I biked to Yarn Forward in the Glebe late in the afternoon to buy some sewing supplies. Here’s how I managed to get there and back, avoiding traffic as much as possible along the way.
I set out following the north-south bike path along Percy Street. Once on the other side of the Queensway I turned east on Glendale Avenue. This led me to the edge of Ottawa’s very own Central Park. The path through the park isn’t cleared, as you can see in the image below, but it’s extremely well travelled, so I’m guessing it will be navigate-able throughout the winter. Yes, that’s ice all over the path. My studded front tire was an absolute necessity through this section.
Most of the houses in the Glebe were constructed in the early part of the 1900’s. It was one of Ottawa’s first suburbs. The sturdy dwellings which have survived the test of time have adapted over many generations of residents and taken on their own personal character, like this house along Roseberry Avenue with its interesting porch detailing.
Yarn Forward on Bank Street is a great mid-sized store for all kinds of sewing and knitting supplies.
I decided to take a more circuitous route home that took me along the Rideau Canal and the Laurier Avenue bike lane.
Here are a few other examples of early Glebe dwellings along Strathcona Avenue decked out in Christmas lights, all set for the festive season.
The path along the west side of the canal is cleared making it a great ride all year round, with the Pretoria Bridge and Laurier Bridge to be admired along the way.
OttawaVeloOutaouais 
how did you take the photo of Pretoria Bridge? Were you on the canal?
The path dips to the right just north of the bridge, I have seen bicyclists on the canal once it is frozen over, off to the side. Maybe I’ll give it a try, if it’s officially allowed.