OK, I’m going to go a little off script on this post. With all the great snow we’ve been having I decided to go cross country skiing in the Arboretum yesterday, and what better way to get there than by bike? Here’s how.
The biggest challenge of course is how to transport skis and poles while riding. I stuffed mine into a ski bag and strapped them to the side of my big backpack like so. It worked well, but I’m going to try to attach them a little lower next time.
I biked down Booth Street which is normally quite busy especially during the week as it proceeds north to Gatineau over the Chaudière Bridge, but it isn’t so bad early Saturday morning. There are a great mix of buildings along Booth. This facade just south of Somerset, with all of it’s various doors and openings, some bricked up, others introduced as required over time, suggests many narratives that must have played out within it’s walls.
This small brick house a bit further south has survived the test of time nicely.
This interesting building is a recent addition to the street.
St Anthony’s maintains a commanding presence at the corner of Gladstone because of its size and orientation to Gladstone facing down the hill towards Little Italy on Preston Street.
On the other side of the Queensway are a number of research facilities built for the Ministry of Natural Resources of Canada. This one built in the late ’30’s is a designated FHBRO Heritage building. I love the design and layout of the cast letters above the doorway.
This one on the opposite side of Booth was built in the mid ’50’s and also has FHBRO heritage designation.
I biked to the parking at the top of Prince of Wales Drive, as the bike lane on the shoulder was partially cleared and the traffic was light. You can also bike up the path hi-lited in purple beside Prince of Wales which is plowed, as I discovered on the way home. I found the snow covered bike rack and locked up my trusty steed. Time to ski!
The Arboretum is a very popular spot for dog walking, resulting in many well worn paths such as these that can accommodate any width of skis and bindings.
I also skid through Fletcher Wildlife Garden which I first discovered back in October and wrote about in this post. I even took this photo from the same spot – sheer coincidence, believe it or not.
Along with the network of dog walker paths throughout the Arboretum, there are usually a number of trails broken by other skiers or snowshoers, pretty much guaranteeing a fine ski outing.
OttawaVeloOutaouais 
Wow, cold ride.
It was indeed a cool morning (-15C), but the colder it is the more packed the snow becomes, making it easier to ride through. A good thing after a fresh snowfall, at least until the streets are all cleared. Wear layers, stay dry and everything is cool, I mean warm!
Cool (literally) that you tried and succeeded to do that. We were at the cottage for a few days and the ski trails were as beautiful as I’ve ever seen them. I’ll have to try it in the city sometime soon.
It has opened up a whole network of trails I would have never considered, all just minutes away. The Ottawa River Pathway is great (see my last post) and this ride&ski behind the Parliament Buildings by another intrepid adventurer. http://modalmom.com/biking-to-ski-the-ottawa-river-pathway/
Let me know if you want to head out on the trails.