OTTAWA
SPRING ISSUE
OUTDOORS Like/follow us on Facebook, twitter & pinterest @
ottawaoutdoors
2015 | OTTAWA • GATINEAU • ONTARIO • QUEBEC • US & BEYOND
ADVENTURE | TRAVEL | FAMILY | HOME | HEALTH
Get your canoe ready for summer
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CAMPER'S FIRE PIT EVENTS & OUTDOOR CLUBS
SURVIVAL AND THE SELF-RESCUE
ADVENTURE TRAVEL
PADDLING IN THAILAND
HOW TO BUY A BIKE THIS SPRING
FRONTENAC OUTFITTERS CANOE & KAYAK CENTRE
SPRING SALE Canada’s Largest On-Water Event
& OPEN HOUSE
MAY 1-3, 2015
Join us at our 31st Annual Spring Sale choose from 400 of the
world’s finest, win prizes, and participate in workshops. Free donuts, coffee, and campsites. Free on-site test paddling. Be the first to paddle models from leading brands such as H2O Canoe Company, Riviera Paddlesurf, Delta Kayaks, Wilderness Systems & Perception Kayaks, Riot Kayaks, Tahe Kayaks, Zegul Kayaks, Current Designs, Aqua-Bound Paddles, Salus PFD’s, and many more! What’s New for 2015: H2O Canoe Company unveils their ultralight / Ultra-tuff Epoxy PRO Canoes; Delta Kayaks redesigns the popular 17 & 15.5 models; and Wilderness Systems releases new kayaks and upgrades. We’re Matchmakers – Our Paddlesports Experts have been matching paddlers to boats since 1984. Our unique On-Water Centre offers ‘YOU’ a superior purchasing experience. Are a few hours of your time worth a lifetime of paddling pleasure?
Frontenac Outfitters Canoe & Kayak Centre 6674 Bedford Rd., Sydenham, ON, K0H 2T0
(1/2 hour North of Kingston at the entrance to Frontenac Provincial Park)
613.376.6220 | 1.800.250.3174 ON Hours: 9am-6pm
www.frontenacoutfitters.ca frontenacoutfitters@gmail.com
OTTAWA
OUTDOORS
NO TRACE CAMPFIRES ALL 11 SEASON LONG Cover Photo by Ontario Parks
SUMMER TENTS, CHILD SLEEPING BAGS AND MORE Check out our Cool Gear and
get ideas for your summer outdoor adventure necessities.
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SPRING ISSUE
Like/follow us on Facebook, twitter & pinterest @ottawaoutdoors
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LEAVE EARLY SPRING TO THE ANIMALS
04 Publisher’s Letter 05 In early spring, leave the woods to the animals 06 To rent or to buy outdoor gear? 07 Eat local and buy a “share” from the farm 09 How to buy a bicycle 10 How to bike for weight loss 11 No trace camping includes the campfire 12 Local races 14 Ottawa Valley spring adventures 16 Ottawa’s natural environment 17 Dust off your boat for the season 18 Survival 101 19 How to get rid of leeches 20 Gravel bikes circle back 22 Riding to the hounds – not! 24 Making molehills out of mountains 25 The lost art of outdoor whittling 26 Adventure Travel: Budapest Beckons 31 Temagami wilderness 32 Cool Gear Hot Clothing 34 Ottawa Outdoors Music Festivals 35 Peterborough & the Kawarthas for a different world 36 Slacklining has arrived 38 Outdoor Adventure Clubs 40 Biking for bass 44 Adventure Travel: Manitoba’s “big five” 46 Adventure Travel: Sea kayaking Thailand’s coast 48 Golf putting basics 50 Excellent ideas for a fun backyard camping effect 53 Deck out your outdoors for spring 57 Exploring world flavours in your backyard 58 Add a spa and hot tub to your backyard staycation 59 Tips to delight your patio guests this summer 60 Ottawa’s Ultraman Canada champion: Kevin Willis
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PUBLISHER’S LETTER
SPRING Yes spring has arrived, so a warm welcome (pun intended) to Ottawa Outdoors readers after a long cold winter. What matters for us is what this season represents. It’s is the beginning of six months of outdoor pursuits and there are so many choices! We can hike our Greenbelt and Gatineau Park, or head to the Adirondacks or far off lands. If cycling is your passion then Ottawa’s the city to be in. With so many taking to our new cycling paths or tackling the workout fun of mountain biking, DAVE BROWN there are big hills, thrills and dirt paths all around the city to get your fix. PUBLISHER Editor-in-chief And if paddling is your vice, you get to choose from canoeing Ottawa Outdoors any of 300 nearby lakes, kayaking in cottage country, the Ottawa ottawaoutdoors.ca or Rideau rivers, or heading off to paddle with the whales on the SHOW OWNER Atlantic ocean. If you’re joining in on the popular sport of stand-up The Outdoor & Adventure Travel Show paddleboarding, do the research and find the right board for you. adventureottawa.com It’s an amazing activity not only for the obvious physical benefits but because it changes your perspective on Mother Nature, and that’s always exciting. The list of activities – whether sticking to what you know or branching out into something new – is endless. Outdoor businesses are shifting gears or opening up for the summer rush. Ski hills have summer activities for a great summer vacation. And in-city Wilderness Tours is in its second year of whitewater rafting on the Ottawa River between Ottawa and Gatineau. What fun! I also have to give a shout-out to all the outdoor enthusiasts and exhibitors who made our fourth annual outdoor and adventure travel show a huge success. With more than 20 stage presenters giving talks, and experts performing canoe, kayak and SUP demonstrations in our demo pool, it was a great March weekend. To get started on the season, here’s a whopping 64 pages of articles and photos to take in. We’ve covered how to buy a bike, build a proper fire pit, get rid of leeches on a portage, prepare your canoe for the season, and how to survive in a backwoods emergency. And there are tips on whether to rent or buy outdoor gear, how to plant healthy veggies, and our big cool gear and hot clothing section. We’ve beefed up our coverage of adventure travel – from Ontario to Thailand and out west – and for a day off, what are the backyard options (think barbecuing) and how to get an urban outdoor escape. All of this against the background of Katharine Fletcher’s thoughts on the environment, to remind us of the natural world we play in.
mail me your comments: editor@ottawaoutdoors.ca
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THE TEAM
OTTAWA
OUTDOORS &
MAGAZINE
MAR 19-20, 2016 PUBLISHER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
DAVE BROWN EDITOR
ROGER BIRD WRITERS
ALLEN MACARTNEY, JENNA THOMPSON, LESLIE FOSTER, WIKIHOW, GRAHAM ACREMAN, MELISSA MARQUARDT, KATHARINE FLETCHER, SHEILA ASCROFT, FRASER MOFFAT, PETER MCKINNON, TIM ALLARD, TIM MORCH, GORD PERCY, MARYAM GETZ, NEWS CANADA, KEVIN WILLIS PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS
CLINTON EMERSON, RIVERGLEN FARM, PERTH KILT RUN, TREVOR LUSH & BORCA, ERIC FLETCHER, KATHARINE FLETCHER, JUSTINE SANDERSON, MATT SURCH, KEITH MILNE, GORD COULTHART, LARISA GARRETT, MARIECLAUDE CHARRON, TIM ALLARD, TIM MORCH, DAVE BROWN, RICK KENT ADVERTISING INQUIRIES
Dave Brown, Publisher | Ottawa Outdoors Magazine is an independent publication published seasonally every four months and distributed FREE at sports stores and a hundred other locations around the region. E-mail: Advertising@OttawaOutdoors.ca Publisher: editor@ottawaoutdoors.ca Tel: 613-860-8687 or 888-228-2918 Fax: 613-482-4997
HOW TO GET PUBLISHED
Ottawa Outdoors welcomes story and photo contributions. Publisher may publish any and all communications with Ottawa Outdoors, and may edit for clarity and style. Indexed in the Canadian
Periodical Index ISSN No. 1204-69556. © Copyright 2015. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any materialspublished in Ottawa Outdoors Magazine is expressly forbidden without consent of the publisher. Printed in Canada
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
Let them recover from winter hunger By Allen Macartney
I
love hiking remote trails in all seasons – except early spring. And it’s become a “never do” rule that I stick to. For me it’s an unnecessary risk, like crossing a busy street while texting. Gambling is not for me. What’s the problem? The other inhabitants of the woods. Too many animals have barely survived winter and are half crazed with hunger. And this winter was very cold with lots of snow,
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
making it particularly difficult for large- and medium-sized carnivores to catch food. Hikers could interfer with their hunt, or worse. We have a sentimental Victorian view of nature, and it’s wrong. It’s easy to rhapsodize about its gentleness and beauty, but nature is also harsh and unforgiving. That cute little bunny with the twitching nose isn’t trying to endear itself to us. It’s testing the air for the tiniest whiff of predator, scared stiff and ready to bolt at the least provocation. Early spring is no time to encounter a possibly starving Gatineau wolf or a hungry old coyote suffering from mental issues. It’s when hikers are most likely to encounter a protective mother bear and her young cub on a trail. After hibernating for months, the mother is probably very hungry, grumpy, and fiercely protective of the next generation. Every animal in nature is hunting for food and struggling for survival, and late winter is
PHOTO BY CLINTON EMERSON
IN EARLY SPRING, LEAVE THE WOODS TO THE ANIMALS the hungriest time of year. Though humans may be at the top of the food chain, an animal that has gone weeks with nothing much to eat might in reckless desperation start thinking about reversing that situation. It’s no time to make an appearance on a remote hiking trail. Want to hike anyway? Stick to well-travelled trails in areas where animals are used to human presence. Carry a whistle or bear spray. Watch for bears and other large wild animals. Bear signs are vivid signals: tracks, droppings, fresh diggings or rotten trees torn apart. If brother or mother bruin shows up, back away slowly and leave the area. Don’t linger for pictures. Yes, spring is wonderful in the woods. Hiking without snowshoes with “ephemerals” blooming underfoot. Barren trees opening an extended view of hills and forest before they leaf out. But by waiting until late May or early June, you allow the forest to rebalance, and winter’s gnawing hunger pains to disappear from animal memory. (Allen Macartney is a seasoned backwoods hiker, camper and paddler.)
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To rent or to buy outdoor gear? PHOTO BY ANDREUSK
AS THEY SAY, IT ALL DEPENDS … By Jenna Thompson
W
hether you need to gear up for an upcoming expedition, or just need ideas while wandering the aisles of an outdoor shop, it’s worth taking a moment to figure out whether buying makes sense – before you pull out your wallet.
PHOTO BY A7880SS
For starters, the price tag is a huge factor for most people. Good outdoor gear isn’t cheap, and though renting can be more expensive over the long run, it gives access to better quality equipment that you might shy away from and never get to try. So if you lack cash and are looking at a cheaper but heavier fibreglass canoe, you could rent a high-end, lightweight Kevlar, which you’d thank on a two-kilometre portage. Then there’s upkeep and maintenance. Some gear needs tuning, cleaning, waxing, sharpening, and adjusting that can be time-
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consuming and costly. Will you do it, or do you need to pay someone to do it for you? That said, renting has its downside. When you own your own gear, you can hit the trails, scale that rock face or rip those rapids whenever you want. Renting limits you to the operating hours and location of the store. Availability is another issue – it can be iffy. When you’ve planned a weeklong canoe trip in Algonquin Park, it’s a downer to find out all available canoes are already rented out, if you haven’t reserved in advance. Your own experience and plans are other
factors. Renting lets you try different styles and models before picking the one that’s right for you. There’s no point in investing in gear unless you are going to use it a lot. If you are trying something (tennis? overnight camping? a canoe trip?) for the first time, renting is almost certainly the best bet. Nobody knows whether they’ll like a new activity or stick to it. If you do stick to it, and improve, then your gear requirements may change and you could find yourself the unhappy owner of a Toys “R” Us-level outfit. Then there’s storage and transportation if you buy. Most stuff needs to be kept dry, and any gear item has to be safe from thieves. Where to put that brand-new canoe? Your garage, backyard, or shed, if you have one? If it’s a long haul to an adventure destination, there are air transport fees for oversized sports equipment. Do you really want to give up space in the suitcase for those snorkel fins? Do you have roof racks for that kayak? Do you even own a vehicle? Other considerations on the buy-it front include versatility. Gear with many uses like tents, backpacks and sleeping bags is a good buy. Plus you can sell gear later if you change or upgrade, or rent your stuff to others. Since everything eventually wears out, try to estimate the life expectancy of the item you’re buying. There are rental options, whatever the destination. If you are heading south of the border, Outdoors Geek and Mountain Side Gear Rentals will ship rental gear almost anywhere in the United States. While we wait for a similar service in Canada, check out outfitters close to your destination. Ottawa outdoors stores, including Mountain Equipment Co-op and Trailhead Paddle Shack, will rent out almost anything, from canoes and kayaks to sleeping bags, tents, stoves, climbing equipment – and skis and snowshoes in winter. www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
EAT LOCAL AND BUY A “SHARE” FROM THE FARM Community supported agriculture makes customers part of the picture
E
S L ET LAB K I C TI AVA W NO
Ottawa
RIVERKEEPER
Wednesday, May 27th 2015
RIVERKEEPERGALA.COM
By Leslie Foster | Photos by Riverglen Farm
“Eating local” – buying food from as close to home as possible – means better taste and nutrition because food hasn’t been draining nutrients in storage or aboard a truck before it gets to the table.
Because our river is worth protecting. Presented by:
Washing fresh produce before it's purchased.
Eating local also means a reduced carbon footprint. No need for fuel and the accompanying emissions to ship food from California, Mexico or Peru to supply fresh veg to northerners. And now there’s another road to that healthy meal besides local produce markets. It’s called “community supported agriculture,” CSA for short. Here’s how it works. Consumers pre-pay participating farms for a summer season of deliveries, in effect buying a “share” of a farm’s products. This helps farmers plan crops and smooth out cash flow when it’s time to pay for seed, potting soil, seedling trays, and fuel to heat the greenhouses. Buying a “share” from a CSA farm means you take on some of its rewards and risks and get closer to your food source. You benefit from bumper crops and accept low yields when crops are poor due to bad weather, pests or disease. www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
Protect what matters. Be smart and prepare a Legal Will before your trips and adventures. CALL FOR A QUOTE TODAY!
BECAUSE ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN IN THE OUTDOORS.
www.georgebrownlaw.com For your WILLs, POWER of ATTORNEY and assistance with other LEGAL MATTERS. Tel: 613-731-2453 Fax: 613-249-7060 George@georgebrownlaw.com | www.georgebrownlaw.com ottawaoutdoors I 07
By paying early – between $30 and $36 per week – and sharing some of the risk, you get a discount on weekly food shipments, or more to eat than if you paid the same price at the market. Customers can pick up their share at their farm, at a designated pickup location, or at a public market. Some CSA farms offer meats (for a higher weekly fee), free-range eggs, honey, maple syrup, herbs and more. Most welcome visiting customers who come to see how crops are raised and how the animals are treated. Members get their shares weekly or bi-weekly over 16 weeks starting at the end of June. Each box includes a variety of vegetables, possibly some you’ve never tried before. Daizy and Johnny Näf have owned and operate Luxy Farm in St. Albert, a half-hour drive east of Ottawa, for six years. With a young child and another on the way Daizy explained, “I used to be in the field, but now I mostly work in the office and Johnny does garden management and directs the interns.” (Many CSA farms host summer interns. They get room and board and a small stipend. Most come to learn about community supported agriculture and supply cheap labour. The Näf interned before starting their own farm.) Daizy and Johnny, both musicians, met while working in a restaurant. Then Johnny’s father passed away and he inherited the farm.
