit a wide range of skill levels for paddlers who want one canoe with good all-round performance. Canoe shape above the water line: The sides of a canoe above the waterline also affect performance. Flared sides shed water away from the canoe, while tumblehome provides a narrow beam at the gunnels allowing the paddler easier access to the water. Straight-sided canoes are a compromise of the two. Some canoes combine a number of these shapes. Keels or Not: Canoes with keels track better and will boost the canoe’s resistance to side-slipping in crosswinds, as well as provide added hull protection. Keelless canoes turn more quickly but don’t track as well. Beginners, fisherman and families with children like the userfriendly feel of keels. Experienced and whitewater paddlers tend to prefer the manoeuvrability a keelless canoe provides. Generally speaking, as the user skills increase, the need for a keel decreases – vee-hull canoes are keelless, but a good paddler can make one bite the water much like a keeled boat.
Canoe stem shape: The profile of the bow or stern as seen from the side is called the stem. There are three basic stem shapes: plumb (vertical), raked (slanted) or re-curved. Each shape has its own advantages. A plumb design maximizes hull speed. A raked stem provides more volume in the ends for drier handling in waves. A recurved stem has a traditional look and turns quicker. Carrying capacity: This is the weight of people and gear a canoe can hold while still providing optimum performance and retaining at least six inches of freeboard for safety. Unfortunately, most manufacturers vastly overstate capacity by listing weights hundreds of pounds too high. So, TEST-paddle first and determine which canoe meets your capacity needs. There’s no such thing as a perfect canoe, but by now you have figured out that a canoe designed to excel in one area must compromise its performance in another. Happy shopping! «oo ~ Larry and Christine Showler are lifelong paddlers with boats for sale from their Frontenac Outfitters Canoe & Kayak Centre. www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
PHOTO CREDIT: ACCRETIONPOINT-ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
to be faster, more efficient and track better. Flat-water paddlers looking for efficiency often choose asymmetrical canoes. Canoe entry lines: Entry lines of a canoe’s bow and stern are usually described as narrow or full. Canoes with narrow lines are usually fast, efficient and tend to cut through the waves rather than ride over them. Canoes with a blunt or wider bow and stern will be slower but will handle waves and rapids more effectively. Canoe rocker: This is the degree of curve to the keel line when viewed from end to end. Canoes with a flatter keel line will track better but will turn with more difficulty. Conversely, canoes with a lot of rocker turn easily because their ends sit higher in the water, but do not track as well. Whitewater canoes tend to have lots of rocker and flatwater canoes tend to have almost none. Most canoes are a compromise of the two. Hull Shapes: Flat-bottom canoes have the greatest wetted surface and most initial stability when paddling in calm water. However, when leaned, or in rough water, a flatbottom canoe quickly becomes less stable, and can flip with little warning. Flat-bottom hulls are generally best for beginners, fisherman and day paddlers with children or pets aboard. Round- and vee-bottom canoes have the least wetted surface, so they feel less stable initially in calm water. However, they provide the most resistance to tipping when leaned, or in rough water. Round- or vee- bottom hulls are generally fast, efficient and are best for experienced paddlers or those aspiring to be. Shallow arch-bottom canoes are a good compromise of the two hull shapes mentioned above, providing a good blend of both initial and
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Keep going when the going gets tough BY CRAIG MACARTNEY Accidents happen, so campers need to be able to repair gear on the spot, in the field, to keep it working until they can get back to civilization. Anything you really need is available at outdoor stores: nylon repair tape patches ($1.50), plastic grommets ($1.50), a McNett field repair kit ($5.75) and duct tape. It all fits easily into a small pocket in a backpack. Rips and holes Tents, tarpaulins and backpacks get lots of wear and can develop rips and holes from campfire embers or metal frames. Many can be repaired with duct tape by pulling the two ripped pieces together and running one or two lengths of duct tape down the problem. For bigger tears, nylon repair tape patches are perfect. As before, align the sides of the tear and stick the patch directly over the rip, with at least 2.5 centimetres (an inch) of overlap. Patch both sides of the fly or tent wall to be safe. If the rip is near a tent fly pressure point, simply double up the patches.
Ripped out grommets Tarpaulin corner grommets sometimes rip out from stress. Replace them with plastic grommets in your repair kit. You snap the two grommet pieces on either side of the tarp five to eight centimetres (two to four inches) away from the tear. Then poke a hole through the tarp in the center of the newly placed grommet. Now you’ll be able to hang your damaged tarp worry-free. For high wind, use two grommets close together.
Damaged tent poles Bent or broken tent can damage the tent fly. Try gently bending aluminum or other metal poles back into shape. (Fibreglass poles won’t bend back, and may shatter.) Wrap damaged areas in duct tape to cover sharp burrs. You may want to splint a broken or badly bent pole with sticks wrapped in duct tape to add strength. «oo
Broken buckles Tying straps together works for a while, but the best solution involves needle and thread from your field repair kit. With this you can replace a damaged buckle with a less essential one cut off from elsewhere on your pack. Remove the broken buckle, loop the nylon strap over the new one, and sew it in place. And you can cure a sticky zipper by rubbing a bar of soap up and down it as lubricant. Avoid oil, which may stain fabric. 14 ottawa
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www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
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YCCC is Ottawa’s canoe camping club Offering low-cost tripping and training since 1952 BY CHANTAL ROGERS Do you love running white water rivers? Or the serenity of a remote lake? Then the YCCC is for you! Ottawa’s YM/YWCA Canoe and Camping Club (YCCC) – a volunteer organization – was started almost 60 years ago (1952) by a few friends passionate about canoeing. Originally, the club was a place to learn canoeing techniques, and of course experience Canada’s great waterways. People would go to learn, but after gaining a comfort in the craft, they would leave the club to embark on their
own canoeing adventures. This is something the YCCC is trying to change. The club loves providing affordable canoeing, wilderness and water sport training, but it also wants members to stick around and enjoy paddling together. Currently, it boasts both beginners and advanced paddlers, adventure seekers who love whitewater and/or flat water. Family Camp is a new feature the YCCC is excited to promote. The club wants to expand its activities and show young people the joy of the outdoors. It is now offering a variety of events for all ages and levels of difficulty. As well, kayak lessons and outtrips will be offered this coming year.
This past spring the club had an open house of the upcoming season, encouraging new members to join up for training sessions, and inviting returning members to get involved in the diversity of trips and wilderness experiences planned for the upcoming year. Throughout the year, the club offers seminars on different topics related to water sport and safety. Whether you want to learn survival skills; how to brave the elements with kids in tow; or how to plan for your first week-long canoe trip, these seminars are a great place to meet people, learn something new, and have a great time. Why don’t you check out the YCCC? Start by visiting www.yccc.ca. «oo
PHOTO CREDIT: AD LEFT - SHARPLY_DONE-ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
Featured Boat: Frontenac Outfitters –Impex Kayaks Hatteras 16
New for 2010, Impex Kayaks Hatteras 16 provides a wonderful blend of playfulness, maneuverability and stability, while retaining its great tracking and efficiency characteristics. The entire ‘Frontenac Outfitters Review Team’ loved the Hatteras - calling it “the best Impex kayak design since the Currituck”. PADDLER FIT: A higher deck and longer/wider cockpit contribute to its extensive fit range of small to large paddlers. A new redesigned seat pan is longer and the seat also slopes forward to maximize drainage.
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
KAYAK EFFICIENCY & MANEUVERABILITY: Surf kayaks maneuverability is often achieved at the expensive of sacrificing tracking and efficiency. What separates the Impex Hatteras from its competitors is its ability to do both well! A slightly softer chine and moderate rocker provide a high degree of liveliness, while a sharp waterline and shallow Vee hull ensures great tracking.
KAYAK ROLL & RESCUE: A phase too-often abused by manufactures is that “their kayak rolls easily”, but in the case of the Impex Hatteras - it’s actually true! A slightly higher, more bulbous foredeck, low rear deck and redesigned seat pan make wet entries, wet exits and Inuit rolls easy. New ‘Vee Deck’ European Colour Schemes are available exclusively, a $150 value Free!
KAYAK STABILITY: The Impex Hatteras Kayaks initial stability was rated as ‘high’.
To read more about this and other boats, visit www.frontenac-outfitters.com for a detailed list of specs and reviews.
ottawa outdoors 17
Whitewater rafting, frogs in the dark, Gatineau hikes… Great adventures are close to home BY KATHLEEN WILKER Living in Ottawa-Gatineau means being just a bike ride or a short drive from outdoor, warm-weather fun close to home. Most of these work for all ages.
