Overview
The ride from Ottawa to Montreal by bicycle is excellent.
If you follow the route outlined in this Website you will be on quiet paved
roads for most of the way and never very far from the Ottawa River. The terrain
is relatively flat due to the proximity to the river. It is worth noting that
very few highways in the Provinces of
Ontario and Quebec have paved shoulders: it is important, therefore, to
choose one's cycling routes carefully if you wish to arrive at your destination
safe and sound.
The Weather
The weather in this part of Canada is ideal for cycling between mid-May and
mid-October. July and August can often be hot and humid, but this is not of
major concern since you are near water (and places to swim) almost all of the
time. The months of November to March (inclusive) should be avoided unless your
bike is equipped with snow tires!
Public Transportation
PLANE: Ottawa and Montreal are both major cities and, as such, are
well served by the world's airlines.
Ottawa has excellent
bike paths, including a connection to the Ottawa International Airport.
TRAIN: There is a train
service between Ottawa and Montreal with
VIA Rail Canada but, sadly,
the trains do not take checked baggage.
BUS:
Greyhound Canada operates
a frequent bus service between Ottawa and Montreal. You should check with them for their current policy regarding the
transportation of bicycles.
Bugs and Bears!
Mosquitoes and black flies are their worse in May and June.
However, you are not traveling through the bush on this trip so they will only
be of concern if you should elect to camp during these months. You will not be
in bear country, and there really are no animals that will bother you. We have
no poisonous snakes in this part of Canada.
The Author!
This Website has been compiled by Brian Hedney, an avid cyclist
and educator living in Port Hope, Ontario. If you have any suggestions for
improving this route description, please contact the author by e-mail
(president@freewheelers.ca).
The material contained in this Website is the intellectual property of Brian
Hedney, and is intended to assist fellow cyclists. Feel free to link this
site to other cycling and tourism sites. Cyclists may reproduce the material
contained within this Website for their personal use, but not for profit or
gain.
page updated on
11 Aug 2006
