ottawavelo

Brewer Park, The Rideau River Nature Trail, Innes Road, and the Ottawa River Pathway

A long ride yesterday, first to Brewer Park Arena where my son had a morning game. The route I followed to get there goes around Dow’s Lake, through the Arboretum, over the canal at the locks across from Carleton University, and through the campus, without having to travel along absolutely awful Bronson.

At Dow’s Lake stands this giant fellow with two hats raised in greeting. This is the Netherlands Canada Liberation Monument. His twin is standing in Apeldoom, Holland, hats raised as well. They do so in commemoration of the sacrifices made by Canadian soldiers in the liberation of the Netherlands in WWII.

After the game (win!) I headed off to the Home Depot on Cyrville Road in search of the perfect plywood, as described in my previous post. I biked over to the Rideau River and rolled along the path that hugs its north shore.

The path morphs into the wonderful Rideau River Nature Trail just beyond Smyth Road. Most of the trail is dirt path, with interpretive panels interspersed along the way.

Rideau River Trail — Rideau River Nature Trail

The trail goes as far as the Transitway bridge which includes a bike path across the river.

To get to the other side of the 417 I would recommend the route I’ve hi-lited in red, versus the one I continued along in blue, and here’s why.

This is the shared pathway along Innes starting at St Laurent Boulevard.

At Windmill Lane, just before crossing over the 417, the bike path turns into this….

Just beyond the 417 East off-ramp, the bridge over the highway looks like this….

In desperation pedestrians and bicyclists alike must have forged the precarious dirt path hugging the guard rail to avoid being hit by speeding traffic flying along Innes. This madness continues until just beyond the 417 West off-ramp, where the bike lane picks up again.

The route I recommend, hi-lited in red, takes you to the Cyrville Road bridge over the 417. No bike lane, but the traffic is slightly calmer and there are no off-ramps to contend with. That said, getting across the 417 by bike in this area is dangerous no matter how you slice it.

After finding what I was after at Home Depot I continued east along the Innes bike lane, and happened upon the Detention Centre that has recently been in the news. Guards and staff have been accused of not properly attending to a woman in custody while she was giving birth, as described in this article.

I eventually headed north along the Greenbelt Pathway, re-visiting fields that just a short while ago were abloom with wild flowers. “Come back… come back again next year….”, whispered the wind as it blew through the tall dry grass. No wait. Sorry, it just went, “swoosh… swoosh… swoosh….”. Very beautiful none-the-less.

Blowing grass — Wind blowing through the tall dry grass

The Greenbelt Pathway ends at the Ottawa River Pathway which I followed all the way to Rockcliffe.

There’s been construction along the Rockliffe Parkway for quite some time but now they’ve introduced temporary bike lanes through the construction zone which I took advantage of. UPDATE– April 2015: The new bike lane along the Parkway has been finished for awhile and it is very nice,

Temporary bike path along Rockliffe Parkway

Hello November.

Another Big Hardware Store in Gatineau – The Saga Continues

I needed to find a particular shade of 1/4″ plywood for the latest theatre set I’ve designed. I found out there’s another big hardware store on the Quebec side that is accessible by bike path. It’s a Rona on Boulevard du Plateau, so I went and had a look. The blue line on the map is how I got there. The red line is how I got to Réno-Depot from Rona after not finding what I wanted, and then home.

The design of the bike path I followed along Boulevard des Allumettières was influenced by popular struggles to minimize the negative impact this major traffic artery would have on the social fabric of the area. This interpretive panel located in front of one of the three traffic calming round-abouts describes in part these struggles.

InterpPanel — Interpretive panel along Boulevard des Allumettières

For example one of the things they managed to set in place was no transport trucks allowed.

Boulevard des Allumettières is only five years old. It’s name is in reference to les Allumettières, female employees of EB Eddy, whose dangerous job it was to prepare and package wooden matches, a major local industry at the time. Their story is explained in this article.

It’s great that organized activism resulting in benefits to the community are acknowledged as part of the history of the area, as is the case with the above interpretive panel.