Gatineau Park creatures The Friends of Gatineau Park www.rezoe.com/amicigatineau offer programs in both English and French to introduce some of the Park’s star residents. Amphibian specialist Rob Alvo will take you to where frogs and toads sing in springtime. After an introduction,
you’ll go into the Park, enjoy the concert first hand and identify these creatures of the dusk chorus. Meet at 7 p.m. at the Visitor Centre, 33 Scott Road in Chelsea. This event is in French April 23 and in English April 30. Register at 819-827-2020 and tickets are $15 per adult and $5 children. The show is capped at a just-manageable 30 participants, so register early.
PHOTO CREDIT: MORGANL-ISTOCKPHOTO.COM
Birds in the hand Have the birds eating out of your hand in the Britannia Conservation Area, on Mud Lake. This patch of wilderness close to Britannia Beach at the end of Cassels Street draws birdwatchers to its trails in all seasons, but especially spring. There are songbirds, herons and wood ducks making this mixed forest and wetland their home or migrating
through on their way north. Bring your own birdseed and the chickadees will be eating out of your hand. Wannabe naturalists can spot frogs or turtles close to shore. It’s an easy walk along a well marked trail, suitable for all ages and abilities.
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www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
You can choose from (in alphabetical order; they’re all good according to customers I’ve talked to) Esprit Rafting www.whitewater.ca; Owl Rafting www.owl-mkc.ca; River Run www.riverrunners.com; and nearby Wilderness Tours www.wildernesstours.com/. Each offers single-day adventures or multiday trips. There are family-friendly trips for children who’ll get wet but not scared. Really little kids are not
Ottawa River whitewater Rafting down the Ottawa River is available just an hour’s drive upriver, with guides on hand to take you for the ride of a lifetime. www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
Îles de la Madeleine
A vacation destination to see and feel! Do you enjoy cycling while on vacation? Discover the many cycling possibilities available throughout the maritime regions of Québec.
Cap-des-Rosiers (Gaspésie)
Plan your vacation online:
www.seeandfeel.ca/cycle La Pocatière (Bas-Saint-Laurent)
Forillon National Park of Canada (Gaspésie)
Photos: M. Bonato/Tourisme Îles de la Madeleine, S. Larose, M. Pilar/Tourisme Bas-Saint-Laurent, J.-G. Béliveau
Gatineau Park trails Hikers with a penchant for vertical reality will love the great views and steep climbs along Gatineau Park’s Skyline or Wolf Trails. Skyline is about six kilometres with steep climbs, and history – it was the first designated trail after the creation of the Park in 1938. Starting at the Penguin picnic area, it ascends to great vistas and a clearly marked loop along well packed twists and turns. The route ends with a relaxing downhill and you can top it off with ice cream in Old Chelsea. Wolf Trail is eight kilometres of steep climbs for hikers and a challenging run for joggers. Highlights include a creek crossing, a beaver pond, a gentle stroll beside farm ruins and a picnic indoors at Western Cabin if you want. It’s designated hikers-only, not mountain bikes, but some bikers stray, so keep your head up. Park at P13 by Blanchet Beach. You’ll have to pay for parking starting mid-June. Enthusiastic kids could handle both trails but the smallest hikers will probably need a piggyback part of the way. Download the Gatineau Park summer hiking trail map at www. canadascapital.gc.ca/data/2/rec_ docs/3414_SummerTrailMap.pdf/.
allowed on board, but there’s plenty of fun for them ashore. Rafting is not cheap, but the thrills are worth the price – they vary, so check the websites. The Ottawa River has outstanding rapids but you don’t need to be an ace paddler – guides teach basic strokes, call out commands, and steer the boat. You can book a campsite for a weekend too, and enjoy great food at restaurants on the sites. «oo
ottawa outdoors 19
A midsummer six-day dream trip with kids BY BRAD KUKURUDZ
Last August I rolled out of the driveway fully loaded at the helm of a 2.4-metre, 67-kilo tandem bicycle and set off along the western stretches of Wellington Street while two children vibrated with excitement behind me. We were starting a six-day, 300-kilometre ride from Ottawa to Kingston, most of it off the beaten track, meaning rural roads, secondary highways and bicycle paths. We wanted to follow the Rideau River and camp at the historic Rideau Locks along the way. Getting here started five years ago when I decided that someday I would take my children on an annual cycle tour so I could spend time with my family and still get my tour fix. When I set off with Luna and Annika, aged 7 and 3, it was our first big bicycle trip after a year or two of local forays. I wasn’t too concerned about distance, but I did worry about routes. I wanted to stay off the main highways roads and find affordable accommodations along the way. And in hot August weather, good swimming holes needed to be part of the journey.
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The Rideau Canal system was a natural choice. The Canal itself in Ottawa has provided my kids with hours of enjoyment as we ride the pathways along the Canal and watch boats move through the locks. I found myself thinking how great it would be to follow the historic Rideau Canal system down to Kingston. A Backroads Mapbook (Eastern Ontario edition) and some web browsing led to the invaluable Rideau Canal Waterway website (see below), with everything from maps to accommodations to the history of the Canal. Cycle camping at the lock stations was cheap ($5 a night per person, kids under 12 free). Although some official publications say individual cycle tourists can’t camp there, it took only a few phone calls and I was told this was not the case and encouraged to come on in. I knew 50 to 60 kilometres was the kids’ daily limit and a family map session set up a route with stages that worked,
mostly on rural or unpaved roads through farmlands of the Ottawa region, and Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, and Frontenac counties. We also planned to explore a section of the Cataraqui Trail, a converted rail bed from Smiths Falls to Napanee, with access points to many lock stations along the way. Then I had to find a way to fit all three of us and our gear, on two wheels. Annika, the really young one, was still too short for a single wheel tagalong) so I looked at ways
to allow her to get aboard the tandem. The solution was my Xtracycle Free Radical kit (see inset). It made the bike almost a metre longer, but it had enough space to carry all our gear and mount Annika’s child seat. After a neighbourhood test run that drew curious glances, our touring rig was ready.
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
GEAR CHECKLIST CAMP Tent/tent ground sheet/tarp Sleeping bags Self inflating sleeping pads Pillow or rolled jacket/sweater Rope – 15 metres Clothespins Camp lantern/table light – crank powered KITCHEN Single-burner stove Single pot (medium) with lid Small non-stick pan Coffee press Mugs/water bottles Plates/bowls Cutlery (fork/spoon or spork) Flexible chopping mat Single- or multi-blade knife Spice kit Can opener Small utensil kit – wisk, flipper,
It wasn’t until we were under way that the thought occurred – what exactly do you do with two kids on a bike for six days? Conversation usually centered on the next snack or ice cream break. The rest of the time, games of “I Spy,” knock-knock jokes, story-telling, and many, many songs did the trick. We talked about what we saw along the road and counted the animals we spotted. We tried counting boxcars on passing
trains as they flashed by at level crossings. Sometimes we simply pedalled in silence and enjoyed the view. During our six days we visited one provincial park (Rideau River, just outside Kemptville) and four lock stations – Merrickville and Smiths Falls (great for boat-watching), Jones Falls (history and swimming), and then Upper Brewer’s locks just before our final push to Kingston,
scraper Soap/dish towel/scrub pad Mutli-colour stuff sacks
CLOTHING Rain jacket/pants Riding or walking shoes/ sandals for camp Helmets Sun and rain hats Bug shirts or hats 2 or 3 T-shirts Warm sweater – wool or fleece 2 or 3 pair shorts/skirts Single pair long pants Bathing suits Swim towels MISCELLANEOUS First aid kit Sunscreen Umbrella Camera Headlamps Maps
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
Gaspésie National Park
A vacation destination to see and feel! Hike in the forest, through the mountains, along the shore or on a beach, with or without a guide, for several hours or several days—the choice is yours! Québec maritime offers all this and more.
Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada (Duplessis)
Plan your vacation online:
www.seeandfeel.ca/hike Entry Island (Îles de la Madeleine)
Bic National Park (Bas-Saint-Laurent)
Photos: M. Dupuis/Sépaq, M. Deslongchamps/Tourisme Duplessis, S. Larose, M. Pitre - Enviro foto/Sépaq
BIKE Flat repair kit – tube/patch kit/ tire boot/pump Multi-tool including chain breaker Spare brake and shift cable Spare spokes front and rear wheel Spare chain links Assorted nuts/bolts Front/rear battery or dynamo powered lights Front and rear panniers Handle bar bag Water bottles
ottawa outdoors 21
home of City Park, a children’s play and water destination. Back home, when the kids were asked what they did for summer vacation, stories of their trek came to life in vivid detail. With the end of another school year coming up, the only question is, where do we go next, not whether. «oo
~Brad Kukurudz manages the service shop at Tall Tree Cycles. He’ll be running a family cycling and touring workshop this summer at the Carp Ridge Learning Centre.