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Daizy says the big CSA reward is feedback from longtime clients. “Direct marketing is wonderful compared to sending your produce to a wholesaler and never seeing customers.” Another CMA producer is David Burnford of Riverglen Biodynamic Farm; it’s inside city limits near the Ottawa River in the west end. He wanted a job where the outdoors would be part of his everyday life, working with his hands, but with opportunity for creativity. He got a horticultural degree at Algonquin
College, but, “Landscaping and chemicals didn’t appeal to me so in 2006 I did an internship at an organic farm in B.C.” In 2007, back in Ontario, he started a 15-share CSA. That first year, he lived in the barn at Riverglen and rode his electric-assisted bicycle towing a trailer to sell his produce at the market. Riverglen has three cows and 20 chickens and produces ethically raised beef, chicken, and eggs. Burnford says he’s learned a lot over the past nine years and feels that he has found his calling. For him, the most important challenge farming faces is “to get young people interested, and make farming sexy again.” The Ontario CSA Farm Directory could make you part of the picture. It’s at csafarms.ca.
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
How to buy a bicycle Carefully. If you’re looking toward a new bicycle this spring and not sure where to start, give a listen to Chris Chapman of Mountain Equipment Co-op. Ottawa Outdoors Magazine asked him to steer us through the maze of choices. To narrow down the options, we assumed a buyer would cycle 500 to 1,000 kilometres a year mostly on paved and crushed stone pathways, on a budget of less than $700. OOM: How much do I have to pay to get a good bike that will meet my needs? MEC: You’ll easily find a good bike with a light alloy frame within your stated budget. It will have quality, brand name components (e.g. brakes, shifter) that are perfectly twinned so they work well together. Poor quality components often found in cheap department store bikes won’t stand up to years of worryfree use. OOM: What type of bicycle should I buy? MEC: If you’re not going off-road along rough forest trails, you don’t need a mountain bike. They’re slow and have big tires that can absorb shock. If you want to take your time on paved and crushed stone pathways while enjoying the scenery, a hybrid bike is the best choice. Hybrids are safer than road bikes (sometimes called racing bikes) for city riding – the more upright position means you can see over the traffic. Then you need to make a choice in tires – wide ones all the way to fairly narrow, but not as narrow as racers. Hybrids give you great flexibility. OOM: What are the options? MEC: A fairly wide tire with thick tread will be slower than a narrower one with a light tread. Or you can choose a tire with a smooth middle portion (for fast riding) with tread on the sides (for cornering). This is a good compromise and offers you the best of both worlds. OOM: Do I need disk brakes? MEC: MEC only puts disk brakes on more expensive bikes – ones over $1,000. They give better stopping performance, but you probably don’t need it with your cycling profile. You’re better riding with expensive rim brakes rather than inexpensive disk brakes. Always go for quality. www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
PHOTO BY IKONOKLAST_HH
By Allen Macartney
OOM: What about shock-absorbing forks? MEC: Forks are great if you’re going to cycle on rough trails. They dampen vibrations but in your case they’re probably not necessary. OOM: How should I choose handle bars? MEC: Hybrid bikes offer many choices depending on how you want to ride. Flat bars are popular, but many people also like a handle bar that is higher. It allows you to sit up straighter and get a better view of your surroundings. All handle bars can be adjusted for comfort, and the vertical stem can be adjusted too. OOM: Are test rides necessary before I buy? MEC: Absolutely! You don’t buy shoes before trying them on and walking around. It’s the same with a bike. Your test ride should be about 20 minutes long. Ask yourself, does this feel comfortable? Is it a joy to ride? Am I stretching uncomfortably anywhere? Is the frame too tall or short? A salesperson should adjust the bike to your fit before your test ride: slide the saddle forward/
back and up/down, move the handlebars into a comfortable position. Your back will appreciate it! OOM: What about the seat? MEC: Again you have many choices: wide to very narrow. Women often prefer a wider saddle while men often choose a longer, thinner one with a groove down the middle to accommodate their physique. Wider saddles encourage a rider to sit up, while narrow saddles help you lean forward and lower. Some excellent bike seats go for as little as $15 so don’t spend too much needlessly. Try several out before buying. OOM: Any parting advice? MEC: Keep your bike well maintained. Depending on your riding style, that might just involve wiping the chain weekly and oiling all moving parts. Bringing your bike in for a minor tune-up ($40 cost) every year will make it last a very long time. Also pump your tires up to almost the maximum tire pressure. They’ll last longer and help you ride faster.
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HOW TO BIKE FOR WEIGHT LOSS
Y
ou look in the mirror and detest what you see—flab over here, flab over there, flab everywhere! It has gotten frustrating that every time you try hide one flaw on one part of your body, you find several more than need to be hidden. But the thing is, looking good and feeling good isn’t about hiding your flaws. It’s about loving them or getting rid of them. Since it is ideal to love your self in tip-top shape, you need to exert extra efforts to feel good and stay healthy. One option that you have for losing weight is to go biking. Bicycling is a great way to shed off those unwanted pounds because this form of exercise and sport allows you to burn high amount of calories. In fact, riding at a moderate speed of 19 to 23 km/h will already help you say goodbye to 235 calories per half hour. Imagine going biking on a regular basis. You don’t have to be a math wizard to figure how much weight you can lose with this sport. Here are some tips on how to use biking for weight loss.
1. SCHEDULE A DAILY RIDE
Amidst your hectic lifestyle filled with work, chores, and so on, you can still devote even a little of your time for this exercise. Set aside one hour of day to go on a daily bike
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ride around your neighbourhood or in a nearby biking trail. Make sure that you stick to your schedule so that results will be more favourable. If you go biking today but feel lazy about it for the next three days, you won’t get the results that you are looking for. 2. RIDE YOUR BIKE TO WORK
If you are just too busy and you can’t squeeze in an hour of biking in your daily life, what you can do instead is to ride the bike to work. This is good in so many aspects. For one, you will inevitably lose weight along the process. Aside from that, you will be more fit and stronger. Your stamina will build up and you will start to feel really good about yourself. Of course, you can’t also undermine the fact that you are doing the environment a great favour. Riding a bike will help reduce carbon emissions that your car usually emits in the atmosphere. 3. PLAN GROUP RIDES
If solo biking isn’t your thing and you feel like you want to have a company to talk to or share those beautiful sights you find along the way, you can always schedule for family or group rides. This can be a longer ride for a couple of hours.
4. RIDE THE BIKE WHEN YOU GO OUT
Whether you’re going on an errand to pay the bills or you simply want to go out for a breath of fresh air, hop onto your bike so that you can lose some weight while you do all these things. TIPS
• Don’t forget to bring carbon dioxide cylinders in your pack so that if your tire gets flat, you can quickly re-inflate them. • Just make sure that you learn the safety guidelines for this sport so you can keep it safe at all times. Published with permission by the WikiHow team. www.wikihow.com/Bike-for-Weight-Loss
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
No trace camping includes the campfire BUILD IT IN THE PREPARED PIT! By Allen Macartney
PHOTO BY TUNEDIN
From just off shore, the campsite looked absolutely lovely: sandy beach, lots of pine trees and shade. But after stepping out of the canoe, our delight quickly turned into disgust. The site was an eyesore, littered with blackened pits from at least five campfires. Rocks, trees and the ground itself were scarred with charcoal and soot, ready to stain camping equipment and clothes. Too many canoe-in campsites look like this one did, and they shouldn’t. Most campgrounds offer a prepared pit for a campfire and cooking. Park rangers have prepared these to ensure both safety and sustainable green camping for decades into the future. But too many people building their own pits all over the place, not realizing what they are doing to the underlying soil. Campfires heat the ground to a high temperature that destroys nutrients built up over generations. So much so that the soil can no longer support plant life. I’m not suggesting you avoid campfires, www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
and use only hiking stoves for cooking. Nothing builds camaraderie and great memories like sitting around a campfire, telling stories and sharing a meal. But give the ground a break. No matter what the size of your group, stick to only one campfire in the prepared fire pit. If you arrive at a site without a one, build your own well away from overhanging tree limbs or where roots sit at or near the surface. Heat can kill the roots and ignite a smoldering underground fire that can work its way to the surface and burst into flame days after you leave. Instead, build a campfire on gravelly or
rocky soil with as little soil as possible. Or lay down sheets of aluminum foil on bare rock, and build your fire on this. Afterwards, pack out the foil with your garbage. Enjoying a campfire brings “leave no trace” responsibility. That includes cleaning up melted plastic spoons and forks, crumpled foil, cigarette butts, and litter left over by previous campers. Dump blackened rocks that weren’t part of the pit into the forest. Spread pine and spruce needles and twigs over cold fire scars. Future campers who paddle in will wade ashore, look around, and appreciate what you did. ottawaoutdoors I 11
RUN, BIKE, SWIM, CLIMB OR CRAWL TO THE FINISH LINE AT THESE SUMMER RACE EVENTS By Graham Acreman
Ottawa and the surrounding area offers one of the highest per capita number of races in North America. On almost every weekend from now through the summer a wide range of events – running, cycling, triathlons or obstacle course races – mean there’s something for everyone. Here’s a look at what’s on offer. SPORTING LIFE 10K – MAY 10
This is the inaugural race in support of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, and takes place along Colonel By Drive. The course is flat and fast and organizers hope to make it one of the most popular new events in Ottawa. OTTAWA EARLY BIRD TRIATHLON AND DUATHLON – MAY 16
If you’ve ever thought of trying out a triathlon this is the race for you. Brought to you by Somersault, a dynamic Ottawa race organizer, Early Bird has triathlons, duathlons and runs. The swim portion of the triathlon is at the Car-
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leton University pool, and the cycle course is along traffic-free Colonel By Drive. All types of bikes are welcome. RIDEAU LAKES BIKE TOUR – JUNE 6-7
Though not technically a race, this cycling tour is now in its 44th year and it sells out every year. Cyclists have two primary choices: Ottawa to Kingston return (three routes, 177, 188 and 220 kilometres each way) or Perth to Kingston return (100 kilometres each way). The 177k route and the 100k Perth route are fully supported with rest stations approximately every 40 kilometres.
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
PERTH KILT RUN – JUNE 20
K-TOWN TRIATHLON – AUGUST 2
Held in downtown Perth, organizers say it’s the largest kilt run in the world. An eight-kilometre run is the primary race and you have to wear a kilt. The race features seven rest stations, free post-race beer, music and entertainment, and a grand prize of a round trip to Scotland.
This downtown Kingston event features short- and long-course triathlon and duathlon races. The long-course one starts with a swim in Kingston Harbour, a ride on mainly rolling hills and a run with flat spots and medium hills. This is a popular and well-organized event, so book early for accommodation if you’re planning to stay overnight.
MEC OTTAWA RACE 3 – JUNE 21
Held in Carp, Ont., this event features a fiveand 10-kilometre runs and a half-marathon on rolling country roads. These races are a bargain, with a fee of only $15 for the fiveand ten-kilometre runs, and $20 for the half marathon.
anyone’s inner-Spartan. And yes, there’s lots of mud. 9RUNRUN – OCTOBER 17
This is the Ottawa emergency services run (9RunRun, 9-1-1, get it?). It takes place in Stittsville and features a half marathon, a 10-kilometre, and two-kilometre “family” event. Lots of fun and entertainment and the Chiefs’ Chili Cook Off. Check out Raceclicks.com for similar events all across North America.
SPARTAN BEAST – AUGUST 9
The Spartan “Beast” in Mont-Ste-Marie, Que. is one of the most grueling courses in the Spartan family. The 20-kilometre, hilly course features 26 obstacles to challenge
BRING ON THE BAY, 3-KILOMETRE OPEN-WATER SWIM – JULY 11
This is an open-water swim across Britannia Bay that starts at the Nepean Sailing Club and finishes at the Britannia Yacht Club. GRANFONDO OTTAWA – JULY 25
Offering cycling routes of 65, 100, 170 and 220 kilometres, the GranFondo Ottawa has grown in popularity since its inception several years ago. It combines fun, hard work and a festive atmosphere with the look and feel of a tour event – a hyped-up start, feedzones, pelotons, breakaways, and food and drink when it’s over.
Bojan Uzicanin
MEC RACE SERIES OTTAWA Everything you need: low entry fees, chip timed results and finish line festivities. May 2 June 21 July 5 July 19 Sept 12 Oct 31 5 –15K/Trail
$15
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
Wesley Clover Parks Carp Camp Fortune Gatineau Park Rideau Carleton Raceway Gatineau Park Half marathon
$20
Marathon
$25
5K/10K 5K/10K/ Half marathon 3K/ 5K/10K Trail races 6K/15K/30K/50K Trail races 5K/10K/15K Half marathon/Marathon Register online Register
mec.ca/events ottawaoutdoors I 13
Spring adventures... Ottawa Valley style By Melissa Marquardt
S
pring is a breath of fresh air. Grass starts to green, buds appear on trees. Migratory birds return from their winter home in the south, sing to stake out breeding territory. Lake ice breaks up and rivers trickle and then flow. Skis and snowshoes are swapped for shorts and bicycles. Thoughts turn to weekend camping, trails to explore, rivers to paddle and lakes to fish.
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over 900 lakes and dozens of rivers, providing anglers with the opportunity to catch the big one. The Valley’s extensive four-season trail network provides adventurers with even more reasons to get outside. Hiking and walking trails for every skill level, bring city escapees face to face with Mother Nature. Old growth forests, such as the Shaw Woods near Lake Dore and Gillies Grove in Arnprior, showcase some of her greatest works of art with towering trees and a host of wildlife. Cycling routes follow scenic rural roads and sometimes challenging elevation changes (serious riders should consider the Foymount Hill Climb Challenge). Mountain biking trails, such as Forest Lea and those maintained by the Beachburg Off Road Cycling Association, offer a more technical ride. The Ottawa Valley’s history and heritage are well known to many, but its reputation for recreational geology experiences has been growing. There’s much to be said in the story of our Earth and the town of Eganville is proud to tell it. Learn about the Ordovi-
cian time period by exploring Ontario’s most extensive underground cavern and the Geology Fossil Trail to see remains of creatures dating back more than 500 million years. Rock hounds and mineral collectors should bring their digging tools to search for buried treasure at quarries and pits between Quadeville and Bancroft. Rose quartz, feldspar and beryllium are just a few of the prizes to be found. Now that the snow is gone, no more excuses. It’s time to pack up the car and head up the Valley for springtime adventures. Things to do, getaway packages, places to stay and more trip planning information can all be found at www.OttawaValley.travel/.
