2010-Spring-OttawaOutdoors

Ottawa runners’ favourite routesGetting the run-around

Ease in to your first timeOvernight camping

Exploring Pinhey’s PointA day of possibilities

How to cycle to work

And enjoy it

Sleeping pads review

To sleep, perchance to dreamBuying a kayak or

canoe this summer?Here’s what you need to know

Two bike roads for all ambitions

From Almonte to P’tit Train du Nord

SPRING/SUMMER 2010 Your guide to the local outdoor adventure sceneOttawa, Ottawa Valley, Gatineau, Quebec

outdoorsFREEottawa

613.223.6299 - [email protected]

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SPRINGSUMMER2010

~ Features5 GivingOttawa-Gatineauthe

run-around7 Twobikeroadsforallambitions9 Easeintofirst-timeovernight

camping10 Caninecanoeing11 Whattothinkaboutwhenbuyinga

canoeorkayak14 Keepgoingwhenthegoing

getstough17 YCCCisOttawa’scanoe

campingclub18 Whitewaterrafting,frogsinthedark,

Gatineauhikes20 Amidsummersix-daydreamtrip

withthekids22 Purewater:backcountrypurification

systems10126 Pinhey’sPoint

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COVER PHOTO: NICKILFORD.istockphoto.com

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Adventure with the kids

outdoorsottawa

Cool GearHot Clothing

Overnight camping When buying a canoe or kayak

Women cycling groups

~ Articles4 Publisher’sLetter

4 Contestannouncement

17 Featuredboat–ImpexKayakHatteras16

24 Tosleep,perchancetodream

29 Planttrivia

30 CoolGearHotClothing

32 Usefulphotographygadgets34 Womensaddlingupandcycle

inconfidence

37 Aroundtown38 Urbanfarmergrowsreally,really

localveggies

40 Eventcalendar&outdoorclubs

43 Afewwordsongreenbattery-chargede-Scooters

45 Stayonthetrails46 Howtocycletoworkandweara

suiteveryday

3www.ottawaoutdoors.ca outdoorsottawa

ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERSHIPSOttawaOutdoorsMagazinealignswithlocalandin-ternationalenvironmentalgroups.RecentlyOttawaOutdoorsMagazinejoinedandsupportsthefollow-inggroups.Weencourageyoutodothesame.

LeaveNoTraceCanadaisanationalnon-profitorganizationdedicatedtopromotingandinspiringresponsibleoutdoorrecreationthrougheducation,researchandpartnerships.LeaveNo

Tracebuildsawareness,appreciationandrespectforourwildernessareas.www.leavenotrace.ca

OnePercentforthePlanetisarapidlygrowingnetworkofcompaniesthatgiveatleastonepercentoftheirannualsalestoenvironmentalcauses.Theircommit-mentprovidesvitalresourcesandaware-nesstoorganizationsthatworktokeep

usonasustainablepath.1%FTPprovidesmemberswithastraightforwardandpowerfulwaytobecomepartofthesolution.WeareproudsupportersofOnePercentasamovementaswellastheirmemberswhichincludeMountainEquipmentCo-opandmorethan20otherbusinessesacrossCanada.www.onepercentfortheplanet.org

PUBLISHER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: DAVE BROWNEDITOR: ROGER BIRD

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSKathleen Wilker, Craig Macartney, Jim Clarke, Allen Macartney, Chantal Rogers, Sheila Ascroft, Larry Showler, Brad Kukurudz, Emma Jackson, Alec Bialski

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERSMichael McGoldrick - www.gobiking.ca, Paul Tessier, DLewis, AccretionPoint, istockphoto, www.couvrette-photography.on.ca

ADVERTISING INQUIRIESDave Brown, Publisher/Editor-in-ChiefOttawa Outdoors Magazine is an independent publication published seasonally every four months and distributed FREE at sports stores all over the region, as well as at 100 other locations.E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 613-860-8687 or 888-228-2918Fax: 613-860-8687

CONTRIBUTIONSOttawa Outdoors Magazine welcomes story and photo contributions. All photos should ideally be shot with a high-resolution digital camera, but otherwise scanned at 300dpi resolution and burned onto a CD-ROM or e-mailed. No unsolicited contributions will be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork. Publisher may publish any and all communications with Ottawa Outdoors magazine, and may edit for clarity and style. Indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index ISSN No. 1204-69556. © Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any materials published in Ottawa Outdoors Magazine is expressly forbidden without consent of the publisher unless otherwise agreed between partners. Printed in Canada.

Are you an outdoor enthusiast who would like to contribute?To submit articles or photos, all you have to do is e-mail us at: [email protected].

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

Ottawa Outdoors magazine, the number (9), this issue and the Ottawa CitizenThesewouldbethetopicsofthispublisher’sletter.:-)

Tobeginwith,thisisour9thyearinpublicationintheregionandwecouldn’tbehappier.We’vebroughtyouhundredsofarticlesabouttheoutdoors,wheretogoandwhatyoucandowhenyougetthere.We’veloved-and,areloving-everypartofit.Wehopeyouaretoo.

Thenumber(9)ismyfavouritenumbercoincidentally,andIthinkit’sbecauseIthoughtitwascoolthatit’sheldinhighesteemorconsideredluckybytheChinese.SincethatdiscoveryIhavehadthenumberonmyUltimateFrisbeeteamjerseysasI’veplayedatthenationalandworldlevel.Turnsoutthenumber(9)isalsoahomophone(Googleit)ofthewordfor“longlasting”,andyagottalovethat.

Thisissueisfilledwitharticlestohelpyoubelonglastingtoo.Dreaminpeaceafterreadingourreviewofsleepingpadsforyournextcamp-out(pg.24).Eatmorelocally-producedveggiesfromanurbanfarmerandyou’lltackonsomebonusretirementyearstoo(pg.38).Ifyoueverthoughtyoucouldn’tbiketoworkforthesweatymessyou’dbeafterwards,thenyouhaven’treadJimClarke’spieceonhowthiscouldbepossible(pg.46).AndtoreallystayyoungtakearidewithBradKukurudzashewritesabouthissix-daydreamtripcyclingwithhistwoyoungdaughters.Allthattosay,there’slotsinthisissueforyoutoreadandenjoy.

MylastbitofgoodnewspertainstotheOttawaCitizen.StaringintheMay2ndSundaypaperI’llhavemyownweeklycolumnwritingabouttheoutdoorlifeintheregion.Similartothemagazine,Ihopeyouenjoyweeklybitesontips,how-tosanddestinationideaspertainingtoallsortsofoutdoor-relatedactivities.Writetomeifyouhavesomethingyou’dlikecovered.Untilthen—likethenumber(9)—mayyourspring,yoursummerandyourself,be“longlasting”.

DaveBrown,Publisher,Editor-in-chief

Enter the Pedal and Paddle

ContestIt’sthattimeagain.

We’rehavingadrawfortwowinnersofthesegreatprizes.

Firstwinnergetschoice.Whatdoyouhavetodo?Justemailourstaffat:

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summeryou’llbepedallingorpaddlingbecauseyouweresmartenoughtoenter.Imean,whyshouldn’titbeyouthat

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Enter today!

and win coolstuff!

4 outdoorsottawa

AnOttawacommunicationsconsultantwhostartedrunningwithhersister-in-lawsixyearsagoafterhersonwasbornrecalls,“Wedidn’thaveproperrunningstrollerswhenwestarted.”BridgetMallonlaughsnow,assessinghowfarshe’scome.Hercurrentgoalistorunafastfivekilometres.

“There’sabigpushintherunningcommunitytocontinuallyexpandyourdistance,butI’mmoreinterestedinincreasingmyspeed,”explainsMallon,whoserouteofchoiceincludeshillrepeatsinthesteepresidentialstreetsbetweentheQueensway and the Civic Hospital.Heradvicetootherrunners?“Don’tbeafraidtogetlost.”

Amissedturncouldleadyoutoyournewestfavouriteroute.