TIPS ON BIKING WITH KIDS • Be flexible with menus and involve the kids in the decisions. A favourite for us was bagels and cream cheese. • Water. Kids drink when you do. Pee before departure. • Eat out sometimes. A roadside eatery is a nice break from the one-pot meal. • Plan a day off for play midway through the trip. Kids need a down day. • Bring toys. A beach ball can double for soccer, volleyball or baseball. Skipping ropes take up little space and water balloons are a hit. A secret stash of activity books or games helps too. • Bring colour-coded stuff-sacks for food and clothes. • Remember it’s not the destination, but the journey. Have fun and let the kids dictate the rest stops. WEBSITES • www.mec.ca for camping and cooking gear • www.talltreecycles.ca for bicycles, touring accessories advice • www.rideau-info.com/canal all about everything on the Rideau River and its lock stations • www.xtracycle.com bolt-on kit for extra cargo • www.gobiking.ca for a detailed list of trails and other links 22 ottawa
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Pure water Backcountry purification systems 101 BY KATHLEEN WILKER Everyone needs water to stay healthy and active outdoors, and it’s easy to bring water from home for a day trip. But a longer trip means finding water as you go. Don’t drink from that crystal-clear, fast-running stream – an intestinal disease called giardia by the doctor and “beaver fever” by hikers may be lurking, and its parasites are too small to see. Safe water comes from boiling it, filtering it, or treating it with bacteria-killing tablets. It’s not a slam dunk. Before boiling or filtering water, choose it carefully. From the shore, collect the clearest, debris-free, running water you can get. In a boat, paddle to the middle of the river or lake to scoop it up. Use clean containers. Don’t collect water in the same containers you’re going to use to store pure water – an easy mistake that can make you sick. Sugars in fruit juice can still grow bacteria in a recycled bottle, so clean containers thoroughly. Boil water at a rolling boil for five minutes – a few bubbles is NOT a rolling boil – to kill all bacteria. This is a safe method to purify your water, but requires fuel or firewood, time to boil the water and time to cool it afterwards. If you’re using purification tablets instead of boiling water, use a brand approved by the Red Cross. They are effective against giardia, bacteria, and viruses. You can get tablets that purify one litre at a time or 20 litres from $7 to $20. In a pinch, iodine works, but it’s
unhealthy for people with thyroid conditions and it tastes awful. There are three ways to purify water without chemicals or fuel for boiling: MANUAL PUMPS These are light enough to take hiking, attach easily to a standard water bottle and include a long plastic pipe with a purifying filter on the nozzle to place in the water source. Prices vary according to how fast you can filter water and how much water you can purify before you need to replace the clogged up ceramic or carbon filters. About $80 gets you a good quality pump. If you’re pumping forever and getting only a trickle, your filter needs cleaning. Back home, take the pump apart and let the filters dry out. Replacement parts are available.
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
BEAR ATTACK
ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT PENS Spend $100-$130 and you’ll have a personal water purification system that works by zapping bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. You just take your ultraviolet light pen, insert it into your water, flick it on, and in 90 seconds the ultraviolet rays mess with the DNA of the bacteria and the water is pure. Just like that. This is a purification system, not a filter, so you’ll want to use it with clear water or filter it so you’re not drinking particles and tiny corpses. «oo
If, in spite of all your precautions, you do happen to encounter a bear: 1. Don’t panic and run away. Running is a signal to the bear that you are prey and may trigger an attack. Bears are very fast and are capable of speeds more than twice that of the average human. 2. Don’t climb a tree. Black bears are excellent climbers. 3. Stand your ground and back away slowly, talking in a firm voice. If you have bear spray, get it ready for use. A bear banger or other noisemaker such as an air horn have also been recommended by some people (but others say that loud noise may provoke the bear). 4. If the bear charges, it may be bluffing, so wait to see if it continues to within several metres before using bear spray. A concentrated blast of spray in the face will be more effective then a diffused cloud. 5. Some experts advise that you play dead if the bear is a grizzly and to fight back if it is a black bear. Others say play dead until the bear is obviously feeding on you, then fight back.
Bic National Park
A vacation destination to see and feel! Bas-Saint-Laurent offers ideal conditions for sea kayaking. Explore the majestic St. Lawrence River and discover islands and lighthouses. Paddle along the shoreline and share the water with numerous seabirds, seals and whales!
Plan your vacation online:
www.seeandfeel.ca/bsl For more information about Bas-Saint-Laurent: 1-800-563-5268
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
Kamouraska
Photos: M. Laverdière, P. Rambaud/Le Cyclope, É. St-Pierre, M. Dupuis/Sépaq
GRAVITY FILTER About $70 to $100 will buy you a base-camp water filter that relies on gravity instead of pumping. The price varies depending on the rate of water filtering – from 1.5 litres a minute to five litres per hour, and they hold about 10 litres of water. Great for group camping.
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To sleep, perchance to dream So choose a sleeping pad with care BY KATHLEEN WILKER
My 10-year-old army surplus self-inflating sleeping pad saw me through three tree-planting seasons and countless backcountry canoeing trips. But then the valve leaked an audible hiss, the patches no longer held up overnight and my over-30 body demanded better sleep to handle tomorrow’s trail. It was time for a replacement. But the dazzling range of new styles and models at my outdoor store were a challenge, and an eventual knowledge stash for readers. Here’s the latest, greatest and not quite great. • Prices range from $40-$250, so first ask yourself these sleepy-time questions: • How lightweight do I need to go? Am I still a backcountry camper? • How cold do I get at night, so how much insulation do I need? • How much time do need for set-up? Am I willing to inflate the pad myself or do I need a self-inflating model?
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Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Sleeping Pad
This is a lightweight, compact sleeping pa with incredible loft and insulation, costing to $118 depending on length. Pros: So much loft, it’s as cozy as your ow bed. Includes insulation too. Cons: Take a deep breath. You supply the air to inflate this mattress and your hot brea could mean mould in your camping future. dry it thoroughly after trips. Weight ranges from about 0.7-0.9 kg and packs down to a roll about 20x10 or 25x15 c
Rating: *****
Therm-A-Rest Prolite Plus Wom
Women-specific designs are shor the hips and toes, where wome Pros: Without sacrificing padding where you ne cold nights. Cons: At $8 Its 680 brin
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
Exped Downmat 9 Pump Deluxe This is the most luxurious – and costly, $230 – sleep you can imagine, insulated with ultra lightweight goose down. Pros: Perfect for pampering yourself with a cozy sleep on snow. Keeps colder and older campers going hard all year round. Cons: Comes in only one length and some users complain it’s more slippery at night than self-inflating mattresses. Requires its own pump. It weighs 1.26 kg (mattress plus pump), has good durability and packs down to 38x18 cms.
ad $86
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it cms.
men’s
Rating: ****
ter than regular mattresses and offer more insulation at en get coldest. g space or adding weight to your pack, you get extra eed it. Almost four cms. of loft will keep you cozy on
85, slightly more expensive than standard models. 0 grams pack down to 28x12 cms. Good durability but ng along a patch kit for possible leaks.
Rating: ****
Thermarest Z-Lite This accordion-style, folding-egg-shell mattress is just a step up from your dad’s Canadian Tire blue-foam mattress. Pros: It will last forever and it’s cheap ($35). There’s no valve to break or seams to weaken. It can be cut into useful pack liners that double as lightweight cushions for a canoe or sitting by a campfire. Cons: offers little warmth or comfort. No problem to carry at a light 420 grams, but it remains a bulky item you’ll probably strap to the outside of your pack.
Rating: *
Thermarest Coupler A compact, lightweight strap and buckle for linking two mattresses so couples can cuddle without falling into a gap. Costs $13.95. Pros: Maybe a cute wedding present for an outdoorsy couple? Cons: Two camping mattresses are much narrower than a double bed, so this is a squished sleeping choice. With a long strap and a buckle, you could make your own version. It’s lightweight, but these aren’t the strongest straps you’ve ever seen.
Rating: ** www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
ottawa outdoors 25
Mixing natural treasures and local history BY EMMA JACKSON Pinhey’s Point Historic Site is not exactly hidden, but when city-dwelling outdoor enthusiasts first come upon it, they often find it surprisingly fulfils a lot of their inner naturalist. The 35-hectare site along the Ottawa River in Dunrobin just north of Kanata features a walking path, and a restoration of the historic home built between 1820 and 1840. The stone foundation of the original clapboard cabin is still there, and later stone additions from as early as 1822 are intact and stabilized. And if you’re coming by boat, there’s a sheltered bay with a public dock on the waterfront. For the outdoors person keen to learn about Ottawa’s history, Pinhey’s Point is one of those rare locations where cultural and natural history come together.