Backing up a bit, here is the path along Boulevard des Allumettèries just up from the Ruisseau de la Brasserie Pathway.

These are some of the sound dampening walls separating the traffic from the bike lanes and houses.

I had trouble figuring out how the path continued beyond the Promenade du Lac des Fées off-ramp, until this bicyclist, who had just passed me, suddenly appeared on the other side. I realised then that I was to follow a pair of switch backs that circled under the off-ramp. I guess the message spray painted on the concrete barrier is meant to discourage pedestrians tempted to hop over and avoid walking the longish switch backs.

After riding through part of Gatineau Park I arrived in the area in which the Rona is located. All very new development. Here’s what a section of Boulevard des Grives looks like. Note the designated bike lanes. Well done Ville de Gatineau.

So, I didn’t find what I was looking for at Rona. Glad I checked it out. Now it was time to head to Réno-Dépot.
Retracing my treads, I rolled back onto the Ruisseau des Brasseries Pathway and headed North. If you come upon this incredible graffiti painted on an errant boulder, and you are still planning on going to Réno-Dépot, you’ve gone too far. You should have turned left over a small bridge a hundred yards back. I’ve made this mistake a few times.

BUT continue on a bit further before turning around and you will come to this underpass, one of the more worked over graffiti sites I’ve happened upon on the Quebec side.

Got to Réno-Dépot. No luck. I’ll have to visit the orange bib brigade this side of the river and see if they have what I’m after.

By the time I headed home the sun had sufficiently set for the lights on the Rue Montcalm bridge to start twinkling.

Big Hardware Stores in Gatineau – The Unofficial Tour

Big hardware stores are where you buy construction stuff – lumber, mouldings, fence, etc, along with other hardware materials. Biking to those in Ottawa from downtown can be pretty daunting, but Réno-Dépôt in Gatineau is accessible via bike paths pretty much all the way. Yesterday I had to return some prop items to both Réno-Depot and Pilon hardware stores in Gatineau. They happen to be close together, so I made sure my ride took me past both stores.

The red line on the map below shows the best route to get to Réno-Dépôt. The blue line is where I diverged from this recommended route to get to Pilon, then Réno-Dépôt and beyond.

These huge steam pipes hug the wall where the bike path passes under the Portage Bridge on the Quebec side. Not too long ago they used to hiss and pop.

On one side of the path, just before it slips under Boulevard des Alummettières, sit these elegant, simple and effective demarcation posts.

Pilon is retro 60’s, from the design of the building, to it’s big old roof sign, to all the clean cut friendly salesmen sporting crisp shirts and ties. No orange bibs here, thank you very much.

Pretty soon there will be a bike path all along Boulevard de la Carrière, which you can take from Pilon to Réno, but right now they are in the middle of road repairs. Lousy to bike through. The changes to the road will result in separate lanes for cars, buses, trains and bikes. Here’s how it will appear, as seen in this section completed closer to Réno.

To get to the streets I wanted to cover further north I had to cross under highway 5 at Boulevard St Joseph. Avoid this intersection at all cost. If there exists a list of ‘worst intersections for bikes in Gatineau’ I am sure this one is on it. Cars fly down St Joseph while others zip on and off the highway ramps with barely a glance. An absolute mess.

The streets I visited just south of Boulevard Mont Bleu are filled with a great mix of housing styles from the fifties and sixties. One intriguing period style I’ve come across throughout the region has big black rocks set into the facade like so.

Great looking windows extending up to the roofline and tall recessed entrance on the one below.

Confident house — Mid-century modern, Gatineau style

Although it’s been extensively altered away from it’s 50’s origins, I love the mish mash of growth all around this one. The little boat up top suggests an image of the whole house being submerged with seaweed growing up and around it.

I then followed designated bike lanes from Boulevard Riel all the way to the Ruisseau-de-la-brasserie Pathway.

A final look at big steam pipes on the way back seen from under the Portage Bridge.

The Lonely Oak

In the middle of the Experimental Farm, just west of Fisher Avenue, sits a big gorgeous solitary oak. Today I biked over to pay it a visit.