Gatineau ParkisonAngieCameron’sdoorstep.Butthisnine-timemarathonrunnertrainsonbothsidesoftheOttawaRiver.“IntheearlyspringIloverunninguptheParkwayinGatineauPark,”saysCameron,asocialsciencesteacherandadragonboatpaddler.“MostofthesnowismeltedontheParkway,butit’sstillclosedtocarssoyoucanstaydryandtrainonsolidground.”

The Parkwayopenstotrafficbymid-May,whichiswhenCameronswitchestotrailsthroughoutGatineauPark’swoods.“Icangoanydistance,thesceneryisbeautiful,runningontrailsisgoodformylegsandsometimesImeetwildlife.”Cameronhasencountereddeer,snakesandevenabeaveronherfavouriterouteuptoRidgeRoad,whichshelikesbecauseyoucan

warmuponawalkupthehill,andthen

enjoytheupsanddowns.Therearenohugeascents,andshetakes

comfortin

Giving Ottawa-Gatineau the run-aroundTop runners share their favourite routesBY KATHLEEN WILKER

All you need to get out for a run are shoes, motivation and a route that

inspires you to keep on keeping on. You’re in charge of the shoes and the

motivation, but we’ve enlisted three local experts to talk about their favourite

routes to encourage other runners to find their own best tracks.

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knowingthatwhenshe’shadenough,it’sdownhillallthewayhome.

OnWednesdaynights,CamerontrainswithagroupledbyFitnessDynamicswww.fitnessdynamics.ca,atriathlonclubwhichmeetsnearParliament Hill.Workingwithacoachhasfocusedhertrainingandencouragedhertoincludeintervals,hillsandspeedinherrunningplan.

Outin North Gower,JoanneMcFall-Smithsetsoutfromherhouseandrunspastdairybarnsandfarmers’fieldsandintothevillagewithherrunningpartner.“Knowingthatsomeoneelseiswaitingformereallyencouragesmetogetoutrunning”thishighschoollibrarianwhoisaddingdistancecyclingtohertraining.

“TherearesomanyroutesaroundOttawatochoosefrom,”shesays,mentioningrunsintheBrucePitwithherhighschool’strackandcrosscountryteams.

November2008markedaMcFall-Smithfirst,theNewYorkCityMarathon,andshelovedit.“WhenmyhusbandandIwerewatchingtheOlympics,ourbigjokewastellingeachotherthatit’snottoolatetotrainforthenextOlympics,”shelaughs,andaddsthatshefeelsontopofhergame,eatsbetter,sleepsbetterandfeelsbetterwhenshe’srunningaroundOttawa.«oo

CONTACTS FOR LIKE-MINDED RUNNERS

Visit The Running Room at www.runningroom.com to find out about races around Ottawa, and information about clinics like Learn-to-Run, Running for Women and every distance imaginable. Free group runs on Wednesday evening and Sunday morning are open to the public.

OTHER RUNNING CLUBS IN OTTAWA INCLUDE:

• K2J Fitness at k2jfitness.com – Based in Barrhaven, with group runs and clinics for all levels.

• Motionware Running Club at www.running-geek.ca/motionware – Based in Kanata and beginner friendly, the club has runners of all levels and speeds.

• Movement to Health at www.movementtohealth.com – Classes in Kanata and Westboro range from beginners to marathon training. The aim is healthy bodies and minds in a healthy community.

• Ottawa Athletic Club Racing Team at www.OACRacingTeam.com – This road racing team includes triathletes and duathletes.

• Sole Responsibility Run Club at www.soleresponsibility.org/runclub.htm – Led by experienced coaches, this Westboro club’s group runs aim to build fitness and better runners.

• Boomerang Kids Strollercize Classes at www.boomerangkids.ca/strollercize – Walk, jog or run your way to fitness by working out with your baby, whether in the stroller, a carrier … or your tummy! Check the website for strollercize dates and times at the store closest to you. Strollercise is free.

Road, Mountain, Kids and Fitness Bikes for the Whole Family

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Bushtukah, your destination this spring for Running, Triathlon, Cycling, Camping, and Hiking . . . as well as a complete range of Athletic, Cycling, Adventure and Casual Clothing and Footwear!

Running bits• Cottonsockswillonlyleadto

blisters;investinsocksdesignedforrunning

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withmusic• Getreadytolookandfeelfantastic!

6 www.ottawaoutdoors.caoutdoorsottawa

Two bike roads for all ambitionsAn Almonte gem for a family day trip and a more ambitious trip on the Quebec side for a long weekend

BY CRAIG AND ALLEN MACARTNEY PHOTOS – GOBIKING.CA

Here’sacoupleofcyclingroutestogenerateadventurethissummer,oneclosetohomeandtheothernorthofMontreal.Thefirstisperfectforafamilydaytrip,andthesecondwouldmakeanexcellentlong-weekendadventure.

ALMONTE LOOPStartthis15-kilometreloopin

thepicturesquetownofAlmonte,a30-minutedrivewestofOttawa.GettherebydrivingwestonHighway417,thentakeHighway44/49tothetown.

Thisloopiseasytokeeptrackof–it’sleftturnsalltheway.StartcyclingonMartinStreetNorth,headingnorthwest.Thispavedroadleadsoutoftownthroughlovelyrollingfarmfieldswhereyoucanwatchforwildturkeysanddeer.AtthevillageofBlakeneyturnleft,thenpeddlefor3/4ofakilometretothebridgecrossingtheMississippiRiver.

You’llwanttostophereforapicnic,andtoexplorethemanytrailsweavingthroughtheforested

areathathugstheriver.It’sabandseveralhundredmetreswide,almostlikeahighwayofriverandforestrunningthroughthefarmland.

YouturnleftatWolfGroveRoad.Theentiretripinvolvesaleft-handedcircuit.

ThencontinueheadingdowntheroadlessthanakilometreuntilyoucrossCountyRoad29andcontinuetothevillageofBenniesCorners.TurnleftonRamsayConcessionRoad8,andinlessthanakilometreyou’llreachtheMillofKintailConservationArea.Here,you’llfindapostcard-perfect,water-powered,restoredmillsurroundedbymaturetrees.Scenicpicnicareassurroundthearea,asdoamazeofhikingtrails.There’salsoanartgalleryandmuseum.

ContinueyourcyclingtripdownRamsayConcessionRoad8toWolfGroveRoad,youryourfinalleftturn,andloopbacktoAlmonte.

P’TIT TRAIN DU NORD LINEAR PARK

Forthoselookingforamorechallengingadventure,youcan’tbeattheP’titTrainduNordLinearPark.Thisbeautifultrailwindsitswaynorthwestfor200kilometresalongaformerrailwaybed,fromSaintJérômethroughtheLaurentianstoMont-Laurier.Thetrackshavebeenreplacedbyeitherfinegravel(insouthernportionsofthetrail)orpavement(inthenorth).It’sperfectforeitherhybridandmountainbikes.

Thegradeismostlygentle,exceptinafewlocations(seemap)that

P’Tit Train du Nord – One the many beaches where cyclists can stop for a quick swim. This is in Nominingue. The photo was taken on a hot Saturday afternoon, so the beach was well used by the locals.


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requirealittlemoreeffort.Thenorthernhalfofthisroute(ourpreference)hasreststopseveryfiveto10kilometreswithpicnic

tablesandsheltersbesideswampsandponds.Outhousesmakethetrailchildfriendly.

Duringthistripyou’llpassthroughawiderangeofpicturesquevillagesandtownsnearquietstreams,rapids,golfcourses,publicswimmingbeaches,andlookouts,allperfectforpicnicking.Inadditiontoscenicvistas,you’llseewildlife–foxes,ravensandraccoons.Therearehistoricalexhibitsatsomeoftheoldrailwaystationsalongtheroute.