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Hamnett Kirkes Pinhey arrived in 1820 to establish himself as part of Canada’s gentry. Settling in the wilds of March Township, he soon became a prominent politician and businessman in the Ottawa Valley, and his stone home, named Horaceville after his son, was tangible proof of his achievements. It sat on an escarpment for steamboat passengers, fur traders, merchants, timber men and travellers to see. Today, much tangible evidence of that era remains, with a house still a beautiful sight for boaters, and functioning as a museum to chronicle the family’s influence in the region. But the grounds alone can make Pinhey’s Point worth a visit. It’s off the beaten track and can be hard to find if you’re not watching for the signs, but that’s part of the adventure, whether you arrive by boat or car. Often only true enthusiasts show up, making the site more of an escape from crowded city life than other riverfront parks. A path crisscrosses the grounds, which are home to all kinds of wild birds and animals. Barns as well as ruins from the original kitchen, ash house and log cabin surround the museum. In summer, the park’s natural amphitheatre, set off by mature trees and highlighted by wildflowers, suits anyone from sun worshippers, to picnickers or kids who want a roll down the grassy slope.
Canoes, kayaks, and punts tie up at the dock, either as a destination or a pit stop. Yacht skippers and crew from local watercraft clubs find the Point an excellent halfway spot for a picnic before tacking home. And it’s kid-friendly: They can join programs for junior naturalists, archaeologists and gardeners, to hunt for wildlife, learn hidden meanings of the landscape and develop a green thumb. There are activities for all ages. The longstanding Creatures of the Night program on June 19 particularly seeks out nocturnal foragers like
bats, raccoons and fireflies, but also beaver, fishers and birds. The annual Riverfest celebration June 27 the focuses on water ecology, the history of the Ottawa River and its importance in the community – played out by music and drama, often local folk musicians. This show has been augmented by the new Experience Backpacks events, with scavenger hunts and other family activities. The museum is open Wednesday to Friday from noon to 5 p.m., and weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but visitors can explore the grounds even when the museum is closed. Check it out at www.ottawa.ca/museums and discover Ottawa’s hidden natural gem. «oo ~ Emma Jackson is an Ottawa-area journalist who enjoys hiking, camping and canoeing any chance she can. www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
PHOTO CREDITS: COUVRETTE/OTTAWA (613) 238-5104 - WWW.COUVRETTE-PHOTOGRAPHY.ON.CA
Pinhey’s Point
Definition: Riverbug
pron./: bug [buhg]
1. any insect or insectlike invertebrate. 2. a defect or imperfection, as in a mechanical device, computer program 3. a whitewater solo inflatable craft with pontoons and a seatbelt guaranteed to give you a taste of the rapids you’ve not quite experience before. Welcome to the new species invading the Ottawa River (and everywhere else in Canada) this spring. To give you the clear defintion to what this boating craft is, here’s the press release: “The Riverbug is a solo inflatable craft, shaped like an easy chair with pontoons. It has a seat belt to help you stay put. You steer it by using flippers and webbed gloves called propulsion gloves. By propelling yourself sideways or backwards, and shifting your weight to take advantage of the current, you can do most manoeuvres and rapids that a canoe or kayak can do. The Riverbug is very light therefore it’s easily portaged and can be checked as luggage on the airlines. Whitewater manoeuvres are easy and it is great for fishing on rivers, for soloing with a group of canoes or kayaks, for shooting action videos from eddies in the centre of rapids, but most of all because it makes learning to scout and run rivers possible for a group made up of varying skill levels. It also provides a full body workout.” Invented in New Zealand in early ‘90s, Don Allardice (one of the pioneers of the sport) says this: “The riverbug is to paddling what snowboards are to alpine.” You wear a wetsuit or dry suit when you riverbug because you’re going to get wet. You also wear a lifejacket, a helmet, fins, propulsion gloves and booties. You’re guaranteed to have a great time! For more information go ahead and contact Trailhead at www.trailhead.ca/ (613-722-4229). To see more action videos go to www.riverbug.me/. Kayak_ad
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Do you know these 3 plants? Take the test below and see Plant #1 This plant has three leaves, or sometimes anywhere from five to nine?
Plant #2 This plant can grow in a vine-like form or as a shrub?
Looking to rent a cottage?
Cottage Rental
Enjoy Roy’s Retreat at Battle Lake - Val-Des-Monts – 35 minutes from Ottawa
Renting for June, Sept and October - $1,400/wk • Waterfront, 3 bedroom family cottage newly renovated and decorated • Screened upper porch (12x24) offers beautiful lakefront views and lower deck for sunbathing • Property has sun from morning until evening, enjoy the beautiful sunsets from the dock • Private lake with gated boat access, private dock. Lake is annually stocked with Rainbow Trout, Perch and Bass. Fishing Lisence required • Loons, herons and ducks are frequent visitors to the dock. • Excellent swimming from dock, no beach. • Take long walks thru the beautiful treed trails • Great for quiet couples, young children not recommended due to deep water at dock • Beautiful rock gardens to enjoy and outdoor chimenea for evening fires or toasting wieners or marshmellows (prongs provided) • 3 bedrooms, 2 w/queen beds, 1 double, newer matress’s, new hotel quality bedding provided • Flat Screen TV with DVD, VHS, Library of Movies, CD and AM/FM radio, Reading Library • Board Games, Outdoor Dart Board • Peddle boat, canoe and rowboat, adult life jackets, water toys
www.cottagesincanada.com/roysretreat
Visit the website to email the owner to book your relaxing escape.
Plant #3 This plant has leaves that can change colours seasonally and may even appear yellow-green in the spring, ony green in the summer, and red or yellow in the early fall?
• BodyComp Bootcamp ($350.00/Session - 8 - 12 p max) • BodyContour Personal Training & Kettlebell Programs • Private Strength & Conditioning
Yup. They’re all the same plant. Poison Ivy. Learn to recognize it. You’ll be glad you did. www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
West End - Team Training Centre 613 697 6510 - info@capitalsc.com www.capitalsc.com
Owner/Trainer Pierre Auge
ottawa outdoors 29
GOBANDIT GPS HD ACTION CAMERA – $399.00 Mountain bikers, skiers, windsurfers or skydivers – thanks to gobandit’s GPSHD Camera, athletes and adrenaline junkies can now not only log their top speeds, but also preserve every meter of their performance in HD quality. The GPSHD is the first action camera to include GPS technology – a unique method of integrating sports performance data into video footage. The new software supplied with the camera enables athletes to edit their footage simply and quickly into adrenaline-powered documents of sporting achievements. Look for it at www.gobandit.com
MEC BIG AGNES SEEDHOUSE TENT– $255.00 A “real” tent, with real living space, for the weight of a bivy sack (1.3kg). Thanks to slick new fabrics, the trail-ready Seedhouse SuperLight weighs an astonishing 1.1kg. Solo travellers, distance hikers, touring cyclists, and other lightweight fanatics will be right at home in this tent. Because the floor is ultralight, the optional footprint is highly recommended for maximum tent life. Look for it at www.mec.ca
GIO E-SCOOTER – $599.00 Guess what’s sweeping the country? These battery-powered E-Scooters. If you love biking around the city on the paths then you’ll equally love scooting along as well. It follows the same rules as a regular bike, so no licence is needed, but you must be 16 and wear a helmet. Sure it’s not as healthy for you, but it is a greener way to get around than taking your car (plus no parking fees). Loaded with safety features (horn, signal), limited in speed (24-32km/hr) to keep all safe, and loads of storage for your laptop or schoolbag...you can’t miss. So if you can’t pedal the bike, or don’t want to get too sweaty when you get to where you’re going (like your job), then this is your ticket to ride. Look for it at www.giobikes.com
COOL GEAR SCOSCHE ELECTRONIC ITEMS For your urban lifestyle, here’s a few cool bluetooth items to keep you charged. First is the solBAT II ($29.99), solar powered backup battery and charger. It’s really cool this just hooks on to your backpack or anywhere and charges you up. If you’re using brining your gadgets camping, this is a must. Second, there’s the Bluetooth headphones ($99) which have 30 feet of wireless range, pure digital quality sound and even allows you to enjoy answer hands free phone calls . Works with a rechargeable battery and provides you with up to eight hours of playtime. Third is the iPhone Key Chain Charger ($19.99) which attaches to your keychain and you can conveniently charge and sync your iPod or iPhone using USB 2.0 for fastest data transfer possible. Look for it at www.scosche.com.