I biked past the Experimental Farm greenhouses along the way. This old one is looking great.

To get up close to the oak tree, you need to ride along the inside of the fence that runs along Fisher avenue, then turn west along an old gravel road that brings you to the tree.

The isolated oak sits in stark contrast to the harvested fields.

And if you love Canada geese, this is one place you are likely to find them. There were hundreds in the surrounding fields. Their continuous honking echoed across the open ground, providing an eerie soundscape while contemplating the oaks heavy gnarled surfaces and complex network of leafless branches.

I continued along the gravel path through the farm heading west until I came to Merivale Road, and then followed the Experimental Farm Pathway to Nepean to cover some residential streets through Centrepointe I had yet to visit. Based on the styles of all the brown brick houses and the height of trees I’d guess the area I biked through was developed in the 80’s and early 90’s.

On the way back I happened upon the old Nepean City Hall and Centrepointe Theatre. The theatre is still going strong. There was a tone of green strongly adhered to throughout all of the old city’s corporate identity that I’ve come to know as Nepean Green. It is still in evidence on the exterior of the building, as is the old city logo above the entrances.

Across the street at the entrance to Centrepointe Park sits this memorial to the late city. The stepped landscape gradually builds centripetally upward towards the fountain. In the middle is mounted a bronze slab, the outline of which describes the boundaries of the old city. On one of the concrete pillars behind the fountain are mounted the dates of the city’s existence (1792-2000) in raised letters set against possibly one of the last applications of Nepean Green.

I then hopped onto the network of NCC pathways which led me along our mighty river towards home.

Théâtre de l’Île

Gatineau’s Théâtre de l’Île and the island on which it sits, just off the Ruisseau de la brasserie Pathway, are local treasures.

Yesterday morning I biked over to take care of a few details on a set I designed for a play called ‘Sous-sol à louer’ that opens on the 31st. This old stone bridge leads you onto the island.

bridge2 — View of stone bridge from the island

The 120 seat theatre is located in the Hull Water Works. Originally built in 1886, it was converted to its present use as a theatre in 1976.

The secluded grounds that extend behind the theatre are quite zen, especially in the spring with the sound of water gurgling by on either side.

This sculpture by Victor Tolgesy is located at the far end of the grounds.

This piece titled Sortie côté jardin was sculpted by Denis Charrette from a maple growing on the site. The tree was in bad shape and had to be cut down. The title of the piece is a play on words, côté jardin being the equivalent of the theatrical term ‘stage right’. The sculptor was inspired by a play written by Hedwige Herbiet, called La légende du Théâtre de l’Île.

It’s a great destination for a short ride, or a fine place to pause on a longer journey.

Return to Pleasant Park Woods via the Poets’ Pathway

Yesterday my son had an afternoon hockey game in the Urbandale neighbourhood so I biked there. A section of the Poets’ Pathway passes through nearby Pleasant Park Woods, which I’ve been wanting to re-visit, so I followed their suggested route on the way home. Here’s how the journey panned out.

To get to this part of town I usually ride along the canal, cross over at Hogs Back Falls, bike back down along the Rideau River Eastern Pathway, then cut east along Pleasant Park Road. This I did in reverse on the way home, but today I was running late so I chose a more direct route down Bank Street to get there. Bank Street Bridge over the Rideau River is treacherous on a regular day. Presently it is under construction, making it even more dangerous for bicyclists. Won’t do that again. It’s a spot to avoid.

HockeySuperstar — Made it to the rink on time – that’s my superstar!

Many houses in Urbandale have this interesting pattern of protruding bricks on their front facades.

This raised paved shoulder straddles Heron Road, which I rode along to get to the start of the Poets’ Pathway. These exist along other busy roads throughout the city as well. Not sure what their intended purpose is. Carla thinks they pave them because nothing worthwhile can grow so close to the side of these busy roads due to the salt and dirt plowed there in the winter. I consider them bike path wannabe’s.

The Poets’ Pathway (Walk 8) is along a network of intersecting unmarked trails, which isn’t too confusing since the strip of parkland it follows is relatively narrow, as long as you generally keep heading in the right direction. A compass or gps might be useful.