PHOTO BY TREVOR LUSH & BORCA
Cradled between the Ottawa River and Algonquin Park in Ontario’s highlands, the Ottawa Valley offers all of this and more. With 2.4 million hectares of wilderness and smalltown charm, a 30-minute drive west of the Nation’s Capital is gas money well spent. Experience signature world-class rafting and paddling in the whitewater capital of Canada. The mighty Ottawa, Madawaska and Petawawa Rivers attract thrill seekers to course down class three to five rapids garnering bragging rights for years to come. Petawawa’s Hell or High Water Festival kicks of the Valley’s paddling season the second weekend of May. But these waters are not just for paddlers. More than 20 species of fish can be found in
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ottawaoutdoors I 15
OTTAWA’S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
PHOTOS: ERIC FLETCHER
SPRING’S FLEETING BEAUTIES KATHARINE FLETCHER
Gatineau Park’s expert explains the wildflowers that don’t linger
“Ephemerals is the name we botanists give those wildflowers whose life cycle happens in two, or sometimes three to four weeks,” explains Catherine Verreault, the lead biologist in Gatineau Park. A scientist who specialized in botany, she’s an expert on plants. I’m sure many readers would recognize some of these short-term flowers in the Ottawa Valley’s springtime woodlands: white, red and painted trilliums, dogtoothed violets (aka trout lilies), Dutchman’s breeches, bloodroot, spring beauties and more fall into this category. Verreault notes, “Ephemerals typically emerge after the snow melts, before the woodland’s canopy of leaves cast shadows onto the forest floor. They have a very special niche in this brief period of time – after the snow and before trees’ leaves prevent them from getting sunlight they need for food and growth. Plus, they are a crucial early source of food for pollinators.” In spring, the forest floor is saturated with water from snow melt, allowing these ephemerals to absorb moisture and nutrients for their brief life above ground. Another aspect to ephemerals’ fragility is how many years it takes for a plant to flower. I remember my mother telling me it takes seven years for trilliums to blossom. I asked Verreault if this is true. “Yes. Trilliums take seven to 10 years to produce their first blossom, just like wild leeks. Bellwort and dog-toothed violets take four. Generally speaking, if a flower is picked (while leaving the bulb in the ground) it takes another two or three years for the plant to re-blossom.” Verreault’s message is clear and simple: ephemerals are fleeting plants which require special respect and protection. Gatineau Park is a wildlife sanctuary. It’s against the law to remove anything from it – plants, rocks, maple sap – and even picking mushrooms and raspberries. Those who do it risk fines for such activities. A bit over the top you might think? No, because that raspberry I’m tempted to pick is wild, natural food for birds and mammals – or the seed for the plant’s
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reproduction. As human beings expand territory, denude “vacant, useless land” for housing developments, we eradicate habitat and destroy the food, shelter, denning and nesting opportunities for the critters we so often proclaim we love, such as owls, hawks, warblers, salamanders, leopard frogs, foxes, deer and others. All to say that when we’re in Gatineau Park – or any wildlife preserve – practice LNT, meaning Leave No Trace, a non-profit organization that promotes responsible outdoor recreation. Some plants are so rare they have special protection. One of them is wild leek, which got this status throughout Quebec starting in 1995; obviously, it’s illegal to pick them in Gatineau Park. Verreault explains that leeks “qualify as ephemerals, too. “They actually flower in July, but their leaves die back … if you pick wild leeks, people usually dig up the entire plant. Even people who say it’s OK because they’re just taking some leaves are damaging the plant.” That’s because plants depend upon their leaves for photosynthesis, the process where they convert sunlight to chemical energy to fuel the plant’s activities and growth. So picking “just some leaves” damages a plant’s ability to survive. So, which Gatineau Park trails are best for seeing ephemerals? Verreault likes the easy accessibility of Larriault Trail, and adds, “Sugarbush, at the Visitors’ Centre is super, too, and during the last Sunday in April and first three Sundays in May, we’re offering guided wildflower walks.” You can check this out on the NCC’s website, ncc-ccn.gc.ca See you out there? Katharine Fletcher is a keen field naturalist and author of Historical Walks: The Gatineau Park Story and Promenades historiques dans le parc de la Gatineau. | www.katharinefletcher.com
Bloodroot
Dutchman's Breeches
Red Trilliums
Spring Beauties
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PHOTO BY JUSTINE SANDERSON (FLICKR)
Dust off that canoe or kayak and clean it ready for paddling By Allen Macartney
I
t happened last spring. I dug my canoe out of the garage (we call it a boathouse because it sounds more romantic), strapped it onto the car roof, arrived at the lake and discovered a crack in the portaging yoke. Not to mention the mouse nest inside. Other seasons, I’ve discovered a broken rudder and jammed cables while easing my kayak into the water. Not nice. So blow the dust off that canoe or kayak in the garage where it sat all winter and do a spring checkup. It guarantees enjoyable paddling and many more years on your boat. Start with a quick visual inspection. Check the hull for cracks, deep scrapes or gouges. If it’s an aluminum canoe, check the rivets for tightness and replace if needed. Tighten loose screws or bolts. Really. My seat collapsed once in a nasty stretch of racing water on a remote river. A rusted bolt had escaped my attention and worked itself loose. I can still feel the adrenaline spike when I
lurched over and the gunnel suddenly tipped close to the water. In kayaks check all moving parts (rudder, pulleys, cables, sliding seat) as well as bulkheads and deck rigging. Make sure foot supports and thigh braces operate correctly. A bit of oil works wonders. Make sure hatches have not been nibbled by mice but form watertight seals. Then take on the safety gear – life jackets, bilge pump, spray skirt – out of the basement and check for damage. Is your kayak compass working properly? Has a wooden paddle split
in the dry winter basement air? Do safety snaps open and close easily? Duct tape could solve some problems quickly. Next, think about the sun. Ultraviolet rays can kill a canoe or kayak in a few years if it’s stored unprotected outside. Each spring I apply Nu Finish Polish to all my boats. It gives outstanding UV protection, makes a boat look almost new and helps it glide smoothly through the water. Wash your craft with soapy water, rinse, then apply Nu Finish sparingly with a cloth. Let it dry to a haze, then gently buff. Your boat will gleam! Do it again in a month. Inspecting boats and polishing them to a glistening sheen isn’t just work. It pumps anyone up for great outdoor adventures on the water.
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WHEN IS SELF-RESCUE THE BEST IDEA IF YOU’RE LOST?
PHOTO BY PASSIFLORA70
“Hug a tree and don’t move if you get ALLEN lost.” MACARTNEY A lot of kids learn this outdoor mantra, and it’s a classic rule for adults too. But not always. Sometimes it makes sense to try to walk out, to find your own way back to a car or cabin. So when should you break the hug-atree rule? Let’s take an extreme example. In October 1972 a chartered Uruguayan airliner carrying a rugby team and friends crashed high in the Andes Mountains of South America. A quarter of the 45 passengers died immediately. Survivors had little food and no source of heat in the harsh mountain conditions. Injuries, blizzards, biting cold and an avalanche whittled down the remaining numbers. Long after rescuers had called off the search the victims still waited in desperation. They survived for many weeks by eating the bodies of their dead companions. After two months on the mountain, several of them decided to try to climb down the steep mountain. It took them 10 days to reach help. Within hours the remaining mountaintop passengers were rescued.
Lost? Hug a tree.
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WHEN TO STAY PUT
Anyone getting lost should remember the good news. Rescuers find most lost people within 36 hours. If rescue doesn’t arrive after 72 hours, it might be time to consider self-rescue. Let’s look at some dos and don’ts. When lost in forest, it’s generally best to stay where you are. Preserve your energy, build a simple shelter, make a fire if possible, and stay warm and dry. Sleep at night and stay awake during the day when rescuers are most active. Help is on the way, especially if you’ve told others exactly where you’re going. If you’re injured, stay where you are but keep improving your shelter if you can. Stay visible.
When the Unexpected happens . . .
WHEN TO TRY WALKING OUT
If no rescue appears after that 72-hour mark, consider self-rescue when you’re rested, clear thinking and not panicked. If you’re “bushed,” you’ll likely walk in circles and waste energy unless you have a compass. Leave an arrow-pointed branch on the trail indicating your direction of travel. Before leaving, develop a plan. This will keep you focused, on-program and give you confidence. Depending on your surroundings, one strategy is to find a stream and follow it downward. You’ll always have water, and it will eventually take you to a pond, lake or river where you might find cottages or food sources (e.g. clams or berries). Following a stream provides a better chance of eventually finding civilization. Begin walking in early morning when conditions are good, not late in the afternoon or evening when darkness is approaching. Walk slowly. This will allow you to see and hear things better, like sensing that break in the trees with a power line or road, or hearing distant vehicle sounds or rescuers calling. Going slow also minimizes the chance of injury. If possible, mark your trail so you can retrace your steps if your attempt fails. Getting lost is never fun, nor is finding a way out. Hugging a tree is always the first choice. Allen Macartney is an experienced wilderness camper and canoeist.
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LEECHES
IF THEY CREEP YOU OUT, GET RID OF THEM “Okay princess,” said my wife gleefully. “Time to get out of the canoe.” I cringed, frozen in the stern. Just ahead lay the portage into a neighbouring lake. Blocking our path was a thick 50-metre “barrier” of weeds, lily pads and squishy mud – prime habitat for leeches. I hate even saying the word “leech.” It gives me the willies, but they’re present in almost every body of water. The good news is that only about 10 per cent of leech species want your blood. The rest Clean the bite with soap and water, then apply an anti-bacterial feed off decaying plant matter. ointment like Polysporin. Apply direct pressure if needed to stop They look bleeding. (Usually, you won’t see any blood or feel an itch.) Then cover to me like a I HATE EVEN SAYING THE WORD “LEECH.” the spot with a bandage. disgusting If it starts to itch, apply baking soda or take a mild antihistamine. If worm or slug IT GIVES ME THE WILLIES. a rash or swelling forms, or any other allergic reaction develops, see a but with doctor. suckers on each end. Ranging in size from one to 20 centimetres, they’re Next time you want to wimp out of a weedy, gooey swamp at the foot usually black or brownish. Leeches sink their tiny teeth into you (it doesn’t hurt because they inject a numbing agent) and start sucking of a portage, just accept the “princess” label, and step out anyway. blood. If you’re scientifically inclined you could just wait and watch for Leeches aren’t forever. about 20 minutes, taking notes, until the leech fills up and drops off. Too disgusting for me! Here’s how to get rid of them quickly and easily. Everyone has a favourite way to get rid of leeches. Mine is salt. I sprinkle it on them from a tiny spice packet in my fanny pack. Presto! They just drop away. Some people claim applying salt may cause the leech to empty its stomach onto the wound, but that’s never happened to me. Another popular de-leeching method involves sliding your fingernail under the • FOOTWEAR • ACCESSORIES leech’s mouth as close as possible to the • ATHLETIC CLOTHING • TRIATHLON teeth, then gently lifting it away. If you don’t want to use salt and don’t • INSTORE OR ONLINE want to touch the leech, some people touch it with a heated pin, a lit match or a glowing cigarette. This gets its immediate attention, and it drops off. Some people suggest covering the leech in liquid soap, petroleum jelly, alcohol, lemon juice or carbonated drinks but these can be messy and sting. Others suggest insect repellant or even turpentine, but these chemicals could infect the wound. Once off, get rid of the leech immediately as the little critter will try to reattach itself. The wound may continue bleeding because YOUR DESTINATION FOR AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE of anti-coagulants it has injected into you. 5607 Hazeldean Road | Ottawa | 613-831-3604 203 Richmond Road | Ottawa | 613-792-1170 Inspect the bite location to ensure that teeth or shop online at bushtukah.com jaw parts have not been left behind. Get them out with tweezers if necessary.
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ottawaoutdoors I 19
PHOTO BY MATHESS
By Allen Macartney
GRAVEL BIKES CIRCLE BACK TO THE FUTURE ON ANY KIND OF ROAD By Sheila Ascroft Gravel bikes are made for cyclists who love their road bikes but want to get off the pavement. They meld mountain biking and cyclo-cross with long-distance riding on back roads and trails. Gravel riding is not new, just a return to what cycling once was. A hundred years ago, all bikes were “gravel bikes,” since most roads were unpaved. Think about how you rode just about anywhere on your bike as a kid. These bikes offer that same delightful go-anywhere option.
Unlike the models of the past few decades with skinny tires that only handle smooth surfaces, gravel bikes have wide, sturdy rubber. Such tires can handle freshly graded gravel, rough chip seal, deep sand, ditches or pitches, muddy farm lanes or wooded trails covered with leaves. All you need is the handling skill to match the bike’s ability! Gravel bikes look like road bikes with their lightweight frame and drop curve handlebar, but usually have a mountain bike’s cantilever or disc brakes to allow for the wider tires. They
Teknē Cycle Club wants cyclists with the right stuff By Sheila Ascroft Ottawa-Gatineau’s new Teknē Cycle Club is looking for members with spunk. Its president, Matt Surch, 36, has raced mountain bikes, cyclo-cross and road bikes for 22 years and has a clear view of the club’s shared culture. The club has “a diverse group of riders, from cadet to master, who share a passion for cycling and a common perspective on what matters: camaraderie, audacity, generosity, and community. Many of us race, some of us don’t. We ride together. We support each other. We give back to the community,” Surch says. So, what does “teknē” mean? Surch calls it “embodied practice,” in harmony with technology, an ancient Greek concept that blends art and theory. “Teknē permeates everything we do with intention. It is mindfulness brought to how we move our bodies in space. It is how we incorporate our tools – bikes – into our movement and expression. Teknē is pedalling because pedalling feels good. Teknē is knowing that there are many ways to pedal. Teknē is the embrace of the human drive to strive, improve, refine, and share lessons learned. Teknē is what makes cycling beautiful and is why we ride.” At the start of this year the club had about 35 members, all sharing this philosophy of the bike, “people who want to have fun with cycling … whether you want to race or just
enjoy mellow rides, the club’s purpose is to help cyclists improve themselves, and to practise cycling together,” Surch says. “Folks who are looking for a ‘race team’ in order to progress in their ‘career’ and then move along are not the sort of folks we are looking for. We invite in cyclists who we’ve come to know by doing the same sorts of riding, racing and events we do.” New members have to be nominated by an existing member, endorsed by two other members, be approved by the board of directors and get past the club’s “no assholes” policy. What this means is whether a prospective member would find equivalent-skill club cyclists to ride with, and whether Teknē members would want to ride with them – and whether they’d contribute to club events and the cycling community. It costs $45 to join and club members have to buy a club uniform kit, still under design. On June 14, the club’s Ride of the Damned celebrates its seventh edition, an event Surch organized for the Tall Tree Cycle Shop before he founded Teknē. Born out of a desire to share challenging routes off the beaten track, this ride emphasizes adventure, not competition. It takes teams of four to six riders north of Ottawa over rolling hills and through rural Quebec, covering paved and dirt roads far from traffic and big-city life.
also have a longer wheelbase and lower bottom bracket (for stability) than a typical roadie. It’s up to you whether to add fenders or get a face
The apex of the 155-kilometre route is the Paugan hydroelectric dam close to Low, Que. This massive structure tops a series of ascending dirt roads and provides a spectacular view of the Gatineau River. Beyond it, riders travel along lake shorelines and past farm fields and descend to Wakefield, where everyone stops at the Pipolinka Bakery. The 100-kilometre Cascades Loop, a short version of the Damned, crosses Wakefield’s covered bridge. Ride proceeds go to an as yet unnamed regional charity. Another major club event is the Double Cross, an appetite catalyst hitting the roads every Thanksgiving Monday, a rally/randonnée through Gatineau Park to Wakefield and back. It’s open to all kinds of trail-worthy bikes – cyclo-cross bikes with big tires, drop bar mountain bikes, regular mountain bikes, and even fat bikes are all fair game. But the route is specifically cyclo-cross-bike friendly, so it’s tame for BIG tires. Featuring road, trail, and Pipolinka Bakery, it’s an 88-kilometre loop. The Teknē Cycle Club is supported by Giro Sport Design, Woven Precision Handbuilts, Mad Alchemy, Brodie Bikes, Greg Cosgrove Design, Swiss Design Group and Absolute Black.
Matt Surch
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full of mud. But beware: Front fenders can be risky on trails where sticks can kick up and lock the wheel. Matt Surch, president of Teknē Cycle Club (previous page), says, “In the old days, tires were voluminous, clearance was ample, and body positions were more akin to that of a ride on a mountain bike of today than a road cyclist.”