CyclistsplanninganovernighttripwillfindsevencampgroundsonornearthetrailwhilemosttownshaveB&Bs,innsorresorts,andrestaurantscateringtoanytaste.Therearebikerentalspositionednearthetrailinsometowns,andyou’llfindhardwarestoresandrepairshopsincaseyourunintotrouble.

Forsidetripsthereareseveralloopsoffthemainroute,aswellastrailsthatleadtorock-climbinghills.Justwatchforsigns.

Youcanjointhetrailatmanyplaces,includingSt-Jérôme,Ste-Adèle,Sainte-Agathe,Mont-Tremblant,Labelle,L’AnnociationandMont-Laurierandthere’snochargeforusingthetrail.Youcanalsogetfreebrochuresfromtouristkiosksinmostofthetownsalongtheway.«oo

~ Craig and Allen Macartney are avid cyclists.

P’Tit Train du Nord – TheKayakCaféinLabelle.


GET READYStart with a low-stress trip and

build from there. A simple overnight or weekend at a nearby park – one that offers conveniences like toilets, showers and driers. If you’re too ambitious, bad weather and unfa-miliar gear can overwhelm any fun you might have.

GET SETBe prepared. Try out the impor-

tant stuff before you leave home. Set up your tent in the backyard the day before you leave, to ensure you have all the pieces and nothing is broken or torn. If you’ve never lit a fire on your own, practise. It isn’t as easy as it looks or sounds in books or the movies, especially when the wood was rained on last night. Test your camp stove, and test the cook’s skills. Make sure you know how to use it, and it’s not leaking gas.

Be like Santa – make a list of necessary stuff and check it twice – once when you’re packing gear and a second time as you load it into your car.

Expect rain. The weather channel isn’t always right. Pack for rain even if the forecast calls for sun.

GOWith extra socks, a tuque and a

knife. Dry socks are essential for any adventure, especially on a cold night after a day of hiking. A tuque fits the old adage: “Cold feet? Put on a hat.” A good knife is a basic survival tool, and useful in countless ways around a campsite.

With a tarpaulin, and set it up as soon as you reach the site – even under sunny skies. (Wise campers say this alone will guarantee excel-lent weather.) Find a good location near your tent, but not right beside it, to set up a kitchen, store food, and eat. A tarp will keep you dry in rain, and shaded on hot days. Make

sure you slant it so rain is directed away from your tent.

With a sleeping mat. A thick sleeping mat keeps you off the cold ground, and warm.

DIG INAnd create a shallow two- to

three-centimetre-deep trench around your tent. One corner should lead away to your campsite’s low ground. Even in a downpour this trench will keep rain flowing away from your tent.

TURN INFluff up your sleeping bag before

bed. You’ll be amazed how much warmer you’ll be. Flattened sleep-ing bag material does not hold body warmth worth a darn.

And if you think you’re comfort-able now, wait until you survey the wonders of dawn from a warm sleeping bag.«oo

~Craig Macartney is an avid four-season camper.

Ease in to first-time overnight campingBY CRAIG MACARTNEY

Camping is fun, but only if you’re prepared for it. Otherwise, it can become frustrating and cold very quickly. Weather can change without warning and a would-be camper sitting under a tree, soaking wet and wondering how to set up the tent, is having no fun at all. You don’t want that. When camping stays fun, you get hooked for life. Here’s how.

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Canine canoeingTake your pooch for a paddleBY SHEILA ASCROFT

Farleylearnedtocanoelastspring.Well,he’snotactuallyusingapaddle,buthehasdevelopedhissealegsandapenchantforgunnelwatching.

Farleyisamini-Schnauzeranddefinitelynotawaterdog.UnlikeLabsorNewfoundlandswhoarerenownedforswimming,thissix-year-oldsaysnothanks–theclosesthecomesiswadingonlyuptohisbellyandnodeeper.Sohowdoeshedoinacanoe?Forstarters,heprobablywon’tjumpoutintothewater.Helovestobewithhis“pack,”evenifit’sjusttwohumans,andevenifwe’reafloat.Ittookabitoflittletrialanderror,butwefoundoutwhatworks.

Unlikethefirstshortridewhenhequiveredonthedeckastheboatunexpectedlyrocked,hissecondtripwaspurepleasure–pawsongunnels,checkingoutpaddlesplashesandripples,duckingundershorelinebranches,woofingatthesandpiperstippingamidsttherocks.Nowheknowsthedrillandwhenheseesthelifejacketscomeout,herunsontothedockinanticipation.

WHAT WORKEDThefirststepwaspersuadinghim

togetinthecanoe.Onthedock,hewasuncertainofthisunstableobjectbobbinginthewatersoweusedhisprofoundtrustinus–andhisfavouritetreats!Wetookastable,wide-hullcanoeandlefttheturn-on-a-dime,white-watermodelbehind.

Athicktowelonthebottomofthecanoe(arubbermatwilldo,orevenapieceofindustrialcarpet)kepthispawsfromslippingonthefibreglassandprovidedaplaceforhimtositorliedown.Dogsdon’tliketositinbilgewateranymorethanpeople.

Nextwasconvincinghimtostayinthemiddlesectionofthecanoe,notcrawlinmylapwhileI’mpaddling,norgrowlandtrytoattackthepaddleasitcomesoutofthewater.Wepraisedhimhighlywheneverhedidthe“right”thing.Andafloatingtoytiedwithalongstringtothecentrethwartheldhisattentionashewatcheditbob,bob,bobbingalong.

Webroughtanextrawaterbottleforhotdayswhenhegetsasthirstyasthepaddlers.Ifyou’renotdrinkingfromthatriverorlake,neithershouldyourdog.Andifyourdogissun-sensitive,don’tstayouttoolongonthoseperfectsummer

days–anddrapeatoweloverthemiddleseatsohecangetsomeshadeunderneath.

WetookplentyofreststopssoFarleycouldgetoutandexploretheshoreline,haveapeeandthenbecontenttocanoesomemore.It’sgoodpracticeforhimtogetinandoutwithnodock.Ifhepoops,bagitandpackitout–goodetiquettemattersonallwaterways!

ThisspringweareconsideringaPFD(personalfloatationdevice)forFarley,becausehedetestsswim-mingsomuchhe’dbesaferwithoneifthecanoedidtip.

That’sastart.Ifyouwantmorewaterborneadventurewithyourpooch,checkoutDogPaddlingAdventureswww.dogpaddling adventures.comfororganized,dog-friendlytrips.«oo

~ When Sheila Ascroft isn’t paddling she’s biking, or walking Farley and some of his friends through Rideau River parkland.

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Saturday, May 29, 2010 All DayMooney’s Bay Park

Come to the PaddleFest for an opportunity to learn how to paddle, pick up new skills, and test out different boats. This one day family event has something for all ages and skill levels. There will be plenty of demo canoes and kayaks from our exhibitors as well - so come test drive a few!

For more details, visit mec.ca/ottawa

What to think about when buying a canoe or kayakAnd how to choose what’s best for you

BY LARRY SHOWLER

Choosingthe“perfectcanoeforyou”shouldn’tbecomplicatedandtechnicalbutratherfun,exciting,andeducational.Here’sanintro.

Canoe Length: Giventwocanoesofequalwidth,alongercanoewillhavegreaterspeed,increasedcapacity,andwilltrack(gostraight)better.Shortcanoesinthe15-footrangealthoughslower,aremoremanoeuvrable,lighter,lessexpensive,easiertotransport,andarewonderfulfordayuseandshortovernighttrips.Largecanoes17-to18-footrangeareusedforextendedexcursions,orforlargefamiliesduetotheirincreasedcapacity.ThemostpopularCanadiancanoelengthis16to16½feet.Thismidsizelengthoffersbothrecreationalpaddlersandtrippersagoodcompromiseofspeed,manoeuvrability,capacity,weightandprice.

Canoe width: Theprimaryfunc-tionofwidthisstability.Thewiderthecanoethemorestableitis.Nar-rowcanoestendtobelessstablebutmoreefficientastheirhullspushlesswater.MosttandemCanadiancanoesare33to36incheswidewith36beingthenorm,whilemostsolocanoeswillaverage28to33inches.

