Ride to Ottawa tips?

[Chaos]

Hi all,

I'm planning on riding to Ottawa and back over 2 days (1 night). I know the fastest way is 401, but I also know it's pretty boring.

So far, the next best route that I can find is highway 7. Has anyone taken it?

[matthew]

how much of a detour are you willing to take?

[Skurj]

There is better than Hwy 7, you can be in Ottawa by breakfast even staying off the 401, so you have lots of time to take the long way.

Here's a suggestion

I would have included Elephant Lake but I'm not sure if its been paved yet...

Oh and that route won't take 7 hours...

[gAbRoO]

nice route, might have to do that one day!!!

There is better than Hwy 7, you can be in Ottawa by breakfast even staying off the 401, so you have lots of time to take the long way.

Here's a suggestion

I would have included Elephant Lake but I'm not sure if its been paved yet...

Oh and that route won't take 7 hours...

[boooya]

There is better than Hwy 7, you can be in Ottawa by breakfast even staying off the 401, so you have lots of time to take the long way.

Here's a suggestion

I would have included Elephant Lake but I'm not sure if its been paved yet...

Oh and that route won't take 7 hours...

Good route, however cross over into Quebec at Portage-Du-Forge, then take the 148south then Rue Chemin De La Montagne. Its a great Twistie road the follows Parc Gatineau, it will take you right into Gatineau/Ottawa.

[Chaos]

Hi all,

Sorry for the delay. I really like that route. I think I'll make that the way there, and maybe take 7 on the way home.

I think I might even try that Portage-du-Fort detour.

Thanks for the tips!

ere's the map: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&sourc...8,6.696167&z=8

[bishop]

Here is my route to Ottawa. Doing on the August long weekend most probably.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...836f226248&z=8

[85K100]

So far, the next best route that I can find is highway 7. Has anyone taken it?

I did that last week. Went there Mon.; came home Tuesday. Hwy 7 all the way. No problem. Sometimes you'll get stuck behind a slowpoke for a bit, but traffic seems to go about 100 out E. of Marmora.
E. of Marmora there's not much there so fuel up. Fuel's cheaper in Havelock so fill up there. Be empty when you get to Ottawa 'cause last week it was about 10 cents cheaper than Toronto. Pavement's good.
Construction at the E. end of Peterborough makes for a major slowdown. On the way there I went through Peterborough on the N. side. On the way back I went through on 7 bypass to the S.
You have to wait for the construction that way. If you go N. you can scoot around it.
They were paving so maybe they're done by now.
Have fun!

[Chaos]

Ok, I created a map in Garmin MapSource from Toronto to Ottawa (linked above) with a few small changes.

If you'd like the file in gdb (Garmin Specific) or gpx (generic) format, let me know and I will send it.

[shanekingsley]

^^Looks like a good route. You'll have a much better time with that than Hwy 7 or the 401.

On your way back, you may also like to try the 511 up to Calabogie. Heading that route and then west from there is a really nice run.

If you haven't seen The BIG MAP - it might give you some ideas for your next trip too.

Ride safe

[Chaos]

^^Looks like a good route. You'll have a much better time with that than Hwy 7 or the 401.

On your way back, you may also like to try the 511 up to Calabogie. Heading that route and then west from there is a really nice run.

If you haven't seen The BIG MAP - it might give you some ideas for your next trip too.

Ride safe

Yeah, I'm going to be in the Algonquin area at the end of the August, so I'm going to try to get to as many of the routes as possible on the big map.

[Skurj]

The loop through Ompah is good too

[V-Tom]

Alsmost all the roads up there are a blast to ride, but my favourite is the Centennial Lake Rd/Calabogie road run.

This part: http://tinyurl.com/n9vjor

..Tom

[BradPitt]

the Ompah stomp is fun!

7 is a nice route, just be warned, HeAvY OPP presence! seems like every km there is one pulling someone over for speeding... be warned...

[middens]

Good route, however cross over into Quebec at Portage-Du-Forge, then take the 148south then Rue Chemin De La Montagne. Its a great Twistie road the follows Parc Gatineau, it will take you right into Gatineau/Ottawa.

Just be advised of the drivers you will encounter as you approach Ottawa, and especially on the Gatineau side

[toronto2alaska]

does anyone know if hwy 7 route is all paved to ottawa?

[boooya]

Just be advised of the drivers you will encounter as you approach Ottawa, and especially on the Gatineau side

I had no issues.

[matthew]

does anyone know if hwy 7 route is all paved to ottawa?

yes it is

[Chaos]

Well, I'm off to do this trip tomorrow. Tank and Tail bags are bought and ready to go. GPS and mapbook is ready to go. Visa is ready to go! Will report back on Monday.

[boooya]

Ride safe and have fun.