Some gravel events are for racers, others just for you and me who want to get away from urban distractions. Take one of the many rides in and around the Wakefield area and relish the old farmsteads, hidden valleys and the vistas of the Gatineau Hills – and little traffic. Nothing beats going down a new (old) road. “It wasn’t until I started riding the dirt roads north of Ottawa that I realized how much I was missing,” says Surch, 36. “The terrain is beautiful. I’ve lived in Ottawa all my life, but had no idea what was in my back yard. It feels right to get to know my region better, and this is best done by bike. All I need are my fat tires, and I can ride wherever I want.” Ottawa offers three April events ideal for gravel bikes. In the U.S., “gravel grinders” usually means hard, dusty, dirty races where riders have to grind out 200 kilometres. Our region’s oldest spring event is a little kinder, weather depending. The Ottawa Bicycle Club’s Almonte-Paris-Roubaix (April 12) takes its name from the Paris-Roubaix race that’s been around since 1896. They call it Enfer du Nord (Hell of the north) because of sections of rough pave or cobblestones, which can be brutal if it rains. This cyclo-sportif event with its exciting forest sectors is preceded by Ride with Rendall’s Clarence-Rockland Classic on April 5 over a mostly flat route with gravel sectors and wind.
Later, on June 14, comes Teknē Cycle Club’s “Ride of the Damned” through Cantley, Low and Wakefield. Count on beautiful scenery, a fair bit of climbing, and the spectacular Paugan hydroelectric dam. For more details, check out www.teknecycling.com. Surch says that unlike the past April 5 and 12 events, the Damned is “not a race. It exposes riders to the delights of riding unpaved roads, and the team format ensures riders’ support over what is a challenging route for most.”
THE “EQUALIZER BIKE” It brings mismatched cyclists together Want to cycle with a partner but having trouble keeping up? No problem, even if your partner is an Olympic athlete. Those ancient bikes took on all kinds of roads. But after the Second World War, Europe was rebuilding, and new, smooth paved roads made narrower tires an option. Racers, in contrast to cyclo-tourists, became obsessed with narrower tires, believing they were more efficient. Over time, these road bikes would only fit tires up to 23 millimetres wide. This resulted in a widespread move by recreational cyclists to the asphalt and to the ubiquitous 10-speed road bike. But few cyclists would ever ride the Tour de France, the governing myth behind that 10-speed technology. Then came the mountain bike revolution and the emigration of cyclo-cross to America, and cyclists realized there was more to riding than just paved roads. Aging “roadies” want to dial down the hard-core pack riding of cycling clubs for something less regulated and more relaxed. Enter the gravel bike. Surch says gravel bikes could be called simply “bicycles for riding.” They allow you to go almost anywhere at any time at any speed.
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ottawaoutdoors I 21
RIDING TO THE HOUNDS – NOT! By Sheila Ascroft
T
he fact that I was 30 and taking riding lessons with 10-yearolds didn’t bother me too much – except that I fell off more than they did. Those sleek English saddles don’t come with handles or pommels or anything else to hang onto. On my first ride, the instructor assigned me “Killer” and I panicked even before mounting. Yikes. But the grey beauty was well-mannered and willing to put up with a novice on his back. After class did I learn Killer stood for Kilarney. After a winter of twice-weekly lessons of
SADDLE UP! Here’s where to go for “English” style riding lessons for jumping and dressage. No “western” saddles with hand-holds and pommels. Some of these stables have been around for more than 30 years and continue to provide excellent ridership skills for all levels. But wherever you go, make sure the instructors are certified in equestrian skills and first aid to look after you, and the stables and barns are clean and well maintained for the horses. Saddles and reins in the tack room should have no dry cracks in leather. And the horses should look healthy and alert. 22 I ottawaoutdoors
learning to walk, trot and canter (well, canter when the horse wanted to), we welcomed spring by moving to an outdoor paddock. A spindly two-rail fence raised this novice rider’s fear of a horse’s urge to run off. A valid fear, it turned out. Killer really liked to jump and then go for a refreshing dip in
the nearby river. Yes, I was still attached, although riding sideways. We thrashed our way back to the paddock, dripping ignominiously. Another day, “And trrrrot,” the instructor ordered. Killer, an experienced school horse, responded immediately. I was less quick. I jiggled and jostled and abruptly fell off. Oomph. Fortunately, the paddock had a sandy base. Uninjured, except in pride, I remounted. Experts say it takes seven falls to make a good rider. That first year, I had 11 – and only tore a thumb ligament.
Stables offer a range of lessons, day camps, maybe an indoor arena (so you can ride in winter), outdoor sandy rings for jumping and dressage, a tack shop, and large acreage for just plain riding or jumping solid obstacles. Some offer pony clubs, clinics, competitions, and courses in stable management, useful if you want to own a horse. You’ll pay about $50 for a single lesson, and prices vary for lesson packages. Some stables lease horses. Centaur Riding School 3845 Frank Kenny Rd., Navan, Ont. 613-835-2237 Fiddler’s Green Stables 6575 Flewellyn Rd. Stittsville, Ont. 613-831-2844
Greenbelt Riding School 3960 Albion Rd., Ottawa, Ont. 613-521-5700 Westar Farms 8132 Fernbank Rd., Ashton, Ont. 613-253-0078 Royale Equestrian Centre 2191 Woodroffe Ave., RR 2, Ottawa, Ont. 613-608-1176 Maplewood Equestrian Centre 3178 Dunning Rd., Sarsfield, Ont. 613-510-1200 Shadow Ridge Equestrian Centre 372 Upper Dwyer Hill Rd., Ashton, Ont. 613-256-6759 Wynbrook Farm 6222 Dunning Road, Vars, Ont. 613 835-3511 www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
The question as to why was I putting myself through this arose. Especially during post-ride physiotherapy or when I washed my wet-horse smelling breeches. As a kid, unlike many of my friends, I never wished for a pony, but I’ve always wanted to learn how to ride. Turning 30 brought forth an urgency to tick things off my “life list.” I’d crossed off whitewater rafting on the Ottawa River and seen those humpback whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence; riding was next. Atop the horse, I finally understood what “riding tall in the saddle” meant – it put me above the crowd as it were. For a short person, it was an empowering new perspective. I fell in love with riding when I felt those four strong legs move beneath me, an instant connection between human and horse. Eventually, one summery day, the instructor led us beyond the paddock confines to the open 40-hectare hunter’s field, where we would learn to ride with the hounds. It was like starting all over. The horse’s ears twitched back and forth; my heart pumped in spurts. Despite being a river-loving animal, my horse descended into a paroxysm of fear when confronted with a puny puddle. He snorted and shied sideways – there might be evil lurking in that water! I stayed mounted. Progress. After months of riding drills, we were jumping small ditches, cantering through scrubland, hugging our horses’ necks beneath overhanging branches in the woods, and clearing low natural barriers. A few practice rounds and we all thought we were ready to “ride with the hounds.” I was in heaven except for the post-ride chore of getting off the horse. Less agile than my fellow students, I’d walk to the stable like John Wayne on a bad day. Then came the horse chores: washing off the sweat and dirt, giving it water and then cleaning the tack (aka the reins and saddle). The summer flew by. In late September, with the scent of freshly mown hay and ripened apples in the air, the instructor taught us to “boot and scoot.” The idea was to apply pressure to the horse’s sides and just scoot – jumping up over a fence on the down slope of a hill. Terrifying. How does one ride down a slope, rise up over a fence and then land further down without catastrophe? I awaited my turn, worrying how to perform such an feat. The trick was to give the horse enough rein to perform on his own while you hung on for dear life. Perhaps not the most professional form, but it worked for me. Exhilaration replaced fear. I felt like Scarlet O’Hara in Gone with the Wind. I was really an equestrian. I rode four more years and became competent enough to try a few local “dressage” events (a competitive equestrian sport where horse and rider are expected to perform from memory a series of predetermined movements). It took all day to wash the horse, shampoo (and condition) its tail and mane, shoe-black the one white hoof, and add bows to the mane. Then transport the horse to the event and saddle up. Whew! The 10-minute dressage test was the easy part. Well, it would have been except my horse spooked at first sight of himself in a mirror in the arena. In panic, he did an unintentional sidestep to show “lateral flexion,” a move we never managed in class. In the end, I earned a ribbon for fourth place. It felt like Olympic gold. www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
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MAKING MOLEHILLS OUT OF MOUNTAINS MOVE YOUR BUTT By Fraser Moffat
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One way to learn how to climb on a mountain bike involves riding with stronger riders – keeping close behind them and trying to see how they do it. This works, but it takes time and can be so frustrating and painful that you keep the bike safe and dry in your basement for a long time and don’t return your riding buddies’ phone calls. A more rewarding way to learn is to read the rest of this article, take your newfound knowledge with you out on the trail, then practise, practise, practise. Soon enough, you’ll be out front on your group rides instead of bringing up the rear. Hill climbing on a mountain bike is not just about gear selection, although this is important: When approaching a hill, you need to select a gear that will allow you to maintain a steady pedal stroke all the way up. Feel free to change gears in mid-climb, but use the rear derailleur instead of the front unless you want to pick pieces of your chain up from the trail. Climbing hills on a mountain bike is difficult because the laws of physics and trail surfaces are working against you. Your centre of gravity changes as you move uphill and traction is lost if you stay in the standard riding position. Add in loose dirt, gravel and rocks and whatever traction you have left becomes nothing but a fond memory. 24 I ottawaoutdoors
You’ll need to apply “body English” to overcome these forces of nature. Here’s how. First, move your butt forwards on the seat so the nose of the seat is in the vicinity of your tailbone. You want to be more “fore” than “aft,” so your centre of gravity stays in front of the rear axle of the bike. Second, lower your chest to the handlebars as you move your butt forwards on the seat – another strategy to keep your centre of gravity forward. Third, bring your elbows close into your body. This allows you to maintain efficient control over your bike and keep it pointed in the right direction without much effort. Now practise these three techniques on a small incline. Choose an appropriate gear and exaggerate the body and arm positions. Move on to bigger and steeper hills, and keep on practising these techniques. For steeper hills, move your butt further forward on your seat, your chest closer to the handlebars and your arms closer
PHOTO BY KLOHKA
ell me if this sounds familiar: you’re riding your mountain bike along a nice stretch of dirt singletrack, and suddenly a steep and rocky hill appears in front of you. You take a deep breath and start pedaling hard to make the ascent. About half way up, you spin your rear tire out in the dirt and run out of steam. You get off and push the bike and yourself up the rest of the monstrous hill. Most mountain bikers have found themselves doing this time and time again until they finally figure out how to climb properly. into your body. With lots of practice, you’ll be able to change your position easily to adjust to different conditions and climb most hills with relative ease. At this point, you have become a Jedi master of mountain bike climbing with no need to avoid rides with your buddies. Happy trails. (Fraser Moffat is an experienced cycling instructor who has explored many of Ottawa’s best trails.)
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THE LOST ART OF OUTDOOR WHITTLING By Allen Macartney
OK, that was then, and this is now, so let’s get a bit more practical and start achieving something. What sort of knife do you need? Probably the thin-bladed pocket knife you already own. Sharpen it to a keen edge and you’re ready to go. There’s lots of wood in the forest of course, so start with any random branch you find along the trail. Pine makes for great whittling because it’s soft, cuts easily and it’s
How can you start, and what can you whittle? Old timers just picked up a stick and started carving with a cheap but cherished pocket knife. No plan. Just simple pleasure. They whittled aimlessly while chatting with friends and listening to the crackling fire. Can you picture it?
everywhere. Look for wood with a straight grain and no knots. An easy first whittling project could be a letter-opener knife, and should take about 10 minutes. Design your own – a long, thin wooden blade with a handle. At home, treat it
PHOTO BY WINSLOW HOMER'S "THE WHITTLING BOY"
The sweetness of doing nothing. That’s one of the chief attractions the outdoors has held for generations of campers. And for some of them, “nothing” has involved whittling. But both doing nothing, and whittling, have fallen out of favour amidst today’s frantic multi-tasking. Perhaps outdoorsy overachievers could benefit by living in the moment. One of the best ways – for me at least – of doing that, is whittling around a campfire.
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with tongue oil or apply a thin coat of varathane. Teens might want to start their whittling career by making a “fid.” That’s a wooden tool fishermen have used for centuries to untangle knots. It looks a lot like a letter opener. Simply push its thin pointed end into the knotted rope or string and gently work the knot out. Teens can also make a fire-sticks – firestarters with shavings sticking out at all angles, looking sort of like a porcupine. Younger kids can start whittling metre-long branches with a fork at the tip. Then they can strip off the bark with their knife and sharpen the two forks, making – you guessed it – a hot dog roaster. Have those wieners ready. You’ll find everyone will be suddenly hungry! If your project needs something beyond a forked branch, craft shops have balsa or basswood blocks. Cedar shingles (excellent for spoons, salad forks and chopsticks) are cheap at any lumberyard. Trace the carving pattern on the wood, cut off what you don’t need with an axe or hatchet, then start shaping your spoon or fork. When you’re ready for more advanced projects, try whittling an egg, loon or duck. This might sound simple, but you’ll learn all about the joys and frustration of wood grain, and how essential a sharp knife is. Whittling forces you to be in the moment with your friends. It focuses attention creatively and encourages conversation that lingers as a good outdoor memory. There’s nothing quite like it.
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GETAWAY FEATURE ON THE LIBRARY HOTEL COLLECTION'S NEW ADDITIONS
BUDAPEST BECKONS!
Aria Hotel Budapest is the latest luxury boutique hotel awaiting adventure travel enthusiasts
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n experience inspired by music, the Aria Hotel Budapest opened its doors in March of 2015, a luxury boutique hotel with an exquisite design inspired by music. It is one of several of the Library Hotel Collection of hotels, which include hotels in Toronto, Canada, the United States and Prague. The building has been meticulously designed to celebrate the exceptional architectural heritage of the palaces of Budapest. To complement the musical concept, designer Zoltan Varro's vision was to recreate the rich, lavish atmosphere of a historic Hungarian palace and to embrace visitors in the warmth and comfort of a private residence. THE CLASSICAL MUSIC WING The power and beauty of classical music is expressed through Neo-Baroque style furnishings which have been modernized with streamlined forms and colors. Shades of hazelnut contrast with the vivid pop of turquoise to create a haven of sophisticated elegance, heightened by the drama of Venetian Murano glass chandeliers, coffered ceilings, and a historical Violin sketch etched into the custom-made carpets. Dream the night away to the strains of music by Liszt, Chopin, Bach or Beethoven, just to name a few. THE JAZZ WING Inspired by the ambience of a 1920's jazz club, the Jazz rooms swing with cool Hollywood glamour in the form of spotlights and polished chrome trunk-style writing tables, mixed with the edgy roughness of hard floors, exposed brick ceilings and accent walls which were created utilizing the original brick from the historic 19th century building. Highlights of Jazz rooms include Art Nouveau furnishings and a custom-made area rug featuring an etching of a Saxophone. Jam with the legends of Jazz, from Billie Holiday to Miles Davis and Count Basie to B.B. King. THE OPERA WING Elegance and luxury await your arrival in the Opera Wing! These rooms revel in the rich marriage of Neo-Baroque furnishings 26 I ottawaoutdoors
modernized with streamlined forms and colors. The pairing of cool shades of gray with sensuous shades of lilac and orchid create a lush and decadent color palatte. The drama is heightened with Murano Venetian glass chandeliers, tufted velvet headboards and historical musical instrument sketches etched into the custommade carpets. Lose yourself in a masterpiece with music by Mozart, Handel, Puccini or Verdi. THE CONTEMPORARY WING The bright, fresh spirit of contemporary music is interpreted visually through the inspiration of the Pop Art style of the 1970's. Bold colors and whimsical elements that include custom-made headboards create an ambience that's both fun and funky. Spend a night with the Supremes, the Fab Four, the Prince of Pop, The Godfather of Soul, or the King himself. “Pop music often tells you everything is OK, while rock music tells you that it's not OK, but you can change it.� Bono, On the Move.