Canoe depth: Ismeasuredatthecentrelinefromthegunneltothebottomoftheboat.Itisimportanttohaveacanoewithsufficientdepthforcarryingcapacityandsafety.Adeepercanoewilldeflectsprayandwavesbetter,butmaybe

moresusceptibletocrosswinds.Adepthof13to14inchesiscommoninqualityrecreationalandgoodtrippingcanoes.Whitewatercanoesmaybeasdeepas16inches.Shorterdaytrippingcanoesandsolocanoesmaybeasshallowas12inches.

Canoe symmetry: Thisistheoverallshapeofthecanoefromfronttoback.Thehullofasymmetrical,traditionalcanoe

hasidenticallyshapedhalveswiththewidestpointatthecentre.Symmetricalcanoesmanoeuvrequickerandprovidemorepredictablebehaviourinwhitewaterconditions,orpaddlingnarrowriversandstreams.Anasymmetrical,moderncanoehasalongerstreamlinedbowwiththewidestpointafootorsobehindcentre.Asymmetricalcanoestend


tobefaster,moreefficientandtrackbetter.Flat-waterpaddlerslookingforefficiencyoftenchooseasymmetricalcanoes.

Canoe entry lines: Entrylinesofacanoe’sbowandsternareusuallydescribedasnarroworfull.Canoeswithnarrowlinesareusuallyfast,efficientandtendtocutthroughthewavesratherthanrideoverthem.Canoeswithabluntorwiderbowandsternwillbeslowerbutwillhandlewavesandrapidsmoreeffectively.

Canoe rocker: Thisisthede-greeofcurvetothekeellinewhenviewedfromendtoend.Canoeswithaflatterkeellinewilltrackbetterbutwillturnwithmoredif-ficulty.Conversely,canoeswithalotofrockerturneasilybecausetheirendssithigherinthewater,butdonottrackaswell.Whitewatercanoestendtohavelotsofrockerandflat-watercanoestendtohavealmostnone.Mostcanoesareacompro-miseofthetwo.

Hull Shapes: Flat-bottomcanoeshavethegreatestwettedsurfaceandmostinitialstabilitywhenpad-dlingincalmwater.However,whenleaned,orinroughwater,aflat-bottomcanoequicklybecomeslessstable,andcanflipwithlittlewarn-ing.Flat-bottomhullsaregenerallybestforbeginners,fishermananddaypaddlerswithchildrenorpetsaboard.

Round-andvee-bottomcanoeshavetheleastwettedsurface,sotheyfeellessstableinitiallyincalmwater.However,theyprovidethemostresistancetotippingwhenleaned,orinroughwater.Round-orvee-bottomhullsaregenerallyfast,efficientandarebestforexperiencedpaddlersorthoseaspiringtobe.

Shallowarch-bottomcanoesareagoodcompromiseofthetwohullshapesmentionedabove,providingagoodblendofbothinitialand

secondarystability.Shallow-archhullssuitawiderangeofskilllevelsforpaddlerswhowantonecanoewithgoodall-roundperformance.

Canoe shape above the water line: Thesidesofacanoeabovethewaterlinealsoaffectperformance.Flaredsidesshedwaterawayfromthecanoe,whiletumblehomeprovidesanarrowbeamatthegunnelsallowingthepaddlereasieraccesstothewater.Straight-sidedcanoesareacompromiseofthetwo.Somecanoescombineanumberoftheseshapes.

Keels or Not: Canoeswithkeelstrackbetterandwillboostthecanoe’sresistancetoside-slippingincrosswinds,aswellasprovideaddedhullprotection.Keellesscanoesturnmorequicklybutdon’ttrackaswell.Beginners,fishermanandfamilieswithchildrenliketheuser-friendlyfeelofkeels.Experiencedandwhitewaterpaddlerstendtopreferthemanoeuvrabilityakeellesscanoeprovides.

Generallyspeaking,astheuserskillsincrease,theneedforakeeldecreases–vee-hullcanoesarekeelless,butagoodpaddlercanmakeonebitethewatermuchlikeakeeledboat.

Canoe stem shape: Theprofileoftheboworsternasseenfromthesideiscalledthestem.Therearethreebasicstemshapes:plumb(vertical),raked(slanted)orre-curved.Eachshapehasitsownadvantages.Aplumbdesignmaximizeshullspeed.Arakedstemprovidesmorevolumeintheendsfordrierhandlinginwaves.Are-curvedstemhasatraditionallookandturnsquicker.

Carrying capacity: Thisistheweightofpeopleandgearacanoecanholdwhilestillprovidingopti-mumperformanceandretainingatleastsixinchesoffreeboardforsafety.

Unfortunately,mostmanufacturersvastlyoverstatecapacitybylistingweightshundredsofpoundstoohigh.So,TEST-paddlefirstanddeterminewhichcanoemeetsyourcapacityneeds.

There’snosuchthingasaperfectcanoe,butbynowyouhavefig-uredoutthatacanoedesignedtoexcelinoneareamustcompromiseitsperformanceinanother.Happyshopping!«oo

~ Larry and Christine Showler are lifelong paddlers with boats for sale from their Frontenac Outfitters Canoe & Kayak Centre.

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TOLL FREE in ONTARIO 1.800.250.3174 1.613.376.6220

Canoes & Kayaks for all levels

For the family

For the Outdoor Enthusiast

For the Fisherman

MARK YOU CALENDARS & JUMP IN YOUR CAR!

Our 26th AnnualSPRING SALEis Fri. May 7 to May 9th

9am – 5pmTest-paddle 300 boats on our beautiful lake & meet

the makers!

• Ourwaterfrontpaddlesportscentreoffersasuperiorbuyingexperiencematchingboatstopaddlerstherightway,‘On-the-water’,for26years

• Testpaddle+200boatsonourbeautifullakeEVERYDAY

• Wedoitall-sales,rentals,courses,tours&clinics

• We’llgetyouintherightboatforyou.Areafewhoursof yourtimeworthalifetimeof paddlingpleasure?

• Checkoutourwebsiteforinfoallaboutkayaksn’canoes

[email protected]

Damaged tent poles

Bentorbrokententcandamagethetentfly.Trygentlybendingaluminumorothermetalpolesbackintoshape.(Fibreglasspoleswon’tbendback,andmayshatter.)Wrapdamagedareasinducttapetocoversharpburrs.Youmaywanttosplintabrokenorbadlybentpolewithstickswrappedinducttapetoaddstrength.«oo

Accidentshappen,socampersneedtobeabletorepairgearonthespot,inthefield,tokeepitworkinguntiltheycangetbacktocivilization.Anythingyoureallyneedisavailableatoutdoorstores:nylonrepairtapepatches($1.50),plasticgrommets($1.50),aMcNettfieldrepairkit($5.75)andducttape.Itallfitseasilyintoasmallpocketinabackpack.

Rips and holes

Tents,tarpaulinsandbackpacksgetlotsofwearandcandevelopripsandholesfromcampfireembersormetalframes.Manycanberepairedwithducttapebypullingthetworippedpiecestogetherandrunningoneortwolengthsofducttapedowntheproblem.Forbiggertears,nylonrepairtapepatchesareperfect.Asbefore,alignthesidesofthetearandstickthepatchdirectlyovertherip,withatleast2.5centimetres(aninch)ofoverlap.Patchbothsidesoftheflyortentwalltobesafe.Iftheripisnearatentflypressurepoint,simplydoubleupthepatches.

Broken buckles

Tyingstrapstogetherworksforawhile,butthebestsolutioninvolvesneedleandthreadfromyourfieldrepairkit.Withthisyoucanreplaceadamagedbucklewithalessessentialonecutofffromelsewhereonyourpack.Removethebrokenbuckle,loopthenylonstrapoverthenewone,andsewitinplace.