Most of the trail looks like this….

… until you reach the woods.

It started to rain as I made my way back along Pleasant Park Road, so I pulled out my super water proof gloves purchased at Preston Hardware just the other day for 50¢! I kid you not – 50¢! OK, they lack bling, but they work like a charm. There’s even room for little wooly gloves when it gets colder.

Here’s what you’ll be up against if you choose to bike back over the Bank Street Bridge.

Here’s a view of the Rideau you’ll be treated to if you choose to continue along the Rideau River Pathway.

Now that they’ve drained most of the canal, Dow’s Lake is teeming with ducks and Canadian Geese. I’m guessing they are taking advantage of the freshly exposed seaweed. Mmmm, yummy!

Carlingwood Mall via Crestview

Last Wednesday night I attended the Citizens For Safe Cycling AGM where Olivia Chow made a strong argument for truck sideguards. The keynote speaker Ralph Bueler presented loads of great facts and observations towards enhancing the presence of bicycling in urban communities. For example I learnt that the more bicyclists there are out there the safer it is for all of us. Strength in numbers. So here’s hoping that this blog encourages folks to travel and commute via pedal power, like those living in the neighbourhood of Crestview!

There were some streets in Crestview that I had yet to visit, so that’s where I headed Wednesday morning. The red line shows the route I followed to get there. The blue line is how I got home.

On the way there I biked through the Arboretum and along the canal which is in the process of being drained for the winter.

Hogs locks — Looking down the canal from the locks at Hogs Back

Here is a very accomplished mural located in General Burns Park I discovered en route.
UPDATE: Fall 2015 – Sadly the mural is no more. It’s been scraped down to a bare cinder block wall.

Crestview is a residential community with big old power lines cutting through north to south.

Consisting of mostly single detached dwellings, some of the houses date back to the mid 40’s. This one caught my eye. Even with recent vinyl siding, it has managed to maintain it’s mid-century modern look.

On the way back I stopped off at Value Village on the corner of Clyde and Baseline to find props for a play. The very kind woman at the cashier told me exactly where to find the one prop that was eluding me. “Carlingwood Mall! Just head down Clyde Avenue, which becomes Maitland, then turn up Carling and you’re there!”…… After thanking her I headed out to my bike and consulted my trusty map. Bicyclists unfortunately have to avoid Maitland and Carling if they can as they are filled with aggressive speeding cars. My map shows Clyde Avenue chopped in two just north of where I was. My instincts told me there must be a link accessible by bike that joins the two sections, so I decided to try my luck.

Clyde ends where it meets the Experimental Farm Pathway, however there is this little dirt trail that continues north, veering off to the right.

Making my way carefully along this muddy path I happened upon… an old ski tow?

The path opened onto a hill which must indeed have been a ski hill in the not too distant past.

I made my way down and joined the northern section of Clyde Avenue. Looking south at this vertical cliff, I came to understand why Clyde was chopped in two.

Wove my way through residential streets north of Carling to the Carlingwood Mall, found what I needed, and pedalled home along our majestic Ottawa River.

To market, to market, Ottawa side. Home again, home again, Gatineau ride!

Perfect Fall afternoon for a leisurely ride, so Carla and I set off for the Byward Market with panniers ready to be filled.

canal — Great view of the Rideau Canal locks looking up from the Ottawa River

Behind the National Gallery sits this wonderfully playful sculpture called Majestic, yet it’s playfulness shields gloomier origins. All of the lamp posts that have been combined to create this piece originally illuminated various streets of New Orleans but were blown over by Hurricane Katrina.

After locking our bikes in the market, we shopped! Our goal was to buy sausages at Nicastro’s, but we also wound up getting yummy brussel sprouts, beets, and pie pumpkins from some of the various market stalls, such as the one in the photo below. Carla designed the Byward Market graphic identity and it’s various environmental graphics applications as seen on the lamp post and the seasonal banners up above, as well as all the street signs throughout the market area.