ARIA HOTEL BUDAPEST
Aria Hotel Budapest Budapest H-1051, Hungary stay@ariahotelbudapest.com New York Sales Office: +1-212-201-1155 Hotel Number +3614454055 www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
Why you will love the Aria Hotel Budapest • Beautiful boutique hotel design inspired by music • Complimentary breakfast each morning • Complimentary afternoon wine & cheese • Free high-speed wireless internet • Perfect location beside St. Stephen's Basilica • Stunning year-round roof garden with 360˚views • Pool, spa, fitness centre, steam bath, sauna and whirlpool • Guestrooms start at $325 Euro, or approximately $410 USD with introductory rates as low as $195 Euro. • Investment ties to Canada to support our economy and you can now ENJOY direct flights from Montreal and Toronto starting in June! www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
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SPOTLIGHT CON'T: LIBRARY HOTEL special feature on new york’s library hotel HEADING TOcollection NEW YORK THIS SUMMER? CHECK OUT COLLECTION OF HOTELS
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ABOUT THE LIBRARY HOTEL COLLECTION
Hotelier Henry Kallan’s Library Hotel Collection is composed of seven hotels. 60 East 54th Streetluxury between ParkMembers and of the collection include six small luxury madison Avenues, New York, NY 10022 hotels including the recently opened Aria Phone 212-753-1066, fax 212-980-9278 Hotel Budapest and a 403-room www.elyseehotel.com urban resort, Hotel X Toronto set to info@elyseehotel.com open in spring 2016. Each of its small European-style boutique hotels in Manhattan HOTEL ELYSE�andEabroad has its own distinctive personality and charm. What they timeless share is astyle commitment to providing The of classic “Old New York” timeless beauty, value experiand an sets the stage for exceptional an unforgettable outstanding experience. ence in one oftravel manhattan’s most desirable Kallan, one of New leading “indie” neighbourhoods. WithYork’s the romantic ambiboutique hoteliers,service createdofthe book lovers ance and gracious a private country paradise, the Library Hotel, the inn, the Hotel Elysée is consistently acclaimed country style Hotel Elysée, as one ofFrench the city’s best loved hotels. As the renowned Monkey Bar,Bar, the Hotel home of the world famous monkey jewel-like motif Casablanca Elysée wasMoroccan once a playground for the rich and Hotel,and the chic retrothe glamorous Hotel eccentric has been permanent NYC Giraffe and the musically-themed Aria address of many movie stars, artists, writers Hotel Prague. and intellectuals over the years. Hotel Elysée fourvoted Newthe York Cityromantic hotels have wasThe twice most hotel in achieved of maintaining New Yorkthe by distinction Citysearch and was named top “Best 10 placements 450 hotels in Small New Yorkamong Hotel”over by Travel & leisure New York City on TripAdvisor for moreofthan magazine. recipient of the Certificate eight years,Award at one 2013. time having all four New Excellence York hotels ranked in the number one to Trip four Advisor spots forquote NYC. Condé Nast is Traveler “Hotel Elysée a gemreaders in NYC!selected After walkThe into Library Hotel as one thesurrounded Top 25 ing Hotel Elysée youofare Besta relaxed Hotels inand Newinviting York City in the 2014 by atmosphere. Readers’ Choice My husband andAwards. I loved the feeling of a The Aria Hotel Prague was recognized smaller boutique hotel instead of one of in this year’s Travelers Choice Awards the many chain hotels.” from TripAdvisor as the #1 hotel in the Czech Republic once again. Currently, the Casablanca Hotel, reigns as the #2 ranked hotel in New York and has won three Travelers Choice Awards including Best Service USA and twice for Top 25 Hotels in the USA.
When you visit New York, visit us for a night of Italian food! “Next to the popular Casablanca Hotel, come in for a night of Old New York Italian favourites since I first opened in 1959. My cooking comes from Southern Neopolitan traditions, and are served up in huge family style platters for 2 to 3 people. My recipes have been handed down to my children who have continued to bring our traditions to you. We have watched thousands of New York families grow up with us at our dinner table, and we invite you to come and see us anytime!”
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TO BOOK INTO ANY OF THESE GREAT HOTELS, VISIT THE WEBSITE – www.LibraryhHotelCollection.com
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Temagami wilderness a window into history and environmental protection FIVE-DAY FAMILY PADDLE A CHALLENGE AND A JOY By Peter McKinnon
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he world’s oldest red and white pine forest and an array of other natural treasures help make the Temagami region one of Canada’s top canoe-trip destinations. Temagami also boasts a rich history – Aboriginal Peoples have paddled here for more than six millennia. And in our own time, a logging blockade by activists in 1989 helped save old-growth forest. Last year in July, I got a taste of it during a five-night family canoe trip and hike through that same forest. Although less than a six-hour drive from Ottawa, some canoe trippers consider Temagami too remote and rugged. Adventurous campers and paddlers are drawn by the isolation, spectacular trails, and challenging portages. By comparison, Algonquin Park is genteel and civilized. My brother and I have completed many family canoe trips over the years. This one would include four parents and two grown children. We met at Smoothwater Lodge in Temagami for one night to enjoy a swim and dinner before setting out the following morning. Francis Boyes and Johanna Kilbridge are ideal hosts, offering great food and rooms, seasoned advice, top-quality gear (three canoes, paddles and vests) and reliable shuttle service to the put-in. Smoothwater also provided the permits from Ontario Parks ($10 per person per night). At the last minute, I hefted our old four-kilogram tent, thought about the arduous portages in our near future, and rented one of Smoothwater’s lightweight versions.
Francis drove us and our gear to the portage leading to Sandy Inlet on Lake Temagami. Ever the gentleman, he even schlepped a couple of loads to the put-in. We loaded the canoes and headed out into a steady breeze. That breeze turned into quite a challenge on the first day and a half of paddling. Getting across Lake Temagami required careful zigzagging and hard digging to avoid getting broadsided by sizeable waves. The thought of capsizing on the first morning out, fully loaded and hundreds of metres from shore, kept us all focused and energized. When headwinds continued on that second day, I wondered about altering our route (this was supposed to be a holiday, after all). But our efforts were rewarded on day four, when we lashed a tarp to two paddles and harnessed the steady breeze for a quick and effortless seven-kilometre sail across Lake Temagami. Paddles on either side served as rudders, maximizing both speed and laughter. Francis had laid out a four-night route through lakes Temagami, Diamond and Wakimika, along a stretch of the narrow, beaverdammed Wakimika River into Obabika Lake, then back to Lake Temagami and Sandy Inlet. Portages ranged from 100 to 800 metres over everything from relatively flat trails to uneven ground strewn with ankle-twister rocks. Many put-ins and take-outs were steep and awkward and we saw few other canoeists until we re-entered Lake Temagami. A highlight for all of us was a three-hour hike into the largest continuous stand of oldgrowth red and white pine forest in the world at the north end of Obabika Lake. Known as the Wakimika Triangle, the area is laced with trails and accessible only by water. We followed one that leads past the much-photographed Three Sisters to Cheeskon-abikong Lake. There we stopped to marvel at spectacular cliffs and appreciate why Aboriginal Peoples consider the
Looking out over Chee-skon-abikong Lake during the old-growth forest hike. (Photo: Peter McKinnon)
region sacred and why people took action to protect it. In 1989, a long-simmering dispute over the rights of loggers, First Nations and environmentalists boiled over and protestors blockaded a key access road. Police arrested 11 protestors, including Bob Rae, who became Ontario premier the following year. Among the protest leaders was Hap Wilson, the original owner of Smoothwater Outfitters, and the author of the definitive book of the region’s canoe routes. The province eventually revoked the original logging permit, effectively conserving the forest for the foreseeable future. After our hike, we had a swim and packed up for the paddle to that night’s campsite. We reflected thankfully on those who had stood up for what they felt was right, and in the process enabled us to enjoy such a wonderful vacation. Temagami remains in the centre of disputes over land ownership and use. Francis and Johanna are passionate advocates: he is a founding member of Friends of Temagami and advised the province on forestry management as a member of the local citizens’ committee; she participated in the blockade as a toddler. And as business owners, they are eager to share the region’s natural wonders with visitors. Logging, of course, creates both short-term economic benefits and long-term environmental impacts. As we headed home, we took comfort in knowing that a little bit of the old-growth forest that once covered most of eastern Canada still stands proud.
Easy sailing across Lake Temagami. (Photo: Larisa Garrett)
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COOLGEAR FOR THE SPRING SEASON SVEN 21" FOLDING WOOD SAW – $33.75 Rip through deadfall or driftwood easily. The Sven’s blade cuts on both the push and the pull phase of the stroke. For carrying, the blade folds safely inside the handle, so you can slip it into your pack. For cutting, the frame forms a rigid triangle shape. This longer model makes trail maintenance and wilderness furniture construction go faster. Look for it at mec.ca ECOXGEAR ECOSTONE WATERPROOF WIRELESS SPEAKER – $169 Can’t patch your MP3 through the 8-track player? This waterproof, buoyant speaker lets you take your music anywhere, hot tubs, campsites, and rental cars with broken stereos. It hooks up via Bluetooth to the device that has your music. It even acts as a speakerphone so you can take your important calls in the tub. Look for it at mec.ca/.
MEC EXPLORER DOWN SLEEPING BAG 0C ‑ INFANTS TO YOUTHS (UNISEX) – $149 Let the younger members of your expedition enjoy the body-hugging warmth only a down-filled mummy bag can deliver. During the day, they (or maybe you) will also appreciate the small size and lightness when it's in the pack. Look for it at mec.ca/.
BIOLITE BASECAMP GRILL – $340 A group-sized version of BioLite’s super-efficient woodstove/USB charger. The BioLite BaseCamp is bigger than the CampStove and improved in many other ways. A side-loading fuel chamber lets you add wood without taking your pot off the flame. The dual-purpose cooking surface adjusts from boiling to grilling with a flame spreading lever. The internal battery runs the fan and banks power for future use when you’re not charging devices. An LED dashboard helps you adjust the fire for the best charging efficiency for phones or other USB-chargeable device. Consider it essential gear for any well-appointed basecamp or bugout location. Look for it at mec.ca
SPEEDMINTON S400 SET – $119.99 No court, no rules, no limits – from a relaxed game at the beach to an adrenaline-charged volley in total darkness. Just play — without keeping score — for fun and action wherever you have enough space. This competitions set includes two speed racquets made of carbon composite and stiffer frames to allow a higher string tension. A multifilament string is used which creates a higher rebound effect in the sweet spot area. Look for it at www.speedminton.ca/.
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MEC STORM DEGREE JACKET – $250 Wait out endless storm cycles around camp or hunker down at the belay in this weather-resistant parka. The breathable face fabric reduces internal condensation and repels water. Taped, welded baffles eliminate needle holes at the seam lines, creating even less chance for moisture or cold to get in. The jacket is stuffed with 800-fill power down that's DWR-treated to maintain its loft and warmth even through daily wear. You don't need to add another layer to keep the down protected from wetness and saturation. Look for it at mec.ca
PUZLOOK SLR MULTI-LENS MOBILE PHOTO CASE FOR IPHONE 5/5s) – $129.95 Perfect for the outdoor enthusiast, this case carries touts a camera lens for every occassion. Whether it's to cleanly and propery zoom-in onto an element of nature, or just to take some great shots of friends, it has e verything you need for the best photographs. It includes: a 5–lens optical mobile case for iphone 5/5s; lightweight 70gms; compact size; SLR quality lenses manufactured in Japan; available in four colours, black, white, silver & pink. As well it has: an 8gb USB memory stick (doubles as handsfree kickstand); integrated universal tripod mount. Don't fret about clips, magnets or detachable lens covers. Just attach puzlook to your iphone, point and click and you're ready to go. Look for it at wwwpuzlook.com/.
MEC Happytrails Child Carrier Backpack – $119 This MEC kid carrier features a real backpack suspension system – with a lushly padded hipbelt, and a shoulder strap attachment point that is infinitely adjustable for any user up to 183cm in height – making your child easier to carry in the backcountry. The five-point child-restraint harness is the safest we know of, and its straps are fleece covered for comfort. The diaper bag clips off to become a daypack. A sun hood is included at no additional charge. Carries children up to 23kg. Happy trails! Look for it at mec.ca.
NAPOLEON TQ285X – $399 Take gourmet grilling anywhere, on any terrain with the Napoleon TravelQ™ TQ285X Portable Gas Grill with Scissor Cart. This portable grill is fixed to a scissor cart that folds down for easy upright storage, you can even hang it on a wall, and sets up in seconds with just a lift and pull. The integrated side shelves provide prep area with a place for your towels and tools. The large wheels traverse any terrain easily, whether you’re grilling on the deck or grilling in the woods. Look for it at www.bbqing.com
BLACK DIAMOND MESA 2 PERSON TENT – $375 This 2-person tent provides extended comfort for your backpacking trips and weekends away. The mesh interior provides 360-degree views if you remove the fly to sleep out in hot weather. Both doors have vestibules, so you both have a place to store gear and put your boots on out of the rain. Look for it at mec.ca.
Pedal Easy Light-weight Electric Bikes – fm $1500 Pedal Easy is an integrated design, combining an ultralight-weight power system with a light-weight touring frame and high-end bicycle components. Motor speed, size, power and battery capacity have all been optimized to encourage riding. It is first and foremost a bicycle. Most e-bikes are much heavier and have not been designed to encourage pedalling and power-free riding, but rather they have been primarily designed for the free ride. All bikes have full fenders, kickstand, bell and ergonomic handlebar grips. Look for it at www.pedaleasy.ca
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TTAWA
UTDOORS MUSIC FESTIVALS
WESTFEST When? June 13 & 14 Where? Westboro Village – Richmond Road (between McRae and Berkley Ave.) Bike friendly? Yes (plenty of bike parking) Beer? Yes Tip: Bring a stroller to fit in. www.westfest.ca
CARIVIBE BEACH FESTIVAL When? Beach Festival, June 20 Where? Beach Festival, Petrie Island 727 Trim Road / Parade & Block Party, St. Josephs Blvd. to Centrum, Orleans Bike friendly? Yes (Bike Park) Beer? Yes Tip: Drink lots of water, bring your dancing shoes and a hearty appetite for jerk chicken. www.carivibe.com
FESTIVAL FRANCO-ONTARIEN When? June 11-13 Where? Major’s Hill Park Bike friendly? Yes Beer? Yes Tip: Ride the Ferris wheel. Practice your French. www.ffo.ca
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OTTAWA JAZZ FESTIVAL When? June 18–July 1 Where? Confederation Park (Elgin Street and Laurier Avenue) Bike friendly? Yes (Bike Park) Beer? Yes Tip: Try not to talk. Careful where you stand. www.ottawajazzfestival.com
BLUESFEST OTTAWA When? July 8–19 Where? Lebreton Flats Park (War Museum) Bike friendly? Yes (Bike park) Beer? Yes Tip: Leave your lawn chairs at home. Take your bike, walk or bus to the site. www.ottawabluesfest.ca
MUSIC AND BEYOND When? July 4–17 Where? Various venues in the city Bike friendly? Yes (no bike park) Beer? No Tip: Arrive early www.musicandbeyond.ca
OTTAWA CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL When? July 23 to August 6 Where? Various venues in the city Bike friendly? Yes (no bike park) Beer? No Tip: Arrive early, try not to talk, no cell phones please. www.chamberfest.com
GATINEAU HOT AIR BALLOON FEST When? September 3-7 Where? Parc de La Baie, 988, rue St-Louis, Gatineau Bike friendly? Yes Beer? Yes and SAQ Tents Tip: Enjoy the Midway and the poutine! www.montgolfieresgatineau.com
CITYFOLK FESTIVAL When? September 16-20 Where? Lansdowne Park Bike friendly? Yes Beer? Yes Tip: Take your bike! Don’t smoke. www.cityfolkfestival.ca
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Peterborough & the Kawarthas for a different world PETROGLYPHS, FIRST NATIONS CULTURE AT CURVE LAKE, PADDLING EVERYWHERE By Katharine Fletcher | Photos: Eric Fletcher
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tudying at Trent University started my lifelong affection for Ontario’s Peterborough & the Kawarthas region. It has a geological foundation of glaciated drumlins, eskers and lakes that have been developed by local residents into a wonderland for play, relaxation and learning. Eric and I have visited many times and will return in June to paddle and perhaps take another workshop at the Canadian Canoe Museum. What’s bringing us back, again and again? Take a look.