Andyoucancureastickyzipperbyrubbingabarofsoapupanddownitaslubricant.Avoidoil,whichmaystainfabric.

Keep going when the going gets toughBY CRAIG MACARTNEY

Ripped out grommets

Tarpaulincornergrommetssometimesripoutfromstress.Replacethemwithplasticgrommetsinyourrepairkit.Yousnapthetwogrommetpiecesoneithersideofthetarpfivetoeightcentimetres(twotofourinches)awayfromthetear.Thenpokeaholethroughthetarpinthecenterofthenewlyplacedgrommet.Nowyou’llbeabletohangyourdamagedtarpworry-free.Forhighwind,usetwogrommetsclosetogether.


More than 350 canoes and kayaks

in stock

• Recreational Kayaks• Touring Kayaks• Fishing Kayaks• Recreational Canoes• Touring Canoes• Racing Canoes• Paddles and PFDs• Fishing Accessories• Camping Gear . . . and so much more

RIVER RD

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Come and visit us

in our old heritage

barn show room just

30 minutes south of Ottawa.

5426 Dalmeny RoadOsgoode, ON

613•826•0922www.Jenda.com

Canoe and KayakSales and Rentals

YCCC is Ottawa’s canoe camping clubOffering low-cost tripping and training since 1952

BY CHANTAL ROGERS

Doyouloverunningwhitewaterrivers?Ortheserenityofaremotelake?ThentheYCCCisforyou!

Ottawa’sYM/YWCACanoeandCampingClub(YCCC)–avolunteerorganization–wasstartedalmost60yearsago(1952)byafewfriendspassionateaboutcanoeing.Originally,theclubwasaplacetolearncanoeingtechniques,andofcourseexperienceCanada’sgreatwaterways.Peoplewouldgotolearn,butaftergainingacomfortinthecraft,theywouldleavetheclubtoembarkontheir

owncanoeingadventures.ThisissomethingtheYCCCistryingtochange.Theclublovesprovidingaffordablecanoeing,wildernessandwatersporttraining,butitalsowantsmemberstostickaroundandenjoypaddlingtogether.Currently,itboastsbothbeginnersandadvancedpaddlers,adventureseekerswholovewhitewaterand/orflatwater.

FamilyCampisanewfeaturetheYCCCisexcitedtopromote.Theclubwantstoexpanditsactivitiesandshowyoungpeoplethejoyoftheoutdoors.Itisnowofferingavarietyofeventsforallagesandlevelsofdifficulty.Aswell,kayaklessonsandouttripswillbeofferedthiscomingyear.

Thispastspringtheclubhadanopenhouseoftheupcomingseason,encouraging

newmemberstojoinupfortrainingsessions,andinvitingreturningmemberstogetinvolvedinthediversityoftripsandwildernessexperiencesplannedfortheupcomingyear.

Throughouttheyear,thecluboffersseminarsondifferenttopicsrelatedtowatersportandsafety.Whetheryouwanttolearnsurvivalskills;howtobravetheelementswithkidsintow;orhowtoplanforyourfirstweek-longcanoetrip,theseseminarsareagreatplacetomeetpeople,learnsomethingnew,andhaveagreattime.

Whydon’tyoucheckouttheYCCC?Startbyvisitingwww.yccc.ca.«oo

New for 2010, Impex Kayaks Hatteras 16 provides a wonderful blend of playfulness, maneuverability and stability, while retaining its great tracking and efficiency characteristics. The entire ‘Frontenac Outfitters Review Team’ loved the Hatteras - calling it “the best Impex kayak design since the Currituck”.

PADDLER FIT:A higher deck and longer/wider

cockpit contribute to its extensive fit range of small to large paddlers. A new redesigned seat pan is longer and the seat also slopes forward to maximize drainage.

KAYAK EFFICIENCY & MANEUVERABILITY:

Surf kayaks maneuverability is often achieved at the expensive of sacrificing tracking and efficiency. What separates the Impex Hatteras from its competitors is its ability to do both well! A slightly softer chine and moderate rocker provide a high degree of liveliness, while a sharp waterline and shallow Vee hull ensures great tracking.

KAYAK STABILITY:The Impex Hatteras Kayaks initial

stability was rated as ‘high’.

KAYAK ROLL & RESCUE:A phase too-often abused by

manufactures is that “their kayak rolls easily”, but in the case of the Impex Hatteras - it’s actually true! A slightly higher, more bulbous foredeck, low rear deck and redesigned seat pan make wet entries, wet exits and Inuit rolls easy. New ‘Vee Deck’ European Colour Schemes are available exclusively, a $150 value Free!

To read more about this and other boats, visit www.frontenac-outfitters.com for a detailed list of specs and reviews.

Featured Boat: Frontenac Outfitters –Impex Kayaks Hatteras 16

17www.ottawaoutdoors.ca

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outdoorsottawa

LivinginOttawa-Gatineaumeansbeingjustabikerideorashortdrivefromoutdoor,warm-weatherfunclosetohome.Mostoftheseworkforallages.

Birds in the handHavethebirdseatingoutofyour

handintheBritanniaConservationArea,onMudLake.ThispatchofwildernessclosetoBritanniaBeachattheendofCasselsStreetdrawsbirdwatcherstoitstrailsinallsea-sons,butespeciallyspring.Therearesongbirds,heronsandwoodducksmakingthismixedforestandwetlandtheirhomeormigrating

throughontheirwaynorth.Bringyourownbirdseedandthechicka-deeswillbeeatingoutofyourhand.Wannabenaturalistscanspotfrogsorturtlesclosetoshore.It’saneasywalkalongawellmarkedtrail,suit-ableforallagesandabilities.

Gatineau Park creaturesTheFriendsofGatineauPark

www.rezoe.com/amicigatineau offerprogramsinbothEnglishandFrenchtointroducesomeofthePark’sstarresidents.AmphibianspecialistRobAlvowill

takeyoutowherefrogsandtoadssinginspringtime.Afteranintroduction,

you’llgointothePark,enjoytheconcertfirsthandandidentifythesecreaturesoftheduskchorus.Meetat7p.m.attheVisitorCentre,33ScottRoadinChelsea.ThiseventisinFrenchApril23andinEnglishApril30.

Registerat819-827-2020andticketsare$15peradultand$5

children.Theshowiscappedatajust-manageable30par-

ticipants,soregisterearly.

Whitewater rafting, frogs in the dark, Gatineau hikes…Great adventures are close to home

BY KATHLEEN WILKER

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A vacation destinationto see and feel!

Do you enjoy cycling while onvacation? Discover the many cycling possibilities available

throughout the maritime regions of Québec.

Plan your vacation online:www.seeandfeel.ca/cycle

Forillon National Park of Canada (Gaspésie)

La Pocatière (Bas-Saint-Laurent)

Cap-des-Rosiers (Gaspésie)

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Gatineau Park trailsHikerswithapenchantforvertical

realitywilllovethegreatviewsandsteepclimbsalongGatineauPark’sSkylineorWolfTrails.

Skylineisaboutsixkilometreswithsteepclimbs,andhistory–itwasthefirstdesignatedtrailafterthecre-ationoftheParkin1938.StartingatthePenguinpicnicarea,itascendstogreatvistasandaclearlymarkedloopalongwellpackedtwistsandturns.TherouteendswitharelaxingdownhillandyoucantopitoffwithicecreaminOldChelsea.

WolfTrailiseightkilometresofsteepclimbsforhikersandachal-lengingrunforjoggers.Highlightsin-cludeacreekcrossing,abeaverpond,agentlestrollbesidefarmruinsandapicnicindoorsatWesternCabinifyouwant.It’sdesignatedhikers-only,notmountainbikes,butsomebikersstray,sokeepyourheadup.ParkatP13byBlanchetBeach.You’llhavetopayforparkingstartingmid-June.

