Ottawa Seek and Find

 Was in Ottawa a week and a half ago for a few days. While there was looking for a place to ride near the place I was staying at. I keeping hearing there is nothing in Ottawa to ride but like anything I am always resourceful.

After checking Google Earth Satellite view found a hydro line with a area beside that looked promising.

Work road access

And turns out found something off to the side heading into the trees...Singletrack.

Eureka

While it wasn't a technical singletrack oasis it still gave an hour of riding. This little trail find even gave a nice setting sun moment.

A doe in a field near some barely maintained trail. A unexpected thing to see on some unknown to me trail area.

Fun

Nothing like finding some new unexpected singletrack of any kind to add to the trail knowledge.

Kemptville Revisited 2016

A year ago was in Kemptville and did a 2 hour Monstercros ride around on the less busy roads. not having much knowledge of the area didn't know there was singletrack which i found out at the ride end.

Kemptville Exploration

Unfortunately had no time in 2015 as well as the wrong bike to wander through the trails. And I filed away this new info for the next visit to Kemptville which fortunately happened this year. And for this I used the Mistress V2.

Ferguson Forest Centre

It had been over a year since I had been in Kemptville and couldn't recall exactly where the entrance was. So followed the gravel road through the forest centre.  Unfortunately the road I followed out to near the Rideau River called Honour Way dead ended at someones drive way.

So had to back track to a section of what turned out to be a snowmobile trail and took me into a different section of the woods. Which finally lead to some singletrack which I knew was there having spotted it at the side of County Road 44 last year.

So after the short snowmobile bit it was into the woods for singletrack minimal maintenance trail.  fun. No it will never be like Albion or MTB Kingston trails as simply there aren't enough riders.So if you are one who wants trails that are golf course level manicured this is not the place for you.

And while it isn't hours of riding. It is a nice spot to go for a spin and take a break from dealing with the 416 highway.  Looking at this map,

Marlborough Forest

Shows that one could do a Gravel Grind ride starting from Kemptville itself going up County Road 44 till it crosses the Rideau. Potential future ride maybe.

Camp Fortune 2016

It was two years ago since I last had the chance to ride Camp Fortune. This yeargot to do so again but unfortunately only had a limited time one evening to ride it. With limited time was only able to get a couple of pics as was trying to get in as much riding as possible.

I think not

 Unfortunately my goal of getting to the top for a setting sun peak shot didn't happen as made a mistake at the CBC tower and followed trail #22 and turned back later than I should have.

Having ridden recently in BC it was interesting to note the difference that a skills refreshed on Upper Oilcan and Espresso makes. Though it was noticeable how with less time to go back during the week like my first time effects one's comfort level.

By Dusk's Fading Light

Racing down the last light added a wee bit more excitement than planned by deciding to try and T Bone a Deer. Despite the short ride time was still fun to hit it again. And adds to the desire to have a bike like the stolen Stylus for rides like this with a bit more gravity.

Bruce Pit Exploration

Few years ago rode some trails north of Hunt Club Road along the west side of highway 416. And has been a few years since had the oppurtunity to ride here again.

The section I rode previously is called the Stony Swamp Conservation Area trails which back then I had no idea there name or what maps where available.

Stony Swamp Conservation Area Trails

When I rode those trails noticed an area across highway 416. But never had a further look as I ran out of time. Revisited it today.

Bruce Pit Trails

It is not Route 66 or BC XC level of technical. But when ridden at speed you can miss stuff like the turns or in some spots play smash your hands off trees. But let's face reality one could complain but it is still better than pea gravel poodle path. Another nice thing I noticed that there was a alot of sand here so it will drain well.

One thing of note at Bruce Pit is the huge fenced off dog walking area. Very very nice to fence them off from the rest of us.

Did find a map of the system and discovered that this is part of the Ottawa Western Greenbelt section. And one can have a longer ride when you add in Stony Swamp and not shown on the map Lime Kiln trails.

In general a good quick rip.

Rouge to Seaton To Rouge

July 7th was a hot and humid day...perfect day to torture one self by riding for 4-5 hours in it. The last time I did at least the out and back part was 10 and a half months ago.

Rouge to Seaton

The first requirement of this ride was the climb of Ben Trash, the highest point on Scarborough. I say requirement as for me at least every ride in the Rouge has a mandatory without exception go to the top of Ben Trash. Plus most rides it\s a nice beer with a view spot. But not today as lots of work to do.

I Go Thatta Away

After descending Ben Trash it was off to eating salad taking the CP connector to the Seaton. Which of course can't be complete without a side of European Fire Ants...Bloody bastards.

Salad

After crossing the rail bridge headed north aiming for Taunton  Rd .

This Is Why

While I had at the start considered trying to go further north of Taunton the heat and humidity factors. Well, it would have taken more planning than I had been able to do. As not having access to a refuelling point could have some serious repercussions if things went south. Running out of water would not be a good thing.

So with that in mind looped round and started heading back south from Taunton. Which required a wee bit of relocating and exploring.

Where's The Beer?

Rock crossing

After a rock crossing of Seaton it was along the creek side via some narrow single track. Which in one spot if one isn't paying attention would be a dip in the creek.

More Beaver

After another stop at the view point to take stock of my water supplies and eat some patatoes as was feeling a little run down. Then resumed heading towards the CP rail bridge to cross over again.

From the bridge looking south could see the other lookout further down that had more shade . And since I had a beer in my pack this was where it would be drunk.

Ah

At this point enjoyed the beer and the last of my food as it was 3.5 hours in on a hot day. And after some quick mental calculations figured had just enough water to get back. So headed backtowards Scarborough. It was from this point the same route back to the Rouge. Once back at the Rouge there was the mandatory second climb up Ben Trash.

Better than  a view from a desk

After descending Ben Trash again it was down to Sheppard via Meadowvale. And just as I turned onto Sheppard drank the last bit of water. SO nearing my Mother in Laws grabbed a Slurppee which was enjoyed while dripping on her front porch.

Reward

After 4 hours of riding had gone through a large Camelbak bottle, 2L hydration bladder, and 2 Back bottles. So the decision at Taunton to not try to go further north was the correct one. And while I want to go further it will take proper planning for this in 2017. It was a good ride which gave me more thoughts of what to plan for in 2017.