ELMHIRST’S RESORT This family resort on the north shore of Rice Lake offers so much outdoorsy fun that you’ll want to just park, pick your activity and jump in. Horseback riding offers an intriguing way to explore the woods and fields, topped by grand views of the lake itself. Hike the grounds and swim or paddle the lake, then finish the day with a farmto-table “terroir” dinner. Or rent a lakeside housekeeping cabin for family or friends and stay a while. If you’re inclined to go kiteboarding, host Stephen Elmhirst has best-practice tips and a friendly welcome here from all the Elmhirst family, dedicated hands-on owners And it’s only a three-hour drive from Ottawa. What’s special? An aerial orientation and perspective of the landscape via Elmhirst’s floatplane. Take off from the lake and see it and the resort recede as you gain altitude. Our enthusiastic pilot was totally up to speed on local landmarks and offered an intriguing aerial perspective of where we had been canoeing at Curve Lake First Nations. Then we flew over “my” Trent University and two of Canada’s National Historic Sites: the Trent-Severn Waterway and the Peterborough Lift Lock. www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
Carving our own custom-built paddle.
CURVE LAKE FIRST NATION This community about 25 kilometres northeast of Peterborough occupies a peninsula that splits Buckhorn and Chemong lakes, and is home to about 2,700 people. We rented a rustic housekeeping cabin overlooking Chemong Lake from the band council, ditched our gear, and headed out into the shallows in the canoe that came with the cabin, paddling through metre-high stands of wild rice. These emerald-green plants whispered and rustled as we skimmed between their long, cattail-like blades. Great blue herons stood sentinel, awaiting an unwary fish or frog, mallards and black ducks paddled by, and an osprey hunted overhead. On shore, two white-tail deer watched as we spied painted turtles basking on logs. What’s special? The wild rice. This native plant was decimated when the Trent-Severn
waterway flooded its natural habitat. Built over 87 years starting in 1833, this waterway now links Georgian Bay to Lake Ontario. But shallow lakes became deep lakes unsuited to the plant and First Nations people lost a staple food source. Today, James Whetung still gathers it from remnant shoreline stands and sells it at the Peterborough Farmers’ Market in autumn. Despite this calamity the community retained its art and culture, on display at the Whetung Ojibwa Centre, including one of my favourite crafts – porcupine-quill boxes. And if you don’t get there before summer’s over, the September powwow is fun too.
PETROGLYPHS PROVINCIAL PARK This park became a National Historic Site of Canada in 1981 because it’s home to the largest concentration of ancient rock carvings ottawaoutdoors I 35
Slacklining has arrived A “SKINNY TRAMPOLINE” TO WOBBLE YOUR WAY TO A NEW KIND OF FITNESS By Leslie Foster
in Canada. After a 30-kilometre drive up Highway 28 northeast of Peterborough, we oriented ourselves at the Interpretive Centre and joined a tour led by a Curve Lake guide half a kilometre to a building designed to protect the petroglyphs. Inside, a raised platform extends around a 55-metre by 20-metre dome of limestone that was originally exposed to the elements. On its surface more than 700 images carved between a thousand and 1,500 years ago depict shamans, snakes, and other symbols whose meanings are lost in time. It’s a fantastical site deserving protection. What’s special? The Learning Place Interpretive Centre explains how the petroglyphs were discovered, relates their stories, and links them to First Nations culture.
CANADIAN CANOE MUSEUM This is the world’s largest collection of paddled watercraft. It’s on Monahan Road in Peterborough and worth half a day at least to take in its array of canoes and kayaks. Former prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s fringed buckskin jacket and Bill Mason’s red canoe are part of the collection – as is a folding canoe, which came as a complete surprise to me. What’s special? Years ago, Eric and I built our own cedar-strip canoe and discovered the museum’s paddle-carving weekend. Three volunteers walked about a dozen of us through the techniques of fashioning our own custom-built paddles. Eric and I now have two paddles ideal for flat-water paddling with Windigo, our canoe. Check out the range of other workshops offered by the museum. More information is a click away at Peterborough & Kawartha’s Tourism and the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada. 36 I ottawaoutdoors
Maxym Langlois, a fit, competitive 20-year-old has been a climber (gyms, rock faces) since childhood. But it was a kid who shamed him into slacklining. One day at the gym, he saw his first slackline and tried it out. “I couldn’t even walk a metre,” he recalled. “And there was this little 10-year-old kid that walked the entire length! My ego was bruised,” he said with a laugh, “and I spent the next four hours practising. I couldn’t walk the next day.” These days, “I like to install my own line in parks or behind the Parliament [Hill]. I even competed in Boston. Now I do it mostly just for fun in parks,” Langlois said. If you want to see slacklining in action, Altitude Gym on Boulevard SaintRaymond in Gatineau is one place to go. The real pros like Langlois have long since gone beyond just getting from one end to the other of a flexible piece of webbing strung between trees or anchors. It’s like a trampoline, stretchy and bouncy, with ratchets to adjust the tension at each end. It’s a bit like breakdancing. Experienced slackliners do flips, get two people onto the line at once, even practise yoga. I watched Langlois balance on his hands with his body parallel to the ground. Impressive! A slacklining performer is anywhere from a few centimetres to a couple of metres in the air doing these tricks, so there are safety mats below to prevent cracked heads from hard landings in indoor settings. The sport originated in the climbing world, so a climbing gym like Altitude is a predictable location. Unlike a tightrope’s round rigid wire or rope, slacklines are flat so your foot doesn’t roll, and more dynamic – stretching and bouncing like a long narrow trampoline. The flat surface
is easier to learn on, and beginner versions have a rubberized texture for added friction and grip. When you get the hang of slacklining, count on improved core balance, mental concentration, fluidity of motion, agility and strength. Langlois says when he’s on the line, “I’m only thinking of my steps, my stomach, my arms … about what I’m doing in that moment.” Slacklines are polyester or nylon. Polyester is more rigid, easier for beginners and adaptable for “longlining,” hooking up several slacklines for distances longer than 15 metres. Nylon is more flexible and best for those spectacular tricks by the pros. A three-centimetre-wide line is best for beginners, but skilled slackliners often use one half as wide for “highlining” and traversing longer distances. Kits for all range of skill cost from around $80 and you can spend up to $300. They’re on sale at Mountain Equipment Co-op, Altitude Gym, Play Value Toys, Mastermind Toys and Amazon. ca. Here’s some for beginners: Slackline Industries Play Line is a wide design with a rubberized texture for added grip. It comes with a bonus “help line” so you can hang on, kind of like training wheels on a kid’s bike. Slackers Wave Walker also has a help line. Gibbon X13 Funline is made from tightly woven polyester. It’s a little more rigid, but its rubberized surface provides added grip. If you buy one, think “safety first,” starting with location. Set it up in www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
super-visible. It’s no fun blundering into a line you didn’t see. Use tree protectors, or a strip of carpeting, rags, cardboard, or anything else at your anchor point to protect trees and your equipment. Langlois’ tips for beginners? First, walk placing one foot in front of
the other. Second, keep your arms relaxed, not tense. And lastly and most importantly, practise, don’t get discouraged. Does he recommend slacklining? “Yes! It’s a fantastic sport. And you can set up anywhere you have two trees.”
PHOTO BY MARIECLAUDE CHARRON
a highly visible location with no pedestrian or bicycle traffic. Once it’s up, keep an eye on it because it’s a tempting but dangerous attraction for children. Use lights, fluorescent tape or signs to prevent accidents by making it
Live Local Jazz every Sunday-Tuesday-Wednesday evening.
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OUTDOOR SUMMER ADVENTURE CLUBS ACC Ottawa Section Adventure Sports Access Group Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists Black Sheep Cycling Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society Creative Wheel Esprit Rafting Hike Ontario Madawaska Kanu Centre Natural Fitness Lab Ottawa Bicycle Club Ottawa Inline Skating Club Ottawa Mountain Biking Association Ottawa New Edinburgh Club Ottawa Orienteering Club Ottawa Outdoor Club Ottawa Rambling Club Ottawa Rowing Club Ottawa Sailing School Ottawa Triathlon Club OttawaCarleton Ultimate Association Oxygene Rideau Trial Association River Run Rafting Somersault Events TriRudy uOttawa Outdoors Club de plein air
www.alpineclubottawa.ca www.asag.ca www.abrweb.ca www.blacksheepmtb.com www.cpaws.org www.creativewheel.ca www.espritrafting.com www.hikeontario.com www.owl-mkc.ca www.naturalfitnesslab.com www.ottawabicycleclub.ca www.inlineottawa.com www.ottawamba.org www.onec.ca www.ottawaoc.ca www.ottawaoutdoorclub.ca www.ottawaramblers.org www.ottawarowingclub.com www.boattraining.com www.ottawatriathlonclub.com www.ocua.ca www.cluboxygene.qc.ca www.rideautrial.org www.riverrunners.com www.somersault.ca www.trirudy.com www.outdehors.ca
PICNIC IN STYLE! Food, drink, pack or basket ready • choose from either a traditional picnic basket or a prepared backpack for Wakefield or Gatineau Park • each come with a fresh baguette, salad, white or red wine or beer, a selection of artisan cheeses, cured meat, accompaniments, place settings and of course, a picnic blanket • choice to rent either a canoe or bike to add to your romantic day • return the basket or keep it for a small fee • begins May 24th through all summer long
Terrasse Radisson is located at 721 Riverside in the Historic Wakefield Inn looking over the picturesque Gatineau river and the covered Wakefield bridge.
STAY THE WEEKEND! If you plan to make this truly a memorable occasion, Terrasse Radisson has live jazz each Saturday from 6–9pm, and we are working closely with les Trois Erables for their bed and breakfast to offer a full weekend package. The potential to enjoy a day with a canoe rental, picnic, dinner with live jazz and a romantic night at les Trois Erables makes for the perfect weekend.
(819) 720-0110 www.TerrasseRadisson.com 38 I ottawaoutdoors
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GOURMET LUNCHES+ DINNERS BEERS/WINES JAZZ
Another reason to love W a k e f i e l d
COME FOR LUNCH OR DINNER+JAZZ Located in Wakefield Quebec (25 minutes from Ottawa), Terrasse Radisson is a purveyor of fine Artisan Charcuterie and Cheese. Located inside the original Wakefield Inn. Focusing on Quebec artisanal produce, enjoy creative and quality sandwiches, charcuterie and cheese plates prepared with care. This unique restaurant creates an opportunity to both sample and purchase fabulous products prepared with caring and creativity. Join us for Dinner and Live music Saturday nights from 5pm until 10pm. Wine pairings and a fine selection of charcuterie and cheese! Reservations required for parties of 8 or more.
ENJOY. TASTE. RELAX. Each month a unique and exciting wine is explored and shared with our customers. This feature is paired with either a fabulous Quebec cheese, some of our artisan charcuterie or a special appetizer created specifically to showcase the depth and balance of the selected wine. Fine wines from around the world.
(819) 720-0110
721 Riverside Drive Wakefield, Quebec HOURS Sun 10am to 8pm Mon 11am to 5pm Tue 11am to 5pm Thu 11am to 8pm Fri 11am to 9pm Sat 10am to 9pm
www.TerrasseRadisson.com www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
RESERVATIONS Call (819) 720–0110 from 8am – 8pm daily ottawaoutdoors I 39
Biking for bass
LOCAL TRAILS LEAD THE WAY TO FISHING NOOKS AROUNG THE CITY By Tim Allard | Photos Tim Allard
The work day had been bad enough that I wanted to unwind outside and be near water. With too little time to take my boat, I opted for the next best thing – I grabbed a few lures, strapped my rod to my bike, and peddled to some shoreline fishing spots along the western Ottawa River bike path. I stopped at a small bay, locked the bike and walked a well-worn path to the water’s edge. In a few casts, I hooked a smallmouth bass that put up a scrappy fight before being released. It was that simple. After two more fish, I biked to a sandy flat for some topwater action at dusk. I got a few more bass that smashed my floating lure as the sun hung low in the sky. By now it was time to head home. Setting off at a steady pace, I breathed the cool evening air and watched the warm light bathe the cityscape. The pleasure was en-
hanced knowing I had spent an evening fishing within an hour’s bike ride from my city home.
THE SIMPLE APPROACH I love my boat, but at the end of a long day it’s sometimes not worth the hassle of towing it in traffic, putting in at a busy launch, and unloading gear. Cycling a pathway and fishing from shore is a simple alternative with many benefits. A bike lets you cover greater distances than walking. With wheels you can quickly fish
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several spots in a short time. It’s a versatile activity you can do solo or with your family. With my bike it’s always easy to squeeze some fishing into my schedule, not to mention the exercise you get from this environmentally friendly transportation.
GETTING STARTED Outfitting your bike for fishing is easy. Although I cycle to work and use panniers, I prefer a backpack when fishing. This way all my equipment (lures, camera, snacks, etc.) is on my back and easily accessible. And a backpack is more functional when walking on uneven, rocky shoreline. I own MEC’s Spirit Velo 25 Daypack, but any brand will do if it’s the right size for your fishing tackle and some extra gear. I like packs with side zippers, so I can quickly get at gear. Cycling backpacks can be handy, especially ones with shock cord systems for storing a helmet, and mesh side pockets for water bottles. With a backpack you can carry all your gear and you won’t need to leave any behind with your bike. To transport my fishing rod, I use the same system I have used since I started biking and fishing from shore. I secure both pieces of a two-piece rod with Velcro rod wraps along the top tube of the bike frame, with the rod is positioned between
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the two brake cables below the handlebars. This way it won’t interfere with your steering.
CHOOSING A ROUTE The route you choose is dependent on what paths and water are close to your home. Or, if you’re willing to load your bike onto your vehicle, or on one of OC Transpo’s Rack and Roll buses. You’ll find dozens of pathways in the Ottawa area worth exploring. The Ottawa River pathway provides great access to fishing its shoreline. Starting in the west, Dick Bell Park to the Champlain Bridge is a productive stretch, as is the Lemieux Island shoreline. East of Parliament Hill the pathway meets the river just below Rockcliffe. From the Rockcliffe Yacht Club to Orleans, the shore provides dozens of fishing spots. When fishing the Ottawa River pathway, try features like points, bays, rocky shorelines and the creeks emptying into the river. The Rideau River and Rideau Canal pathways are also great angling routes. Some well-known angling spots along these paths include the areas around New Edinburgh Park, Riverrain Park, Dow’s Lake and across from Billings Bridge Plaza, to name a few. Gatineau also has something for the fishing enthusiast. Voyagers Pathway (from Deschênes Rapids east to Mousette Park) has good shore areas, with others east of the Alexandra Bridge as well.
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CYCLING AND URBAN ANGLING CAUTIONS Here are a few things to keep in mind. Even when fishing from shore, be cautious about currents, as some fast-water sections on the Ottawa River are deceiving calm. It’s also important to tread lightly on fragile shorelines, and use established paths. Keep an eye out for natural and urban hazards, like poison ivy or broken glass. When fishing from shore and along pathways, heed “No Fishing” signs around bridges or private property. You’ll also want to ensure your bike is outfitted with proper safety gear, including a
bell and reflectors. Carry lights if you intend to fish til dark. Bring a quality lock and use it. And don’t forget your fishing licence.