If you require visiting the facilities while meandering through the Market Mall, you will need to go upstairs, which will afford you great views of this wonderful sculpture by Victor Tolgesy.

We biked across the Alexandra Bridge and headed home along the Gatineau Side. Check out theses amazingly red leaved bushes along the edge of the Museum of Civilization.

Carla was very smart to have packed a thermos of tea, which we paused to share at this spot along the river.

I love this sculpture by Phyllis Kurtz Fine that sits on the edge of the path before arriving at the Portage Bridge. It stands proud but isn’t overpowering. It’s smooth curve and elongated slits with rounded ends soften the rawness of the rusting steel it is made of. A play of contrasts.

steel — Commentary, by Phyllis Kurtz Fine

UPDATE: April 2014 – Because this route requires riding along the section of Murray Street between Mackenzie and Parent which can get pretty frantic with traffic rushing over the Alexandra Bridge, I often prefer riding up through Major’s Hill Park and locking my bike to the fence at the top of the stairs that lead down to the market, as described in this post.

Ghost Bike Commemorating David Tyler Brown

I’ve been wanting to visit the ghost bike at the intersection of Innes and Bantree. That’s where David Tyler Brown died in a senseless accident in early September. I wanted to pay my respects, and try to shed a little light on how such a tragic accident could occur at this location. Yesterday I needed to go to the Home Depot in that neighbourhood, so I chose a route that brought me past his ghost bike.

I left from La Nouvèlle Scène on King Edward Avenue where a set I designed for the play Albertine en cinq temps was being installed.

At the corner of Innes and St Laurent I entered No Mans Land. I encountered only one other person not encased in a four-or-more wheeled vehicle – a guy walking along Innes who definitely looked like he wished he were somewhere else. Here’s what the intersection of Innes and Bantree looks like.

And here is the bike.

There is a very well written article here, which describes the bike and surrounding commemorative elements which touch upon the life of David Tyler Brown.

I chose a Sunday to ride out this way to avoid the trucks that own this landscape. Here is a panorama taken further down Bantree.

Unfortunately my iPhone ran out of juice after taking these images.

I’m a pretty confident biker, but riding through this area was scary, even on a Sunday. The lack of drainage along Sheffield Road created huge puddles that forced me to ride in the middle of the road. I hit a rut while turning my head to check for oncoming traffic at the top of Sheffield Road, which caused me to fall off my bike. I’m OK, just broke my rear light and bell. Stupid of me, really. Being so anxious about the road conditions contributed to my error. Effort is required to make this area safer for bicyclists, such as those who wish to commute by bike.

Needless to say, I was very relieved to get to the end of Walkley Road where I followed a gravel trail.

The route I would recommend taking to get to this area is the one I followed on the way back, hi-lited in green on the above map. Anderson Road and Innes Road on the East side of the 417 have bicycle lanes. Cyrville Road isn’t great, but it’s the safest way to get to the other side of the 417.

Regina Lane Mural

Some local communities are having success in addressing crime and safety issues through the creation of public art murals initiated by the Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre. One impressive work located down Regina Lane was unveiled in late September. House of PainT Festival of Urban Arts and Culture was involved. Yesterday morning I biked over and checked it out. Lots to take in. While in the area I also took the opportunity to cover a few yet-to-be-explored streets on the south side of Carling.

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Images of the mural in its early stages of creation can be found on this site.

And here is the completed work. I wound up having to shoot a bunch of pictures and splicing them together to create one cohesive image. Click on it a couple of times to zoom in and get a good view of the entire piece. I highly recommend heading over and taking a look.

On the way back I noticed that the channel of water just before the Mill restaurant has been emptied. At the bottom there is a smaller channel carved out of the rock, partially covered by old timbers which look like they’ve been there for a long time.

I believe this channel acts as a reservoir for No.2 Generating Station, which houses some of the oldest operating hydro-electric equipment in Canada.

I visited the station a couple of years ago during the annual Doors Open weekend in June and remember the phenomenal power of the water rushing through by the rotational velocity of the huge turbines and the very loud humming noise they create. This clip gives you an idea of what it looks like inside.