TUNEBUG SHAKE – $119.95 This trendy new ultraportable sound generator enables you to drop the earphones and via bluetooth technology turn your entire helmet into a set of speakers wirelessly. It works for bike, ski and skate helmets, which can be connected to iPods, MP3 players, mobile phones, or any other portable music device wirelessly using Bluetooth technology or by audio cable. When mounted on one of these helmets, the Shake creates a surround sound experience and provides a great solution for bikers, skateboarders and skiers to avoid the danger of being unaware of their surrounding by having earphones in. It has a rechargeable battery with about 5 hours of playtime and charges via the included USB cord. Fill your helmet with surround sound music. Look for it at www.tunebug.com.
THERMACELL OUTDOOR LANTERN – $32.00 The ThermaCELL Outdoor Lantern operates on a single butane cartridge, which heats a mat releasing allethrin, a synthetic copy of a natural insecticide found in pyrethrum flowers, creating a 15 x 15 foot comfort zone. Each repellent mat provides up to four hours of protection and each butane cartridge provides up to 12 hours of operation. Look for it at www.thermacell.com
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www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
HOT CLOTHING LIQUID LOGIC SPEEDLOADER THROW BAG – $59.00 For close to 20 years, paddlers have used throw bags for safety, lowering boats, and rescue. The Speedloader takes the hassle out of repacking the rope after use. The bottom of the bag is flat so that it will sit upright on a rock or beach and the three-leafed design lets the top open super wide, making it fast and easy to reload. After stuffing the rope back into the bag, simply draw the top string tight, tuck the sides in and snap the compression strap buckle in place to make the bag tight and compact. Look for it at www.liquidlogickayaks.com.
KODAK PLAYSPORT VIDEO CAMERA – $135.96 Designed for the active and adrenaline junkies, the Kodak PlaySport Video Camera is rugged, waterproof and compact allowing you to easily capture and share your favourite moments. Whatever your activity the Kodak PlaySport can follow you underwater up to 3m or capture a bumpy bike ride with built-in image stabilization and record it all in full 1080p HD. The Kodak PlaySport also allows you to share your HD videos on FACBOOK, YouTube and TWITTER sites with ease. Built-in software and USB cable make editing, uploading and sending e-mails simple. Look for it at Kodak.ca
DRIFT INNOVATIONS X170 HELMET CAMERA – $219.95 Are looking for high quality video without the hefty price tag and massive system requirements of HD video? Look no further than the Drift Innovations X170 Helmet Camera. It’s loaded with features that many of its pricier counterparts lack – like an LCD screen for lining up the perfect shot and an RF remote to shoot shorter clips, saving precious storage space, batteries and edit time. The Drift X170 offers an ingenious 170 degree field of view that captures your peripheral vision, giving a realistic perspective of speed. When it comes to features, value, and high quality resolution, the Drift X170 is impossible to beat! Look for it at www.pointofviewcameras.ca MEN’S ORIGINAL MOUNTAIN PANT - $72.95 A little bit country, a little bit rock-n-roll. For the Renaissance Man who lives his life from bike trail to board room, our OMP is the pant for you. Designed for all aspects of the outdoor lifestyle and real-life calls of duty, our OMP is our signature pant and best seller. With a shelf-life that’ll outlast your underwear, OMP’s often go for days at a time without needing a dunk in the wash. That’s what we’re told, anyway. Available in 5 colors to accessorize with your sunglasses. Check ‘em out, you’ll thank us later. Look for it at www.mountainkhakis.com
EARTHLUST STAINLESS WATER BOTTLES – $18.00 Earthlust bottles are more than a replacement for wasteful plastic water bottles. The unique patterns decorating each bottle with coordinating shell and cap colors, and the limited edition quantities of each design make Earthlust bottles a fashion commodity and lifestyle statement for each user. Earthlust products can be purchased through the companyís website and at specialty retailers across the country. Look for it at www.earthlust.com
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
HIGH PEAK ALPAMAYO 55 MOUNTAIN BACKPACK – $94.00 High Peak Sinnex Sport Alpamayo 55 backpack is a must-have for the outdoor enthusiast. The camping equipment’s capacity is 3500 cubic inches and the hiking rucksack incorporates adjustable back system for a comfortable fit. There’s an extendable top lid with pocket, a 3-Dmolded foam backing, EVA foam shoulder straps, adjustable chest and hip belts, and even bellow and front pockets for your stuff. Look for it wherever High Peak packs are sold.
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Useful photography gadgets BY ALLEN MACARTNEY
Photography gadgets. I’ve got lots of them. But how many really improve picture taking and make it easier to capture that perfect image? Let’s look at nine gadgets that everyone should own. You’ll find all these products (or similar ones) in local camera stores. Gorillapod. ($45) This utterly outstanding and versatile mini tripod will grip anything from a canoe gunnel to a pine tree when you need a steady surface for shooting digital photos or video. It fits easily into any pack. SpyderCube. ($40) Everyone from advanced amateurs to professional photographers will want a SpyderCube. This tiny cube-like gadget will ensure that colours are perfectly balanced, not faded or washed out. Also, it will show you where the light is coming from – even on a dull, cloudy day. Lightweight monopod. ($45-$85) If you don’t want to lug around a tripod during an outdoor adventure, at least carry an aluminum monopod. Monopods have a built-in camera attachment on the top so you can take a photo even in relative low light without blurring the image. The best monopods also have a contoured hand grip so they double as a walking pole. Manfrotto, Velbon, and Induro make sturdy ones. 32 ottawa
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Ensolite pad. ($10) Available from any outdoor store for about $10, an ensolite pad is a must when shooting flowers or bugs at grass or knee-level. Simply lay this lightweight pad down on wet or rough ground, and you’ll be able to shoot comfortably for as long as you want. Camera backpack. ($70-$90) Several manufacturers make excellent ones, including Lowepro, Tamrac and Roots. Backpacks come in all sizes and shapes. Get a compact one with wide comfortable straps, durable water-resistant fabric and protective foam dividers. Camera bag. ($60-$90) Some people prefer a camera shoulder bag to a backpack. Avoid large, heavy bags. They get left in the car. Stick to a medium-size one that will protect one camera, two lenses and several gadgets. Tamrac, Lowepro and Roots make a wide range of bags with adjustable foam-padded internal dividers that will fit any camera/lens.
Ultraviolet filter. ($55) An ultraviolet filter will protect your expensive camera lens from scratches and other damage. Choose a 1A filter, which has a slight pinkish blush that will “warm” your images imperceptibly. Camera strap. ($20-$40) Why do we always forget this item? But a good, comfortable strap protects your expensive camera when you drop it – and that happens to all of us sometime! Get one with quick release buckles (for ease of use), and extra padding (for comfort). Spotting binoculars. ($60-$90) Why does a photographer need binoculars? Good question. All beautiful scenes are actually made up of a series of stunning images. Your brain just puts them all together in an imperceptible mosaic. Most photographers see only the single, obvious scene, then walk away not realizing that there are probably five to ten equally beautiful pictures tucked into the one panorama. Compact binoculars help single those other shots out of the beautiful clutter. Nikon and Bushnell make excellent binoculars with multi-coated lenses and textured pads. ~ Allen Macartney has had photographs exhibited in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
Dragon Boating Facts and Terms Originated in China over 2000 years ago and emerged in modern times as an international “sport” in Hong Kong in 1976. The drummer or caller may be considered the “heartbeat” of the dragon boat. Good callers should be able to synchronize the drumming cadence with the strokes of the leading pair of paddlers, rather than the other way around. The leading pair of paddlers, called “pacers,” “strokes” or “timers,” set the pace for the team. The paddlers sit facing forwards and synchronize with the stroke or pacer on the opposite side of the boat. The direction of the dragon boat is set by the sweep, rather than by the paddlers. The sweep, known also as the steersman controls the dragon boat with a sweep oar rigged at the rear of the boat. Now you know.
JUNE 18 - 20 2010 MOONEYS BAY PARK, OTTAWA
North America’s Largest Dragon Boat Festival Free Admission Live Bands Non-stop Racing Children’s Area
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
ottawa outdoors 33
Women saddling up in confidence Clubs offer gender-aware approaches to cycling, with focus on camaraderie BY SHEILA ASCROFT
Riding a bike is as easy as, well, riding a bike, but some women would like more than just wheels and an open road. They welcome skills instruction a confidence-building atmosphere and companions who don’t intimidate them. In the National Capital Region, three groups are dedicated to women’s cycling: CycleFit Chicks Club, Women on Wheels and Larocca XC Mountain Bike School. Cyclefit Chicks Cycling Club This three-year-old, women-only club offers a support system for any level of road rider. “We want people to not feel intimidated about joining the club,” says Sylvie D’Aoust, its creator. “This
is a place for women of any age to improve and get in shape, have fun and become better cyclists.” In 2009, there were 50 members, from their mid-20s to mid-60s in this Ottawa-Gatineau-club, which is affiliated with the Euro-Sports bike shop.