TOP LURES FOR SHORELINE FISHING You want a variety of lures for fishing from shore for different conditions and the different moods of fish. Here are some favourites. • Spinnerbaits cover water quickly and are relatively snag-free. • Shallow-running crankbaits have a tempting wiggle and are an alternative to cover water fast. • Topwater baits – another snag-free option – float on the surface, and are excellent in calm conditions and at dusk. • Jigs are great when fishing a steep bank or fast moving water, and you need to get to fish feeding on the bottom. • Soft-plasticjerk baits are designed to look like a minnow, and can be rigged to not snag in weeds, making them a great bait to throw in heavy vegetation. CYCLING MAPS For bike paths in Ottawa and Gatineau visit: http://www.capitalcyclingmap.ca
Three distinct and separated areas in the pub
• 14 high resolution tv’s and an 8 foot drop screen • the coldest and best selection of draft in the south end (not to mention the finest food) • preferred venue to catch all sporting and live music events
Mingle, chill with friends or watch the game LIVE MUSIC Fridays & Saturdays
Ask about team sponsorships
Moose McGuire’s is an exciting new family-owned neighbourhood pub in both Ottawa South and Almonte. Moose’s is a collaboration of 3 service-minded industry vets with a combined 60years of hospitality experience.
The freshest and tastiest pub fare in the city. Always delicious and reasonably priced, from our 5 star kitchen. Weekly Chef-created specials. Book our private room for groups gatherings.
TWO LOCATIONS!
3320 McCarthy Rd. Ottawa, ON 613.680.4411
385 Ottawa St. Almonte, ON 613.256.2555
At Moose’s we serve the freshest and tastiest pub fare in the city. Always delicious and reasonably priced, you’ll enjoy everything that comes out of our 5-star kitchen.
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ADVENTURE TRAVEL
On the photo hunt for Manitoba’s “big five” RIDING MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK AND CHURCHILL ARE WILDLIFE HAVENS By Katharine Fletcher
My heart was racing, with white knuckles gripping my paddle. About 100 white whales had encircled our group’s kayaks. They were diving, surfacing, exhaling big bursts of moisture-laden breath, sucking in air, then diving again. Watching this beluga ballet, it slowly dawned on me that there was no danger; they were curious. Suddenly one broke away, a white streak in the cobalt blue waters of the Churchill River estuary, heading straight at me. At the last minute it turned, twisted its head, and regarded me with its cheerful cetacean “smile.” I bent over, and for an unforgettable moment we gazed at one another. Then it dove beneath my kayak, giving it a playful bump before rejoining its pod. In a few minutes, they were gone. While the Frontiers North Adventures company cannot promise magical encounters on its “big five safari,” when Mother Nature rules, you never know what will happen. And that’s what was so rewarding about this eight-day August adventure. Frontiers North paired two of Manitoba’s vastly different habitats, giving participants a chance to see five of Manitoba’s most spectacular mam-
mals – moose, black bear, polar bear, bison and beluga whales. Guests first fly to Winnipeg to mingle, enjoy dinner, and spend the night. Next morning it’s off to Riding Mountain National Park, 268 kilometres west of “the Peg” for black bear, plains bison, and moose. On day four we flew to Churchill, home to polar bears and belugas. I loved this trip for its informed guiding and the opportunities to see wildlife in their eco-niches. Here’s what I found in both areas.
RIDING MOUNTAIN This national park is where fescue prairie grasslands, boreal forest and aspen parklands come together. Wolves, coyotes, fox, lynx, beaver, elk, deer and more join the big mammals the tour company hopes people see. Though we traveled in a shuttle bus looking for critters, there were many opportunities to hike. The first misty morning, with boots on the ground we photographed monarda, harebell, fireweed and yarrow wildflowers – along with ladybugs bejewelled with dewdrops. Back in the bus, down the road, a cluster of vehicles on the highway signalled a bull
moose. As luck would have it, we missed the spectacle of this one sparring with another male but it was a good sighting. As always, this seemingly ungainly animal mystified me. How can it possibly pass between tree trunks with a two-metre rack of antlers? While I pondered, as if to mock me it turned, effortlessly disappearing into the forest, antlers and all. With a nice adrenaline rush, we scanned for black bear as we approached Lake Audy plains bison enclosure, where Parks Canada manages 30 or so of them. You might think they’d be easy to spot in a “pen,” but no, they often elude visitors. But the gods smiled upon us and the herd wandered out of the aspen woods to mill about in front of our bus, so we could (had to!) stop, look, learn and take photos. Mums nursed calves, bulls warily eyed one another, and one mounted a female, giving us an unexpected up-close-and-personal view of mating. At the visitor centre, a Parks Canada interpreter told us about pre-European
Parks Canada's Lake Audy plains bison enclosure with its resident herd of bulls, cows and calves. Photo Katharine Fletcher.
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because they depended upon them for food, shelter, tools, clothing and trade. Tragically, European firearms brought them to the brink of extinction. This Lake Audy herd is a living reminder of the importance of balance in fragile ecosystems.
CHURCHILL
Polar bear glimpsed from the safety of Frontiers North Adventure's Tundra Buggy. Phot by Eric Fletcher
contact times when an estimated 50 million bison roamed North America. Their hooves shook the earth and left vast swathes
of prairie churned up… good for aeration of grassland soils, I’d guess. First Nations peoples worshipped them as powerful spirits,
Riding Mountain had whetted our appetite for white bears and whales. Calm Air flew us 1,500 kilometres from Winnipeg to the shores of Hudson Bay, along the way giving us great, sunny views of Lake Winnipeg, boreal forest and tundra. Upon arrival in Churchill, we got the polar bear drill. We were unequivocally informed that “going solo” wasn’t permitted on beaches or tundra. In town, emboldened bruins wander about and end up in polar bear jail, to be subsequently released “elsewhere.” If a bear’s patrolling the ’hood, the RCMP head out in search of people on Churchill’s streets in a bizarre counterpoint to wildlife watching. Our group was out photographing Aurora Borealis one night and the RCMP pulled up, told us to get into our cars and go to our hotel, immediately, as a bear was in town. We did. Polar bears are the largest bear on Earth. Aboard the Frontiers North tundra buggy (think a large van on steroids), we spied one swimming to a beach, emerging and shaking itself like a dog. It was a sobering symbol of raw power. They were also patrolling or snoozing on the rocky shore, swimming, and out on the tundra. Guide Paul Ratson showed us how his home is girded with bear-proofing equipment. Electric wires wrapped his house, ready to give a bruin a jolt. Bear “mats” – metal rugs of spikes – lie outside windows and doors. And they’re likely the world’s largest garden pest, Ratson explained. “We have a greenhouse here, but composting isn’t an option: Bears eat it.” So in Churchill and environs, guides like Ratson carry rifles and use them if necessary. Happily, our expeditions remained photosafaris with such safety measures as just part of the setting. To get to nearby Prince of Wales Fort National Historic Site (and its massive ruins from fur trade days) we boarded a Transport Canada tour boat and plied the Churchill River estuary, where I saw a “large blond boulder” morph into a real polar bear on the shore. Nature was showing me very precisely why solo hiking is not permitted. Not even the locals do it unless they have guns. Frontiers North’s Big Five Safari is a bucket-list hit, offering up some of Canada’s most intriguing ecosystems and wildlife. Worth the long flight north. Frontiers North's Tundra Buggy guide with polar bear skull. Photo by Katharine Fletcher.
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ADVENTURE TRAVEL
DESERTED BEACHES, MANGROVE FORESTS, TEEMING WILDLIFE SEA KAYAKING ALONG THAILAND’S ISOLATED COAST HAS IT ALL Story and photos by Tim Morch
“I can make Kang Khao Island,” my paddling partner said, “it’s only 15 kilometres.” We had just rounded the southwestern point of Phayam Island and conditions were good to cross the strong currents of Ratchakrut Channel. Ian Taylor and I were on our third kayak expedition – this place is hard to shake – down 600 kilometres of Thailand’s western coast in 22 days. We were aboard two Feathercraft Wisper XPS collapsible kayaks, capable of handling the waters of the Andaman Sea. A few hours later we landed on a narrow strip of beach, where the only signs of life were footprints of crab-eating macaques in the sand. Talk about getting away from it all. Thailand has more than 3,000 kilometres of coastline and hundreds of islands, all surprisingly unknown to sea kayakers. Ranong prov-
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ince on the country’s unspoiled and unexploited western coastline is where you can camp safely. Friendly people here welcome visitors to empty beaches, massive mangrove forests and a few fishing villages on islands offshore. Paddlers should note this coast is exposed to the Andaman Sea, so swell can be enormous, building across 2,000 kilometres of unimpeded waters between here and the Indian subcontinent to the west. So surf-launch and surf-landing skills are a must. As well, tidal forces can lift these waters as much as three and a half metres on the way up and fall the same distance six hours later. Tide charts are widely available and anybody who paddles without one is a fool – you might have to lug gear several hundred metres across a muddy flat or watch your kayak float away as the water rises.
Land access to this coastline is limited. The mangrove forests of the 300-squarekilometre, UN-designated Ranong Biosphere Reserve and nearby Khlong Kapoe are the most northerly on this coast. Khlong (“estuary” in English) Kapoe has three long watery arms clawing inland. Paddlers heading south pass small fishing villages where the khlong’s arms converge and empty their waters into the sea after passing through a region largely protected as part of Laem Son National Park. To get to that coastline, a good base is Phayam Island, roughly 25 kilometres from the tourist destination of Ranong. Rent a beachfront bungalow (they vary from typical Thai bamboo to air-conditioned resorts), get acquainted with the Andaman Sea, practise launch and landing and explore sheltered bays and mangrove forests. Phayam’s north point often provides a lesson in what can happen when swell, wind and tide collide. Neighbouring Chang Island has a scattering of bungalows, allowing a leisurely two- to three-night trip around the island without camping. Explore the biosphere reserve and camp on nearby Sai Dam Island. The mainland national park at Bang Ben Beach lies at the narrow mouth of Khlong Kapoe. Use a flood tide to push you in to explore the estuary and let the ebb pull you out. Southward, in the tiny fishing community of Baan Talae Nok one family bunks visitors in their home. Offshore, Mu Koh Kum Islands National Park is back in business after its offices were destroyed in the 2004 tsunami. Staff returned in 2013, so visitors can now spend a few days exploring these idyllic and uninhabited islands. www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
Crossing into northern Phang Nga Province, puts you in reach of three large islands. One of them, Ra Island, has a national park office on the northern end with camping, fresh water shower and a friendly park staff. Its west coast is dotted with stunning beaches, where a solitary sunset camp is yours. A narrow channel separates mountainous Ra Island from the flat – and intensely bio-diverse – Phra Thong Island. A turtle breeding program, mangrove protection strategy and safari-style, savannah wildlife tours to view deer, storks and hundreds of bird species have been put in place since the tsunami. Immense mangrove forests on the east side of these islands are reputed home to dugong and even a few saltwater crocodiles. Had I known this before I paddled through, I may have chosen another route. Local schoolchildren are learning about their environment and starting to lead nature tours. Rent a nearby bungalow on the west side beaches or camp next to Tawan Bar with Mr. Sak and enjoy southern Thai cuisine. The northern half of Kho Khao Island has one lonely resort and long stretch of empty beach, a far cry from the southern half where resorts abound and the tourism engine revs up. It’s a good place to start the journey north to Phayam Island, hitting the spots you missed on the way down. And perhaps discovering macaque footprints in the sand. Tim Morch is a professional travel and adventure photographer who covers the world.
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PUTTING BASICS | GOLF TIPS BY GORD PERCY A – In a good setup for putting, it is essential to have your shoulders and eyes aligned parallel to the target line. Right-handed putters should have their left eye directly over the ball. Precisely aim the putter — most golfers are too casual and do not aim anywhere near their target.
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B – On the backstroke, do not allow the putter to rotate open. Keep it square to the target line. Your stroke should be controlled by the rocking of your shoulders and therefore you should not have any wrist action or leg movement/rotation. The distance you hit should be controlled by the length of your backswing.
C – In your forward stroke, like the backstroke, you should keep the putter square while not using your wrists or turning your lower body. If you have done a correct stroke, the putter will accelerate but remain close to the ground and your followthrough should be as long as or longer than the backswing
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Settle into one of Ontario’s leading resorts where country warmth and luxury are combined with limitless seasonal activities. Welcome to Calabogie Peaks Resort, where nature provides a glorious backdrop of mountain, lake and land. The mountain, where a small group of enthusiasts carved out trails for skiers and hikers; the lake, which in the 1800s was part of the river system that carried the mature soft and hard woods for shipping overseas; and the land, welcoming adventurers every season of the year. Includes a stay at the Calabogie Peaks Hotel, breakfast, warm-up rounds at our executive Ironwoods 9-hole course & a full round at the beautiful Calabogie Highlands.
1-800-669-4861 (use code “golfout”)
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Excellent ideas for a fun backyard camping effect By Maryam Getz
Yard tenting is one of those events that almost families adore.Camping out, roasting marshmallows over a camp fire and spending a night under the stars can make an unforgettable backyard camping event for the entire family. Here are some advices to make sure camping in your backyard is the most fun likely.
INQUIRY Visit the library or bookstore for books regarding camping activities before announcing that you will be camping in the backyard. There are many books available in the market today that admit new inventive tips on how to cook over a campfire. Included in the books are also tips and games for your kids to enjoy backyard camping more. This is also a great way to introduce camping to them for the first time.
TENT SET UP Having a tent is high-quality, whilst it's not whole essential. Kids have been known to enjoy making forts, and just a little creativity, those universal blue tarps can be turned into a great tent. Sleeping bags are fine, but they are not entirely necessary. Blankets, duvets or comforters can do the job, as long as the temperatures at night stay warm enough. An inflatable mattress can also make the kids comfortable. However, if you have a tent ready, setting this up must be done on an area that is flat, dry and free of stones and tree roots. A good place for the tent would be near an entrance or in a direct path to an entrance to the house.
Let the kids participate in the setting up process for this would get them excited and they would eventually look forward to more traditional outdoor camping.
BEFORE EVENING FALLS Take advantage of a hot day before it gets dark by playing board games outside such a 'monopoly' or water games like 'battle ship dip'. This is an exciting way to get the evening of the backyard camping started. Kids enjoy games involving water wet and it's a fun way to cool off on a day that is hot.
CAMP FIRE AND COOKING You can build a campfire and cook over it, if your location or place allows it. An outdoor camping grill can be used for cooking if a campfire is not possible in the backyard. Hotdogs and hamburgers are the all time favourite for camping. Try using foil packs in the fire to try out something different. Layer the potatoes (thinly sliced), seasoning, meat and vegetables in the foil, wrap and cook over the fire. Once done, don't forget the marshmallows!
ENJOY MOVIES A small television can be place inside the tent for the entire family to watch movies, using a long outdoor extension cord. Kids love watching movies outdoors! Popcorn can be nibbled while watching movies. One of the suitable parts of camping on your backyard is that your home is just few steps away. Younger kids who are not used to sleep outside can easily make it back to their rooms if the need arises. Most of all, if the weather turns bad; you can immediately find a room in your house and clear it out to continue the fun indoors. ď Ž 50 I ottawaoutdoors
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Amish-built Sheds Garden Sheds Cabin-style sheds Gazebos and more!