Enthusiastickidscouldhandlebothtrailsbutthesmallesthikerswillprobablyneedapiggybackpartoftheway.DownloadtheGatineauParksummerhikingtrailmapatwww.canadascapital.gc.ca/data/2/rec_docs/3414_SummerTrailMap.pdf/.

Ottawa River whitewaterRaftingdowntheOttawaRiveris

availablejustanhour’sdriveupriver,withguidesonhandtotakeyoufortherideofalifetime.

Youcanchoosefrom(inalpha-beticalorder;they’reallgoodac-cordingtocustomersI’vetalkedto)Esprit Raftingwww.whitewater.ca;Owl Rafting www.owl-mkc.ca;River Runwww.riverrunners.com;andnearbyWilderness Tourswww.wildernesstours.com/.Eachof-ferssingle-dayadventuresormulti-daytrips.Therearefamily-friendlytripsforchildrenwho’llgetwetbutnotscared.Reallylittlekidsarenot

allowedonboard,butthere’splentyoffunforthemashore.

Raftingisnotcheap,butthethrillsareworththeprice–theyvary,socheckthewebsites.TheOttawaRiverhasoutstandingrapidsbutyoudon’tneedtobeanacepaddler–guidesteachbasicstrokes,calloutcommands,andsteertheboat.Youcanbookacampsiteforaweekendtoo,andenjoygreatfoodatrestau-rantsonthesites.«oo


Wewerestartingasix-day,300-kilometreridefromOttawatoKingston,mostofitoffthebeatentrack,meaningruralroads,second-aryhighwaysandbicyclepaths.WewantedtofollowtheRideauRiverandcampatthehistoricRideauLocksalongtheway.

GettingherestartedfiveyearsagowhenIdecidedthatsomedayIwouldtakemychildrenonanannualcycletoursoIcouldspendtimewithmyfamilyandstillgetmytourfix.WhenIsetoffwithLunaandAnnika,aged7and3,itwasourfirstbigbicycletripafterayearortwooflocalforays.

Iwasn’ttooconcernedaboutdistance,butIdidworryaboutroutes.Iwantedtostayoffthemainhighwaysroadsandfindaffordableaccommodationsalongtheway.AndinhotAugustweather,goodswimmingholesneededtobepartofthejourney.

A midsummer six-day dream trip with kidsBY BRAD KUKURUDZ

LastAugustIrolledoutofthedrivewayfullyloadedatthehelmofa2.4-metre,67-kilotandembicycleandsetoffalongthewesternstretchesofWellingtonStreetwhiletwochildrenvibratedwithexcitementbehindme.

TheRideauCanalsystemwasanaturalchoice.TheCanalitselfinOttawahasprovidedmykidswithhoursofenjoy-mentasweridethepathwaysalongtheCanalandwatchboatsmovethroughthelocks.IfoundmyselfthinkinghowgreatitwouldbetofollowthehistoricRideauCanalsystemdowntoKingston.

ABackroadsMapbook(EasternOntarioedition)andsomewebbrowsingledtotheinvaluableRideauCanalWaterwaywebsite(seebelow),witheverythingfrommapstoaccommodationstothehistoryoftheCanal.Cyclecampingatthelockstationswascheap($5anightperperson,kidsunder12free).Althoughsomeof-ficialpublicationssayindividualcycletour-istscan’tcampthere,ittookonlyafewphonecallsandIwastoldthiswasnotthecaseandencouragedtocomeonin.

Iknew50to60kilometreswasthekids’dailylimitandafamilymapsessionsetuparoutewithstagesthatworked,

mostlyonruralorunpavedroadsthroughfarmlandsoftheOttawaregion,andLanark,LeedsandGren-ville,andFrontenaccounties.WealsoplannedtoexploreasectionoftheCataraquiTrail,aconvertedrailbedfromSmithsFallstoNapanee,withaccesspointstomanylocksta-tionsalongtheway.

ThenIhadtofindawaytofitallthreeofusandourgear,ontwowheels.Annika,thereallyyoungone,wasstilltooshortforasinglewheeltagalong)soIlookedatways

toallowhertogetaboardthetan-dem.ThesolutionwasmyXtracycleFreeRadicalkit(seeinset).Itmadethebikealmostametrelonger,butithadenoughspacetocarryallourgearandmountAnnika’schildseat.Afteraneighbourhoodtestrunthatdrewcuriousglances,ourtouringrigwasready.


Itwasn’tuntilwewereunderwaythatthethoughtoccurred–whatexactlydoyoudowithtwokidsonabikeforsixdays?Conversationusuallycenteredonthenextsnackoricecreambreak.Therestofthetime,gamesof“ISpy,”knock-knockjokes,story-telling,andmany,manysongsdidthetrick.Wetalkedaboutwhatwesawalongtheroadandcountedtheanimalswespotted.Wetriedcountingboxcarsonpassing

GEAR CHECKLISTCAMP Tent/tent ground sheet/tarp Sleeping bags Self inflating sleeping pads Pillow or rolled jacket/sweater Rope – 15 metres Clothespins Camp lantern/table light –

crank powered

KITCHEN Single-burner stove Single pot (medium) with lid Small non-stick pan Coffee press Mugs/water bottles Plates/bowls Cutlery (fork/spoon or spork) Flexible chopping mat Single- or multi-blade knife Spice kit Can opener Small utensil kit – wisk, flipper,

scraper Soap/dish towel/scrub pad Mutli-colour stuff sacks

BIKE Flat repair kit – tube/patch kit/

tire boot/pump Multi-tool including chain

breaker Spare brake and shift cable Spare spokes front and rear

wheel Spare chain links Assorted nuts/bolts Front/rear battery or dynamo

powered lights Front and rear panniers Handle bar bag Water bottles

CLOTHING Rain jacket/pants Riding or walking shoes/

sandals for camp Helmets Sun and rain hats Bug shirts or hats 2 or 3 T-shirts Warm sweater – wool or fleece 2 or 3 pair shorts/skirts Single pair long pants Bathing suits Swim towels

MISCELLANEOUS First aid kit Sunscreen Umbrella Camera Headlamps Maps

trainsastheyflashedbyatlevelcrossings.Sometimeswesimplypedalledinsilenceandenjoyedtheview.

Duringoursixdayswevisitedoneprovincialpark(RideauRiver,justoutsideKemptville)andfourlockstations–MerrickvilleandSmithsFalls(greatforboat-watching),JonesFalls(historyandswimming),andthenUpperBrewer’slocksjustbeforeourfinalpushtoKingston,


Hike in the forest, through the mountains, along the shore or on abeach, with or without a guide, for

several hours or several days—thechoice is yours! Québec maritime

offers all this and more.

Plan your vacation online:www.seeandfeel.ca/hike

Bic National Park (Bas-Saint-Laurent)

Entry Island (Îles de la Madeleine)

Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada (Duplessis)

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Gaspésie National Park


homeofCityPark,achildren’splayandwaterdestination.

Backhome,whenthekidswereaskedwhattheydidforsummervacation,storiesoftheirtrekcametolifeinvividdetail.Withtheendofanotherschoolyearcomingup,theonlyquestionis,wheredowegonext,notwhether.«oo

~Brad Kukurudz manages the service shop at Tall Tree Cycles. He’ll be running a family cycling and touring workshop this summer at the Carp Ridge Learning Centre.

TIPS ON BIKING WITH KIDS •Be flexiblewithmenusand

involvethekidsinthedecisions.Afavouriteforuswasbagelsandcreamcheese.

•Water.Kidsdrinkwhenyoudo.Peebeforedeparture.

• Eat out sometimes.Aroadsideeateryisanicebreakfromtheone-potmeal.

•Plan a day off for playmidwaythroughthetrip.Kidsneedadownday.

•Bring toys.Abeachballcandoubleforsoccer,volleyballorbaseball.Skippingropestakeuplittlespaceandwaterballoonsareahit.Asecretstashofactivitybooksorgameshelpstoo.

•Bring colour-coded stuff-sacksforfoodandclothes.