The Chicks club starts riding in early May. Monday nights are dedicated to technical rides where cyclists can learn about riding in a group, handling hills, cornering, balance, and even unclipping from a pedal without falling over. On Wednesdays, members are encouraged to join the Women on Wheels group (see below) for a loop in the Gatineau Park and on Sundays, the Chicks club has its own group ride. Membership costs $100 (returning members get 10 per cent off) and includes a free but mandatory basic bike skills course on Sundays, May 2, 9 and 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Membership also gets you two, twohour bike maintenance workshops (May 7 and 21, from 6 to 8 p.m.). D’Aoust says a vital part of the club is being actively involved with the community. “Each member is asked volunteer some time during the season,” either with Chicks or Somersault Promotions, which conducts local triathlon, duathlon and Kids of Steel races. In turn, members get a $30 discount towards the next year’s membership fee. Women on Wheels Beth Mansfield, a sport nutritionist and exercise physiologist with Peak Performance (www.peakperformance.ca), started Women on Wheels (WOW) with a few friends who loved
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cycling. The informal group of female cyclists shares a passion for cycling each Wednesday evening on a 42-kilometre loop in Gatineau Park. Riders meet at 6 p.m. (May-August) or earlier (September and October) in the Gamelin parking lot in Gatineau. “WOW is about encouraging women to sweat now and age later!” says Mansfield. “Last year we had a core group of 30 women who regularly came out to ride on Wednesday nights.”
LaroccaXC Mountain School & Creative Wheel Centre Dominique Larocque, a sport psychology consultant and retired world-class athlete, operates a mountain bike school on her 43-hectare training base in Val-desMonts, Que. While her niche for the 12 past years has been women and children, she says more men are showing up to perfect their skills on her single-track trails. With women and men riding together, “we have had incredible results coaching women to a whole new level of fitness and skills, increasing their enjoyment of the sport,” she says. Larocque has several new instructional programs to meet women-only and co-ed demand. They are:
“WOW is about encouraging women to sweat now and age later!”
June Co-ed Training Camps Beth Mansfield Each Saturday and Sunday in June, she To keep the groups manageable, offers three-hour instructional the women are divided into three or clinics that cater to the specific four packs of similar speeds. The avneeds of her riders. The morning erage pace is 25 km/hour on the flats class is for beginners, afternoons for and, although it slows down on the intermediate riders and evenings for hills, the intensity of the effort is high! advanced cyclists. Participants can More experienced riders are exstay the day and practice, or join pected to help newer or less expethe club and get access to the trails rienced women cyclists with proper every Friday to Sunday, from June to group riding technique and etiquette. November. ($65 + trail improvement “Safety is the most important thing fee and insurance) here,” Mansfield says. While this is not a formal club and The Club – Thursday night women-only has no fees, all its cyclists must carry rides a spare tire and pump and be able to change a flat, have a full water bottle This Ontario and a snack if needed, and always Cycling Association wear a helmet. affiliated club is The group has also organized co-ed, but offers a a “buddies of women on wheels” special program on (BOWOW) group for male friends or Thursday evenings partners who want to ride. This group for women. Through leaves Gamelin a few minutes before the club membership the fastest women’s group. ($175), women can ride the trails at the www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
Centre (Friday to Sunday) and meet other like-minded women who love cycling. Club rides in April to mid May take place on the road and move to trails in the Gatineau Park/ Kanata Lakes until October. Women can also join the kids & youth highperformance rides on Wednesday evening. Three-hour Group Instruction “Women constantly underestimate their abilities,” Larocque says. “Most are so much better than they imagine.”This course (seven person max.) will increase riders’ confidence and bike skills. It’s for total beginners needing to learn the basics, or for intermediate riders wanting to correct and fine-tune. She asks participants to be honest about their skill level. Cost: $146.02 per person. ($75 + trail improvement fee and insurance) Private Mountain Bike Instruction If you want more one-on-one attention, she also has a customized three-hour instruction course (cost: $146.02). ($95/person + trail improvement fee and insurance) Spoke by Spoke (July 26, five-day camp) This is a pilot project where Dominique hopes to empower young girls aged 11 to 14 through cycling. «oo
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FEATURED ARTIST
Shelley Leach The Dumoine Rover ‘in paint’ Shelley’s future as an artist seemed destined. Born in Kingston Ontario, she grew up in a military family. Her father a career army officer, her mother a landscape/military artist. Showing a keen interest in the arts Shelley’s mother taught her the fundamentals of painting at a very young age. By seven Shelley was accompanying Canadian artists in the field. Shelley’s goal is to seek, experience, and record the unique character of the Canadian landscape through artistic impression. In 2008 on a recreational trip, Shelley began to create the first series of oil paintings documenting the Dumoine River’s own unique wilderness qualities. In 2008 and 2009 Shelley traveled the upper portions of the Dumoine River from Lac Dumoine through to Lac La Forge. The journey into Dumoine was done via logging roads. In 2010 Shelley will fly into the area on a DeHavilland DHC-2 Beaver, then travel out by canoe to continue her journey and series of paintings. Over a period of years, and methods of exploration, Shelley hopes to create a series of painting’s that not only document but leave a lasting interpretation of the Dumoine Wilderness for all present and future generations there by granting “access” to all. This is a continuing series. The 2010 expedition to Dumoine is being made possible in part with support of material resources from Trailhead Adventure Sports and The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) through public display works produced. To learn more visit www.shelleyleach.com/. Tradenet Canada 1/3 Page Ad:Layout 3 6/24/09 6:03 PM of Page 1
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ottawa outdoors 37
Urban farmer grows really, really local veggies And he’ll deliver them to your door BY KATHLEEN WILKER
he says. Selecting five plots totalling Jesse Payne grows organic vegjust over 800 square metres, Payne etables on borrowed land in central signed contracts with the owners Ottawa, an operation called The about water usage and payment in Vegetable Patch which he started vegetables. two years ago when he was laid off “I’m starting a Post-a-Patch opfrom a high tech job. “I wanted to tion on my website to promote more work for myself and I wanted to work land sharing,” says Payne, who wants outside,” says Payne, who grew up in to capitalize on people’s generosity Carleton Place and honed his green to promote low-impact, organic city thumb as a volunteer organic farmer life. Like a ride board, where people in Nelson, B.C. post offers and requests for rides, The Vegetable Patch began after Payne’s Post-a-Patch is to be a forum Payne asked people living in Ottawa’s for people to offer and request small city centre to donate unused patches of land. “Lots of people want land for him to farm. Payne was to garden but don’t have land to overwhelmed by the response. “I had4/1/10 do so, and lots of people with land EP30006K Massage Chair ad_v7.pdf 10:16:09 AM over 80 people offer plots of land,” would rather see it growing vegeta-
bles instead of grass,” says Payne. When the site is up and running, Payne will also post the contract he uses with land owners. “We made arrangements for me to offset the cost of land owners’ water bills if they were substantially higher because of my water usage, but in the two years I’ve been doing this, I’ve only had to water once,” Payne says. He’s sold at roadside stands before, but last year Payne operated a CSA or Community Supported Agriculture Co-op on the land he was farming. Close to 50 people bought shares at the beginning of the season and received weekly baskets of fresh vegetables delivered to their door.
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Land owners got the same in return for donating their land. Operating a CSA was a challenge and a reward for Payne, who still supplements his farming income with software development. The CSA concept works because the farmer has a definite income up front to buy seeds and prepare the soil, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pressure to deliver those weatherdependent vegetable baskets customers have already paid for. Last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weather was â&#x20AC;&#x153;horrific,â&#x20AC;? Payne recalls. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The season started off cold and rainy and then it was superhot and my new seedlings burntâ&#x20AC;? and it took five weeks longer than he thought it would to make deliveries. But the weather improved so much that Payne extended the season to the end of October, supplementing deliveries with surprises like homemade crab apple jelly and recipes. Payne wants to double garden space this year, and needs plots of at least 93 square metres (1,000 square feet). The weekly prep and delivery of all those baskets is time-consuming for a one-man operation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had lots of great volunteers out last year,â&#x20AC;? Payne remembers fondly, and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s looking for â&#x20AC;&#x153;extra hands to help with planting, weeding and harvesting.â&#x20AC;? If you live in Westboro, Hintonburg, Centretown and Nepean and want to reduce your 100-mile diet to a few kilometres, Payne offers a seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s delivery of 16 weekly baskets for $550, or eight biweekly baskets for $275. Check www.vegetablepatch.ca to find out more. Payne will add more locations if enough people sign up. ÂŤoo
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
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ottawa outdoors 39
The Bulletin Board
Otta Club wa Sports beach gets (4) and Soc near volleyba premier ial 5 nig Bronson ll courts week. hts of ga Park for w w w Sign up mes per . o s s c to pla .ca y at
Buy ticket s!!! Ge t
July 24-Aug 7
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Enter n sh ap e ! of So a bunch me Race rsault s!!