Cabin-Style Sheds from $2300 (10x10) Garden Sheds from $1750 (8x8) Gazebos from $3000 (delivered/set-up) Adirondack Chairs from $150 * each shed comes with a colour metal roof, one door and a solid plywood floor * includes free delivery & set-up around region * many sizes available (up to 10x24s) * options: stain, windows, extra door, ramp
Contact Mike: (613) 229-6080 mike@jandmharvey.com www.jandmharvey.com 6044 Perth St., Richmond, ON
“We are thrilled with this gazebo. My husband got it all leveled easily and he is quite impressed with the quality and service. Thank you for your help and a wonderful addition to our home. “ ~ Glenda Bidwell, Renfrew ON
DECK OUT YOUR OUTDOORS FOR SPRING (NC) When the warm weather finally hits, nothing beats lounging in the sun on a beautiful deck in a landscaped yard. But to enjoy all the outdoor comforts of summer, there are some annual repair jobs around your outdoor space that should be completed. Once you're done this list of maintenance tips from The Home Depot Canada, your backyard will be ready for BBQ season and outdoor enjoyment. • The cool weather of early spring is the best time to clean your deck. Sweep away any debris left from fall and winter storms. Then use a power washer to remove dirt build-up along with any mould and mildew stains that may have formed over the last year. • Apply a fresh coat of sealant or stain to your deck on a dry day. Doing this in early spring gives it time to dry before placing patio furniture on the surface. A new coat of sealant will protect your deck from future moisture damage, fungus growth and ultraviolet light from the sun, ensuring a longer life for your backyard sanctuary. • To ensure a green lawn in the summer, take the time this spring to rake your lawn so sunlight and water can filter down to the roots. Reseed any bare patches so that new blades of grass will be in peak growing season for a lush lawn. • For the most robust perennials and trees this summer, prune them in early spring. Remove any dead or damaged stems before new growth begins.
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ottawaoutdoors I 53
diamond deck+fence Exceeding your Expectations. DESIGNING QUALITY AND LONG-LASTING DECKS+FENCES FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS.
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Deck boards can be installed in a custom pattern, we use exterior deck screws to install all our deck boards so as to ensure your deck boards will not raise causing buckling or unnecessary damage to your deck and or personal injury.
PRIVACY SCREENING
You may want to consider some type of privacy rail or screening in order to achieve your goal, as much as you may be friendly with your neighbours there comes a time when you just want to relax and have some alone time and privacy screening can offer you that and still look good.
PERGOLAS
Pergolas can accentuate your space or create a certain amount of shade, consider what purpose you would like your pergola to perform before deciding on the design.
CUSTOM RAILS
As much as railings are functional they are also aesthetic, we have many styles of rail to offer, We also have different material to choose from including Cedar, Pressure Treated, Aluminum, Composite material, Ipe and glass.
GAZEBOS & SCREENED-IN PORCH A screened gazebo or porch is a great way to get outside and still have some cover and relief from those pesky mosquito's, why not have your own little private spot where you can go to get away from it all.
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Who is Diamond Deck+Fence?
We are the kind of guys who not only have a passion for building decks and fences; but who want our customers to everyday enjoy their well-built and stylized structures. We have decades of experience, we work quickly and efficiently, and we're sticklers for detail.
What is our Warranty?
Unlike the standard two-year warranty, we provide a WRITTEN WARRANTY for THREE YEARS! Ahead of the industry, we back our projects 100% because you deserve it and it's both our passion and privilege to build something that will last decades.
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The WoodSource is Ottawa’s premier specialty wood store with over 60 years of experience serving the region’s wood and milling needs. Ask us about our vast array of woods, including a range of hardwoods, eastern white pine, as well as a variety of exotic woods for that special project. We also specialize in custom mouldings, and can duplicate any profile you could think of. If it’s related to wood, there’s a good chance you’ll find it at the Source...the WoodSource!
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EXPLORING WORLD FLAVOURS IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN BACKYARD By News Canada
Summer is almost here, which means backyard entertaining and patio parties with family and friends. As cross-cultural cuisine continues to gain in popularity, guests will be craving foods with more intense, diverse flavours this season. The standard fare associated with the much anticipated barbecue season can be easily enhanced by adding Caribbean, Mexican or Asian influences to your summer meals. There are many ways to perk up the flavour of simple favourites such as adding unique spices to a light pasta salad, incorporating mouth-watering marinades to meats and vegetables or utilizing fruits, nuts and dips. Asian Adventurer – Asian cuisine incorporates a diverse set of flavours, ranging from mild to very hot, and from sweet to savoury. Asian sauces often include sweet, spicy and sour flavours such as: lemongrass, plum paste, sesame oil, chilies and ginger. Asian cooking generally uses small bites of lean cuts of meat, flavourful marinades, quick cooking over high heat and dipping sauce accompaniments. Caribbean Crusader – Caribbean cooking is the essence of fusion style as the islands were first settled by the Spanish, then the Dutch, French, British and Danish. The combination of these
flavours developed the nature of the cuisine. Caribbean flavours tend to combine ingredients such as curry, allspice, lime, thyme, ginger, chilies and tropical fruits. A unique blend of spices and fruit components such as papaya, mango and guava can bring the vibrancy of an island sunset into any kitchen. Mouth-watering Mexican – Descended from the food of the Mayans, authentic Mexican takes advantage of the varied food sources in Mexico with small meals often served wrapped in a fresh tortilla. Mexican and Central American cuisine incorporates beans, corn, tomatoes, jicama, chocolate, avocado, papaya, vanilla and chilli peppers. Experimenting with presentation, spices and seasonings, and flavourful rubs and marinades can bring a world of flavours to your own backyard: • Create bite-size appetizers. Satays, small wooden skewers threaded with bite-size chunks of meat, are a popular street snack food in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand and make wonderful starters. • Use marinades to infuse flavour. Marinades are fantastic for tenderizing, enhancing flavour and preserving food. New Knorr® Spicy Caribbean Marinade with Papaya Juice or Sesame Ginger Marinade with Mandarin Orange Juice
Stone fireplaces + chimneys Walls (interior/exterior) Demolition, framing, mantels+
spice up meats, vegetables and tofu for a glorious taste experience. • Incorporate spices to traditional offerings. The chilli pepper has become the single most widely used spice in the world, except for salt. Chilli peppers vary in strength and flavour. Give your barbecue sauce or salsa a little zip by adding chilli peppers into the mixture. • Experiment with fruit. Try pairing new and unusual fresh fruits from your supermarket produce aisle such as mango, avocado, star fruit, pineapple, coconut, guava and papaya with your meals. They are full of vitamins and flavour and can be used in entrées or desserts. • Jazz up a family favourite. Dry soup mixes have many uses and have become a widely used ingredient in hundreds of recipes. To attain a delicious, savoury flavour in traditional hamburger recipes, sprinkle a package of Knorr Onion Soup Mix into the meat mixture.
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(NC) Is this your summer to beat the traffic, leave airport hassles behind and instead, plan your vacation at home by installing a backyard hot tub and spa? No wonder staycations are so popular. In today's fast-paced world, owning a spa is no longer considered a luxury. The relaxing therapeutic value may have even become a necessity to the estimated 510,000 spa owners in Canada. Many of them also say that they pay less for chemicals, water and electricity than they anticipated. By using a well-fitted, insulated, rigid safety cover, you can substantially reduce evaporation from a spa, which means reduced heating costs and less chemical usage, helping to keep costs down. If you have already purchased a spa and are deciding the best place to install it, look for an area in the backyard with a scenic view. A location with an unobstructed view of a flower garden, water feature or nearby wooded area will provide a focal point for bathers in the spa and for those gazing at the hot tub from inside the house. Make sure the location is easy to get to. The general rule of thumb is: the closer to the house the better. Ask yourself the following questions: Is the location private? Will you have to screen out the view of surrounding homes or nearby traffic? Where will bathers change? For added privacy, convenience and aesthetic appeal, wooden or fabric gazebos and cabanas can be used as change rooms. Some permanent enclosed structures are even large enough to enclose an entire spa, with room to spare for dining and food preparation areas and equipment storage. Distinctive lighting is another way to create a special mood outdoors in and around a hot tub. LED lights, both underwater and around the hot tub cabinet, can produce an array of colours in a gentle transition or in a dynamic pulsating display for entertaining. Many spas also come equipped with illuminated waterfalls or geyser-type fountains – providing your own sound and light show. More information is available online at www.poolcouncil.ca or toll-free at 1-800879-7066. 58 I ottawaoutdoors
PHOTO BY HOTSPRINGS.COM
ADD A SPA AND HOT TUB TO YOUR BACKYARD STAYCATION
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EE TE FRTIMA ES
Tips to delight your patio guests this summer (NC) In Canada, we put a lot of work into preparing our outdoor space for the warm weather months. Once your beautiful outdoor space is complete, you'll undoubtedly be eager to showcase your hard work. Make entertaining a breeze with these tips from the experts at Pier 1 Imports: HIGHLIGHT THE MAIN ATTRACTION – THE FOOD
• If you're hosting the whole family for a cookout, make memories during a sit-down meal around your outdoor dining table. Freshen up the meal with dinnerware that's as eye-catching as it is durable. Easy-care melamine and fresh-hued acrylic stemware let your guests enjoy without fear of shattering glasses or the festive mood. • A less conventional approach that's perfect for drinks and small bites – serving carts. They bring action to the party, whether that's on the patio, in the garden or poolside. CREATE A ONE-OF-A-KIND TABLESCAPE
• Combine your favourite accessories, such as handcrafted trays, detailed lanterns and a colourful bouquet, to create a cheerful centrepiece that instantly feels like summer. • Give your party buffet a personal touch with an eclectic mix of your favourite serving dishes. Think multi-use beverage tubs, cheery cake stands and bold chip and dip trays. THINK ABOUT THE LIGHT, BOTH DAY AND NIGHT
• For a daytime pool party, protect guests from sunburn and the heat by investing in colourful umbrellas to provide a little shade – and the perfect place to sip a cold drink. • When the sun sets, opt for a more romantic glow that lights up the night. Strategically placed lanterns in a variety of styles, shapes and colours will be the light of your party. • For mood lighting at the touch of a button outdoor LED candles resemble their melted wax counterparts but offer a bit of added magic. They're compatible with a remote control that allows you to set a timer with automatic shut-off.
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OUR SERVICES Interlock & Repair Retaining Walls Natural Stone Planting/Riverwash/Mulch Maintenance Flower Beds Poolscapes www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE! ottawaoutdoors I 59
IT’S NOT (JUST) ABOUT THE BIKE My journey to a triathlon life By Kevin Willis
M
y high school classmates doodled pictures of electric guitars, or rockets, or scrawled the names of soccer teams in the margins of their textbooks. But I drew a thing of beauty and the object of my desire – the Campagnolo Rally long-cage rear derailleur. The money I earned as a teenager from delivering newspapers on my hand-me-down bike didn’t stretch to Campy components, so I wanted them all the more. n + 1, where n is the number you already have. Keep in mind that a carbon fiber tri bike is not just another bike. Though it’s irresistible to a gearaholic, it’s of little use for anything other than triathlons. And that was the problem. How could I justify the horrendous cost of buying one given that I could barely swim and hated running? But … The year before I had joined a local spinning group to prepare for the Vätternrundan, a 24-hour, 300-kilometre recreational bike ride in Sweden. The instructor, Julia Aimers
Yes, for as long as I can remember I’ve been a gearaholic. So the effect of seeing a carbon fiber triathlon "Ultraman Canada is in August in British bike Columbia's Okanagan desert, as hot as really Kona, with serious hills, dirt roads, and a jolted double marathon length" me. It was early in 2007 on a business of Team Triumph, was also a trip to San Francisco in a store swimming and triathlon coach. selling triathlon gear. By then, So after returning from San at age 46, I had a garage full of Francisco, with Julia’s help and bikes – commuter, mountain, driven by tri bike desire, I started road, even a tandem. And as swimming. any serious cyclist knows, the My first triathlon was in number of bikes that you need is Perth and it was great race for
newcomers – a 500-metre pool swim, 16-kilometre bike ride, and three-kilometre run followed by a potluck lunch. Now while the number of bikes you need is n + 1, the size of your collection is severely limited by “Factor S”: the spouse. It seemed incomprehensible to me, but I was told most definitively that I did not need a carbon tri bike for Perth. Following prolonged negotiations, the compromise was an aero-framed aluminum road bike along with two seats and posts so that my wife and I could swap saddles and share it. My tight-fitting tri top for the ride and run legs was a rookie mistake, as I wasted a good five minutes in transition struggling to get the top on my wet torso! I took a break to cycle across Canada in 2008, but over the next few years I accumulated experience and new gear in the Somersault series and other local triathlons, building from sprints through Olympics to halfirons. I pimped out the bike with aero bars and aero race wheels. It was starting to resemble a tri bike, but to justify a pro-level carbon bike, I knew I would need to step up to Ironman.
OTTAWA'S KEVIN WILLIS 2014 ULTRAMAN CANADA CHAMPION 60 I ottawaoutdoors
www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
Over the winter of 2010, with My bike held up in the big the help of the Full Cycle bike leagues and to my surprise I shop, I built my custom carbon qualified for the 2012 Ironman dream bike, obsessing over every World Championships in Hawaii. component – titanium bolts, Even the spouse agreed my Teflon-coated cables to reduce dream bike was justified now – I friction – every was going to be performance racing against "Everywhere advantage was Lance in Kona! considered and you look there is Regrettably Mr. incorporated. hardcore bike porn." Armstrong had I had a great to withdraw (the season in title of this article 2011 culminating in a win parodies the title of his book), but at Somersault’s iron-distance that was the only disappointment “Canadian” race. So I signed at Kona. up for the 2012 Lake Placid Kona is all about the gear. and inaugural Mont Tremblant Everyone looks super fit and Ironman events. wears the latest running shoes www.ottawaoutdoors.ca
and sports shades. Everywhere you look there is hardcore bike porn. The air rings with the zzzzz sound of Zipp hubs. The major brands are omnipresent, showing off pre-release products and giving away swag. A gearaholic’s dream come true! I spent 2013 recovering from gear overdose and planning the future: I was accepted into the 2014 Ultraman Canada event, a three-day stage race consisting of a 10-kilometre swim and 145-kilometre bike, then a 276-kilometre bike, and on the final day an 84-kilometre run. That last stage that had me worried. I knew how much fun it was to run a marathon in the baking heat of Hawaii’s lava fields. Ultraman Canada is in August in British Columbia’s Okanagan desert, as hot as Kona, with serious hills, dirt roads, and a double marathon length – twice as far as I had ever run. Facing around 2,000 kilometres of run training, with an undying disliked of running, the only way to cope was gear therapy: ultra-specific running shoes, a hydration pack to carry water and fuel for those five-hour-plus training runs, and the best thing in GPS watches to log the suffering and to find my way home. When the race happened, the new gear and the training to strengthen my weakest link paid off. My goal was just to finish, so my age group world record was unexpected to say the least. This was not just about the bike or gear – it would not have been possible without the excellent support from my crew.
Now I know I need a power meter for the 2015 season, and frame design has advanced so much that I definitely need a new bike. But Factor S always has the last word: “What you need are sponsors!”
WHAT IS THE ULTRAMAN? IT'S A THREE-DAY STAGE RACE CONSISTING OF: 10KM SWIM 145KM BIKE 276KM BIKE 84KM RUN
ottawaoutdoors I 61
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Come indoors for a night of golf!
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Our adventure playground has 2.4 million hectares of breathtaking wilderness combined with small town charm and authentic Ottawa Valley hospitality. Immerse yourself in our unique blend of heritage and outdoor recreation where the possibilities for play are endless. Look for your copy of the 2015 Ottawa Valley road map in the spring issue of Ottawa Outdoors and start planning your next adventure today! OttawaValley.travel
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