• Rememberit’snotthedestination,butthe journey.Havefunandletthekidsdictatethereststops.

WEBSITES•www.mec.caforcampingand

cookinggear•www.talltreecycles.cafor

bicycles,touringaccessoriesadvice

•www.rideau-info.com/canalallabouteverythingontheRideauRiveranditslockstations

•www.xtracycle.combolt-onkitforextracargo

•www.gobiking.caforadetailedlistoftrailsandotherlinks

Pure waterBackcountry purification systems 101

BY KATHLEEN WILKER

Everyoneneedswatertostayhealthyandactiveoutdoors,andit’seasytobringwaterfromhomeforadaytrip.Butalongertripmeansfindingwaterasyougo.Don’tdrinkfromthatcrystal-clear,fast-runningstream–anintestinaldiseasecalledgiardiabythedoctorand“beaverfever”byhikersmaybelurking,anditsparasitesaretoosmalltosee.

Safewatercomesfromboilingit,filteringit,ortreatingitwithbacteria-killingtablets.It’snotaslamdunk.Beforeboilingorfilteringwater,chooseitcarefully.Fromtheshore,collecttheclearest,debris-free,runningwateryoucanget.Inaboat,paddletothemiddleoftheriverorlaketoscoopitup.

Usecleancontainers.Don’tcollectwaterinthesamecontainersyou’regoingtousetostorepurewater–aneasymistakethatcanmakeyousick.Sugarsinfruitjuicecanstillgrowbacteriainarecycledbottle,socleancontainersthoroughly.

Boilwateratarollingboilforfiveminutes–afewbubblesisNOTarollingboil–tokillallbacteria.Thisisasafemethodtopurifyyourwater,butrequiresfuelorfirewood,timetoboilthewaterandtimetocoolitafterwards.

Ifyou’reusingpurificationtabletsinsteadofboilingwater,useabrandapprovedbytheRedCross.Theyareeffectiveagainstgiardia,bacteria,andviruses.Youcangettabletsthatpurifyonelitreatatimeor20litresfrom$7to$20.Inapinch,iodineworks,butit’s

unhealthyforpeoplewiththyroidconditionsandittastesawful.

Therearethreewaystopurifywaterwithoutchemicalsorfuelforboiling:

MANUAL PUMPSThesearelightenoughtotake

hiking,attacheasilytoastandardwaterbottleandincludealongplasticpipewithapurifyingfilteronthenozzletoplaceinthewatersource.Pricesvaryaccordingtohowfastyoucanfilterwaterandhowmuchwateryoucanpurifybeforeyouneedtoreplacethecloggedupceramicorcarbonfilters.About$80getsyouagoodqualitypump.Ifyou’repumpingforeverandgettingonlyatrickle,yourfilterneedscleaning.Backhome,takethepumpapartandletthefiltersdryout.Replacementpartsareavailable.


GRAVITY FILTERAbout$70to

$100willbuyyouabase-campwaterfilterthatreliesongravityinsteadofpumping.Thepricevariesdependingontherateofwaterfiltering–from1.5litresaminutetofivelitresperhour,andtheyholdabout10litresofwater.Greatforgroupcamping.

ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT PENS

Spend$100-$130andyou’llhaveapersonalwaterpurificationsystemthatworksbyzappingbacteria,viruses,andprotozoa.Youjusttakeyourultravioletlightpen,insertitintoyourwater,flickiton,andin90secondstheultravioletraysmesswiththeDNAofthebacteriaandthewaterispure.Justlikethat.Thisisapurificationsystem,notafilter,soyou’llwanttouseitwithclearwaterorfilteritsoyou’renotdrinkingparticlesandtinycorpses.«oo


Bas-Saint-Laurent offers ideal conditionsfor sea kayaking. Explore the majestic

St. Lawrence River and discover islandsand lighthouses. Paddle along the shoreline and share the water with

numerous seabirds, seals and whales!

Plan your vacation online:www.seeandfeel.ca/bsl

For more information about Bas-Saint-Laurent:

1-800-563-5268

Bic National Park

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If, in spite of all your precautions, you do happen to encounter a bear:

1. Don’t panic and run away. Running is a signal to the bear that you are prey and may trigger an attack. Bears are very fast and are capable of speeds more than twice that of the average human.

2. Don’t climb a tree. Black bears are excellent climbers.

3. Stand your ground and back away slowly, talking in a firm voice. If you have bear spray, get it ready for use. A bear banger or other noisemaker such as an air horn have also been recommended by some people (but others say that loud noise may provoke the bear).

4. If the bear charges, it may be bluffing, so wait to see if it continues to within several metres before using bear spray. A concentrated blast of spray in the face will be more effective then a diffused cloud.

5. Some experts advise that you play dead if the bear is a grizzly and to fight back if it is a black bear. Others say play dead until the bear is obviously feeding on you, then fight back.

BEAR ATTACK


To sleep, perchance to dreamSo choose a sleeping pad with care

BY KATHLEEN WILKER

My10-year-oldarmysurplusself-inflatingsleepingpad

sawmethroughthreetree-plantingseasonsandcountless

backcountrycanoeingtrips.Butthenthevalveleakedan

audiblehiss,thepatchesnolongerheldupovernightandmy

over-30bodydemandedbettersleeptohandletomorrow’s

trail.Itwastimeforareplacement.

Butthedazzlingrangeofnewstylesandmodelsatmy

outdoorstorewereachallenge,andaneventualknowledge

stashforreaders.Here’sthelatest,greatestandnotquite

great.

• Pricesrangefrom$40-$250,sofirstask

yourselfthesesleepy-timequestions:

• HowlightweightdoIneedtogo?AmIstilla

backcountrycamper?

• HowcolddoIgetatnight,sohowmuch

insulationdoIneed?

• Howmuchtimedoneedforset-up?AmI

willingtoinflatethepadmyselfordoIneeda

self-inflatingmodel?

Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Sleeping Pad

This is a lightweight, compact sleeping pad with incredible loft and insulation, costing $86 to $118 depending on length.

Pros: So much loft, it’s as cozy as your own bed. Includes insulation too.

Cons: Take a deep breath. You supply the air to inflate this mattress and your hot breath could mean mould in your camping future. So dry it thoroughly after trips.

Weight ranges from about 0.7-0.9 kg and it packs down to a roll about 20x10 or 25x15 cms.

Rating: *****

Therm-A-Rest Prolite Plus Women’sWomen-specific designs are shorter than regular mattresses and offer more insulation at

the hips and toes, where women get coldest.Pros: Without sacrificing space or adding weight to your pack, you get extra

padding where you need it. Almost four cms. of loft will keep you cozy on cold nights.

Cons: At $85, slightly more expensive than standard models.Its 680 grams pack down to 28x12 cms. Good durability but

bring along a patch kit for possible leaks.Rating: ****


Thermarest CouplerA compact, lightweight strap and

buckle for linking two mattresses so couples can cuddle without falling into a gap. Costs $13.95.

Pros: Maybe a cute wedding present for an outdoorsy couple?

Cons: Two camping mattresses are much narrower than a double bed, so this is a squished sleeping choice. With a long strap and a buckle, you could make your own version. It’s lightweight, but these aren’t the strongest straps you’ve ever seen.

Rating: **

Big Agnes Insulated Air Core Sleeping Pad

This is a lightweight, compact sleeping pad with incredible loft and insulation, costing $86 to $118 depending on length.

Pros: So much loft, it’s as cozy as your own bed. Includes insulation too.

Cons: Take a deep breath. You supply the air to inflate this mattress and your hot breath could mean mould in your camping future. So dry it thoroughly after trips.

Weight ranges from about 0.7-0.9 kg and it packs down to a roll about 20x10 or 25x15 cms.

Rating: *****

Exped Downmat 9 Pump Deluxe

This is the most luxurious – and costly, $230 – sleep you can imagine, insulated with ultra light-weight goose down.