July 6-18
June 24 - July 4
Enter the Ottawa Outdoors contests to win a bike and kayak!
Outdoor Clubs GROUP NAME
WEBSITE
DESCRIPTION
Ottawa Orienteering Club
www.ottawaoc.ca
We organize and take part in orienteering events in the Ottawa area.
Ottawa Hostel Outdoor Club
http://ohoc.ncf.ca
A rec club with hiking, cycling, canoeing, skiing, and snowshoeing.
Rideau Trail Association
www.rideautrail.org
A hiking club dedicated to maintaining the trail from Kingston to Ottawa.
Ottawa Triathlon Club
www.ottawatriathlonclub.com
A recreational organization dedicated to teaching the enjoyment of tris.
Ottawa Bicycle Club
www.ottawabicycleclub.ca
Offers a range of cycling programs from novice to expert.
Kanata Mt. Bike Community
www.mtbkanata.com
We ride our bikes, then do something related to bikes.
Ottawa-Carleton Ultimate Assoc.
www.ocua.ca
The largest Ultimate (Frisbee) league in the world.
Ottawa Sport and Social Club
www.ossc.ca
A co-ed, rec sport league, with tourneys and social events for adults.
Ottawa Rowing Club
www.ottawarowingclub.com
Come see what rowing is like on the picturesque Ottawa River.
Liquid Skills Paddling Centre
www.liquidskills.com
Programs and clinics, kayak lessons, expeditions and teen camps.
Madawaska Kanu Centre
www.owl-mkc.ca
Kayak lessons in-city and on-site. Weekend clinics for the whole family.
Ottawa Sailing School
www.boattraining.com
They offer the highest quality sailing programs and on-the-water adventure.
Somersault Events
www.somersault.ca
Triathlons, duathlons, and running events for you or the entire family.
The Running Room
www.runningroom.com
Ottawaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s running and walking club for team fitness.
TriRudy
www.trirudy.com
Website and resource for duathlons and triathlons.
La RoccaXC Mt.Bike School
www.creativewheel.ca
Camp for boys and girls, women and men keen to enjoy mountain biking.
Wilderness Tours
www.wildernesstours.com
In addition to rafting they offer kayak lessons and adventure camps.
Owl Rafting
www.owl-mkc.ca
Rafting, sea-kayaking, lessons, plus adventure programs.
Esprit Rafting
www.espritrafting.com
Rafting, canoeing and several training and certification courses.
River Run Rafting
www.riverrunners.com
Rafting, family trips, kayaking, cabins and more.
Ottawa Rowing Club
www.ottawarowingclub.com
Come see what rowing is like on the picturesque Ottawa River.
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Event Calendar DATE
PURSUIT
May 01 May 01 May 02 May 02 May 02 May 04 May 08 May 08 May 09 May 09 May 09 May 11 May 11 May 15 May 15 May 15 May 16 May 16 May 22 May 22 May 22 May 29 May 29 May 29 May 30 May 29 May 29 May 30 Jun 01 Jun 04 Jun 05 Jun 05 Jun 05 Jun 05 Jun 05 Jun 05 Jun 06 Jun 06 Jun 08 Jun 10 Jun 12 Jun 12 Jun 12 Jun 12 Jun 12 Jun 13 Jun 13 Jun 15 Jun 18 Jun 19 Jun 19 Jun 19 Jun 19 Jun 20 Jun 20 Jun 20 Jun 20 Jun 25 Jun 26 Jun 29 Jul 03 Jul 10 Jul 13 Jul 17 Jul 17 Jul 17 Jul 18 Jul 25 Jul 25 Jul 31 Jul 31 Jul 31
Running / Walking Running / Walking Running / Walking Running / Walking Running / Walking Orienteering Running / Walking Running / Walking Running / Walking Orienteering Inline Skating Orienteering Running / Walking Running / Walking Running / Walking Running / Walking Orienteering Running / Walking Triathlon / Duathlon Adventure Racing Adventure Racing Running / Walking Paddling Running / Walking Orienteering Running / Walking Trail / Ultra Running Cycling Orienteering Cycling Running / Walking Running / Walking Running / Walking Running / Walking Adventure Racing Triathlon / Duathlon Orienteering Running / Walking Running / Walking Running / Walking Running / Walking Running / Walking Paddling Triathlon / Duathlon Running / Walking Running / Walking Triathlon / Duathlon Orienteering Dragonboat Running / Walking Running / Walking Paddling Adventure Racing Running / Walking Cycling Fitness / Health Triathlon / Duathlon Adventure Racing Adventure Racing Orienteering Triathlon / Duathlon Cycling Running / Walking Urban Racing Triathlon / Duathlon Cycling Running / Walking Cycling Cycling Running / Walking Triathlon / Duathlon Running / Walking
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EVENT TITLE
EVENT WEBSITE
Faster than a Pastor Triple A Run/Walk - Ottawa CBI Health Hustle for Hunger - Ottawa Place d’Orleans Half Marathon, 10k, 5k & 1k Runs Wylie Ryan May Day 1km run Brittania Park Welcome Meet Innovapost Share the Power of a Wish Walk/Run Defi du Printemps Kanata to Bank Street 32 Km Training Run P17 Gatineau Park near Wakefield Marathon Roller de Montréal 2010 Vincent Massey Park Beginner Clinic Beaver Chase Running Series Colonel By Classic 2010 Kenya Run - Ottawa Wylie Ryan Dow’s Lake 1km Run Pinhey’s Point 2010 Rehabili-Thon Ottawa Early Bird Triathlon Raid Pulse Adventure Race Sunchaser Challenge, Saranac Lake, NY 2010 Ottawa Marathon MEC Paddlefest - Ottawa Ottawa Race Weekend Timm Road Ottawa Marathon XTrail Asics Sutton Metropolitan Challenge Vincent Massey Park Summer Solstice #1 Un Tour la Nuit Ottawa 2010 Spring Sprint Ottawa Spring Sprint - 2010 The Weekend to End Breast Cancer - Ottawa Walk in the Park for Scleroderma 2010 Raid EnduranceAventure.com Fou Raid Triathlon Mont-Tremblant Stoney Swamp Montreal 2010 Spring Sprint Beaver Chase Running Series Barrhaven RunBarrhaven Run for Roger’s House Barrhaven Run for Rogers House Britannia Beach 2010 Ottawa Riverkeeper Canoe Relay Ottawa Riverkeeper Triathlon, Duathlon & Relays Wylie Ryan Quick Kids 2km Self-Transcendence 6 & 12Km Race Defi Triathlon Optimiste de Lachine Sportsplex & Pinhey Forest Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival Austin Wylie Aviation Museum 1km for Kids Emilie’s Run MEC Paddlefest - Montreal Raid Pulse Sprint AR Alterna Do It for Dad Preston Street Criterium Stroll for Liver Uplands Kids of Steel Ultimate XC Challenge Quest For A Cure Lac Beauchamp Summer Soltice Meet #5 Mike Collingwood Meech Lake Triathlon The Ride to Conquer Cancer - Montreal Beaver Chase Running Series Mitsubishi City Chase Presented By BlackBerry Mooney’s Bay Kids of Steel Ottawa Bicycle Club Grand Prix Hintonburg Centennial 5k The Voyageur Route The Voyageur Route National Capital 3km, 5km & 10km Runs National Capital Triathlon, Duathlon and Relays Wylie Ryan Surf & Turf 50m Swim/500m Run
Re i n t o g i s te r t r ac e h e s e s. Fe e l aw e s om e!
www.woodvale.on.ca www.runningroom.com www.runningroom.com www.somersault.ca www.somersault.ca www.ottawaoc.ca www.wishpower.innovapost.com www.defi-printemps.org www.kanatatobank.com www.ottawaoc.ca www.mtlroller42k.com www.ottawaoc.ca www.runottawaclub.com www.somersault.ca www.runningroom.com www.somersault.ca www.ottawaoc.ca www.lesrapides.ca www.somersault.ca www.raidpulse.com www.sunchaserchallenge.com www.ncm.ca www.mec.ca www.ncm.ca www.ottawaoc.ca www.runottawa.com www.xtrailasics.com www.velo.qc.ca www.ottawaoc.ca www.velo.qc.ca www.springsprint.ca www.runningroom.com www.ot10.endcancer.ca www.runningroom.com www.enduranceaventure.com www.triathlonmonttremblant.com www.ottawaoc.ca www.springsprint.ca www.runottawaclub.com www.barrhavenrun.ca www.eventsonline.ca www.somersault.ca www.somersault.ca www.somersault.ca www.somersault.ca www.ca.srichinmoyraces.org www.sportriple.com www.ottawaoc.ca www.dragonboat.net www.somersault.ca www.somersault.ca www.mec.ca www.raidpulse.com www.sportriple.com www.bikeraceottawa.com www.liver.ca www.ottawakidstri.ca www.ultimatexc.com www.questforacure.ca www.ottawaoc.ca www.meechlaketri.ca tinyurl.com/y8wkhzc www.runottawaclub.com www.campuschase.ca www.ottawakidstri.ca www.ottawabicycleclub.ca/grandprix www.hintonburg.com/run10.html www.CycleCanada.com/Voyageur.htm www.CycleCanada.com/Voyageur.htm www.somersault.ca/eventnationalcapitalrun.htm somersault.ca/eventnationalcapital.htm somersault.ca/eventsurfnturf.htm
ottawa outdoors 41
A few words on the green battery-charged E-Scooters In her recent press release, NCC CEO, Marie Lemay’s forward-thinking comments asked, “. . . do we want our National Capital Region to be bike- and pedestrian-friendly?” Obviously for Ottawa Outdoors readers, the answer is a resounding yes! Toronto we are not. We have our walking and biking paths and we love them. Should it be taken to the level being proposed in the downtown core, you will have your say when discussions begin. However, the rest of this article is for the praise of technology for another mode of transportation to get you where you’re going — the Gio Electric Scooter. This GIO E-Scooter is the ultimate alternative for Ottawa commuters that need a quick way to travel but do not want the expense of operating a vehicle or motorcycle. Classified as an electric bicycle (since pedals can be used), you just have to think of Europe and other countries to get your head around the friendliness and quaintness of these electric bikes as they putter along quietly on our wonderful pathways. You don’t have to register it and can operate it without any driver’s licence, but you have to be 16 and must wear a helmet. The surge in popularity in cities across Canada is most likely for a variety of reasons. They come fully equipped with safety features (signals, horn); they’re limited to only 24-32km per hour; they can travel up to 60kms on a single charge of the battery, and the website www.giobikes.com regularly has these selling at auction for only $250! Further research showed many Canadians stating they’re getting the Gio E-Scooter for around $600 shipping included, and the reviews are great. Each E-Scooter comes with front and rear lights, mirrors, and a soft plush carpet kit for your feet to rest on (if they’re not resting on the pedals). As well, an oversize seat and trunk box allows for plenty of storage (lunch, briefcase, laptop). It uses a key to start the battery, comes with a lock, and even has easy access storage to place your cell phone or iPod or any accessories you may have. If you love biking around the city on the paths then you’ll equally love scooting along as well. Sure it’s not as healthy for you, but it is a greener way to get around than taking your car (plus no parking fees). So if you can’t pedal the bike, or don’t want to get too sweaty when you get to where you’re going (like your job), then this is your ticket to ride. «oo
Book a Houseboat trip this summer! • Tour Big Rideau Lake or the Ottawa River • Rates start as low as $900 / 3-day wknd
• Rideau Lakes and Rideau Canal System • Travel the historic Rideau Canal west to Kingston and Lake Ontario and the Thousand Islands • Absolutely 100’s of miles of waterway with wonderful fishing and swimming, shopping and sleeping in the sun! • Tour the Upper Ottawa River with over 75 miles of pristine wilderness await you on the Upper Ottawa • Go West from our Marina to Mattawa for dinner For more • Travel the route of the Voyageurs information and sample the beauty of the 1-800-280-9390 Laurentian Mountain chain tumbling from their antlerslodge@netscape.net heights to water’s edge
www.WaterwayGetaway.com
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
ottawa outdoors 43
the back pages Learn to Kayak Courses
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Your next ski trip.
Stay On The Trails Respect any fences and close gates behind you BY ALEC BIALSKI
H
ikers ascending a trail have priority. This is because climbing is more difficult that descending and an uninterrupted breathing rhythm is needed when ascending. Step to the side and let the hiker pass, rather than walk along the trail on the grass or moss. This will prevent the destruction of slowgrowth plants and creation of ugly “braided” trails. Be courteous and respectful of other users of trails, including animals. When in groups avoid loud talk. Remember that bears have a very acute sense of hearing. Speak normally, do not shout. Be one with nature; do not pollute it with too much noise. Take back with you all your waste, such as hygiene products, packaging materials and so on and dispose of them at home or back at the trail head if there are garbage cans. Do not wash clothes or dishes in lakes and/or streams. You can wash your dishes by taking the water out of the stream; wash the dishes a few metres away from the body of water and dispose of the wash water on the ground away from shore. Say hello to other hikers on the trail and smile. You share one of the best shows on earth. «oo
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
Honest advice for a stronger financial future.
Building, preserving, and transitioning your family’s wealth.
Denis Blais Investment Advisor TD Waterhouse Private Investment Advice 613-783-5102 Office 613-783-4075 Fax
TD Waterhouse Private Investment Advice is a division of TD Waterhouse Canada Inc., a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. - Member CIPF. TD Waterhouse is a trade-mark of The Toronto-Dominion Bank, used under license.
ottawa outdoors 45
How to cycle to work and wear a suit every day BY JIM CLARKE Most of us are aware of why we should cycle to work, but the “how” part can be more elusive. How can you bike to work and still look like Harry Rosen’s best customer? Here are a few tips on getting started: Scout out places in advance to lock your bike during working hours. Many progressive workplaces provide bike cages for their employees to encourage cycling to work. If your employer doesn’t have a locking facility, ask for one. If you get fired for asking, it wasn’t a good place to work anyway. Find out if your workplace has shower facilities. If not, don’t use this as another lame excuse to avoid riding. In most weather, toweling down and deodorant are an effective combination. And, have a good chat with your body and sign a mutual agreement to avoid sweating. Besides, most sweating occurs on the way home when temperatures are higher – go jump in your neighbour’s pool. Find a place to change at work if you don’t have a closed-in office. Bathroom stalls work just fine. If you do have the luxury of a closed-in office, check out the visibility that nearby office workers have when your lights are on; you don’t want to see yourself toweling down on the Internet. It’s Sunday night, and you’re winding down from a fun weekend. Drag the ironing board in front of the TV and iron five shirts (guys) or five outfits (girls) while you watch America’s Funniest Videos. On Monday, take the car or bus to work and bring three suits and the 46 ottawa
outdoors
five ironed shirts (guys) or your five outfits (girls) with you. This can be a bit of a haul if you are bussing, but lots of people do it. Alternatively, some people take fresh clothes in each day by carefully rolling them up in their saddlebags – it works nicely for some women’s outfits and most men’s “working casual” attire. Harry Rosen would probably advise you don’t roll up his suits. On Monday night, pack a knapsack or your saddlebags with seven items: tie, belt, socks, the easy-to-forget underwear, cellphone, patch kit and bike pump. (Women will vary this list slightly according to their needs.) Biking with a backpack causes heat build-up and sore shoulders. Saddlebags make cycling way more fun. The cellphone can be handy for calling work in the morning or home in the evening if you have a flat tire. No, don’t use this prospect as another excuse to give cycling a pass; cars and busses get flat tires, too. Besides, studies show you’ll only get a flat if you don’t pack a cell phone. Tuesday morning and good times are here. Have a good breakfast, put those biking shorts on, transplant your important papers from the briefcase to pre-packed saddlebags, and away you go. You are now on target to enjoy the exhilaration of waving at your car-bound neighbours as you pass them. You’re taking in copious cubic metres of sweet air, working those muscles, and saving the environment, all in one fell swoop.
Once you arrive at work, resist the temptation to throw your slightly moist biking clothes into the corner. I have learned they won’t dry even after eight hours when they’re left in a heap. Makeup and hair challenges might exist for women, but my wife has proven time and again that this too can be overcome. Cycling helmets aren’t as hard on a hairstyle as you think, so everyone should wear one. In about two weeks, repeat Steps 1-8. This assumes you wear each clothing item twice, which should allow you to remain safely under the international body odour limit. Cycling to work can be done easily; lots of people do it. But realistically, it isn’t for everybody. Some folks will be hamstrung by child and daycare arrangements, proximity problems, and personal health limitations. If you live farther than 25 kilometres from work and are not directly related to Hercules, you may not want to ride every day. There are some hardy souls who commute downtown from Kanata and Orleans, but there’s no shame in limiting longer treks to Fridays, because every ride is a good ride. Some people won’t be able to bike to work for good reason. But, don’t avoid it because you’re afraid to organize your clothes in advance. Fill the water bottle, slap it on the bike and go for it. You’ll soon have your own list of reasons for pushing those pedals all over town. «oo
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
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