Pros: Perfect for pampering yourself with a cozy sleep on snow. Keeps colder and older campers going hard all year round.

Cons: Comes in only one length and some users complain it’s more slippery at night than self-inflating mattresses. Requires its own pump.

It weighs 1.26 kg (mattress plus pump), has good durability and packs down to 38x18 cms.

Rating: ****Therm-A-Rest Prolite Plus Women’sWomen-specific designs are shorter than regular mattresses and offer more insulation at

the hips and toes, where women get coldest.Pros: Without sacrificing space or adding weight to your pack, you get extra

padding where you need it. Almost four cms. of loft will keep you cozy on cold nights.

Cons: At $85, slightly more expensive than standard models.Its 680 grams pack down to 28x12 cms. Good durability but

bring along a patch kit for possible leaks.Rating: ****

Thermarest Z-LiteThis accordion-style, folding-egg-shell mattress is just a step up from your dad’s

Canadian Tire blue-foam mattress.Pros: It will last forever and it’s cheap ($35). There’s no valve to break or

seams to weaken. It can be cut into useful pack liners that double as

lightweight cushions for a canoe or sitting by a campfire.

Cons: offers little warmth or comfort.

No problem to carry at a light 420 grams, but it

remains a bulky item you’ll probably strap

to the outside of your pack.

Rating: *


26 www.ottawaoutdoors.ca

Pinhey’sPointHistoricSiteisnotexactlyhidden,butwhencity-dwell-ingoutdoorenthusiastsfirstcomeuponit,theyoftenfinditsurprisinglyfulfilsalotoftheirinnernaturalist.

The35-hectaresitealongtheOttawaRiverinDunrobinjustnorthofKanatafeaturesawalkingpath,andarestorationofthehistorichomebuiltbetween1820and1840.Thestonefoundationoftheoriginalclapboardcabinisstillthere,andlaterstoneadditionsfromasearlyas1822areintactandstabilized.Andifyou’recomingbyboat,there’sashelteredbaywithapublicdockonthewaterfront.

FortheoutdoorspersonkeentolearnaboutOttawa’shistory,Pinhey’sPointisoneofthoserarelocationswhereculturalandnaturalhistorycometogether.

HamnettKirkesPinheyarrivedin1820toestablishhimselfaspartofCanada’sgentry.SettlinginthewildsofMarchTownship,hesoonbecameaprominentpoliticianandbusinessmanintheOttawaValley,andhisstonehome,namedHor-acevilleafterhisson,wastangibleproofofhisachievements.Itsatonanescarpmentforsteamboatpassengers,furtraders,merchants,timbermenandtravel-lerstosee.

Today,muchtangibleevidenceofthateraremains,withahousestillabeautifulsightforboaters,andfunction-ingasamuseumtochroniclethefamily’sinfluenceintheregion.

ButthegroundsalonecanmakePinhey’sPointworthavisit.It’soffthebeatentrackandcanbehardtofindifyou’renotwatchingforthesigns,butthat’spartoftheadventure,whetheryouarrivebyboatorcar.

Oftenonlytrueenthusiastsshowup,makingthesitemoreofanescapefromcrowdedcitylifethanotherriverfrontparks.Apathcriss-crossesthegrounds,whicharehometoallkindsofwildbirdsandanimals.Barnsaswellasruinsfromtheorigi-nalkitchen,ashhouseandlogcabinsurroundthemuseum.Insummer,thepark’snaturalamphitheatre,setoffbymaturetreesandhighlightedbywildflowers,suitsanyonefromsunworshippers,topicnickersorkidswhowantarolldownthegrassyslope.

Canoes,kayaks,andpuntstieupatthedock,eitherasadestinationorapitstop.YachtskippersandcrewfromlocalwatercraftclubsfindthePointanexcellenthalfwayspotforapicnicbeforetackinghome.

Andit’skid-friendly:Theycanjoinprogramsforjuniornaturalists,ar-chaeologistsandgardeners,tohuntforwildlife,learnhiddenmeaningsofthelandscapeanddevelopagreenthumb.

Thereareactivitiesforallages.ThelongstandingCreaturesoftheNightprogramonJune19particu-larlyseeksoutnocturnalforagerslike

bats,raccoonsandfireflies,butalsobeaver,fishersandbirds.

TheannualRiverfestcelebrationJune27thefocusesonwaterecol-ogy,thehistoryoftheOttawaRiveranditsimportanceinthecommunity–playedoutbymusicanddrama,oftenlocalfolkmusicians.ThisshowhasbeenaugmentedbythenewExperienceBackpacksevents,withscavengerhuntsandotherfamilyactivities.

ThemuseumisopenWednesdaytoFridayfromnoonto5p.m.,andweekends10a.m.to5p.m.,butvisi-torscanexplorethegroundsevenwhenthemuseumisclosed.Checkitoutatwww.ottawa.ca/museumsanddiscoverOttawa’shiddennaturalgem.«oo

~ Emma Jackson is an Ottawa-area journalist who enjoys hiking, camping and canoeing any chance she can.

Pinhey’s Point Mixing natural treasures and local historyBY EMMA JACKSON

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starthere.goanywhere.

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Definition: Riverbug pron./:bug[buhg]

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3. awhitewatersoloinflatablecraftwithpontoonsandaseatbeltguaranteedtogiveyouatasteoftherapidsyou’venotquiteexperiencebefore.

WelcometothenewspeciesinvadingtheOttawaRiver(andeverywhereelseinCanada)thisspring.Togiveyouthecleardefintiontowhatthisboatingcraftis,here’sthepressrelease:“The Riverbug is a solo inflatable craft, shaped like an easy chair with pontoons. It has a seat belt to help you stay put. You steer it by using flippers and webbed gloves called propulsion gloves. By propelling yourself sideways or backwards, and shifting your weight to take advantage of the current, you can do most manoeuvres and rapids that a canoe or kayak can do. The Riverbug is very light therefore it’s easily portaged and can be checked as luggage on the airlines. Whitewater manoeuvres are easy and it is great for fishing on rivers, for soloing

with a group of canoes or kayaks, for shooting action videos from eddies in the centre of rapids, but most of all because it makes learning to scout and run rivers possible for a group made up of varying skill levels. It also

provides a full body workout.”InventedinNewZealandinearly‘90s,DonAllardice(oneofthepioneersofthesport)

saysthis:“The riverbug is to paddling what snowboards are to alpine.” Youwearawetsuitordrysuitwhenyouriverbugbecauseyou’regoingtogetwet.Youalsowearalifejacket,ahelmet,fins,propulsionglovesandbooties.You’reguaranteed

tohaveagreattime!FormoreinformationgoaheadandcontactTrailheadatwww.trailhead.ca/(613-722-4229).Toseemoreactionvideosgotowww.riverbug.me/.


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Looking to rent a cottage?Renting for June, Sept and October - $1,400/wk

www.cottagesincanada.com/roysretreat

Visit the website to email the

owner to book your relaxing

escape.

Enjoy Roy’s Retreat at Battle Lake - Val-Des-Monts – 35 minutes from Ottawa

Cottage Rental

• Waterfront, 3 bedroom family cottage newly renovated and decorated

• Screened upper porch (12x24) offers beautiful lakefront views and lower deck for sunbathing

• Property has sun from morning until evening, enjoy the beautiful sunsets from the dock

• Private lake with gated boat access, private dock. Lake is annually stocked with Rainbow Trout, Perch and Bass. Fishing Lisence required

• Loons, herons and ducks are frequent visitors to the dock.

• Excellent swimming from dock, no beach.• Take long walks thru the beautiful treed trails• Great for quiet couples, young children not

recommended due to deep water at dock• Beautiful rock gardens to enjoy and outdoor

chimenea for evening fires or toasting wieners or marshmellows (prongs provided)

• 3 bedrooms, 2 w/queen beds, 1 double, newer matress’s, new hotel quality bedding provided

• Flat Screen TV with DVD, VHS, Library of Movies, CD and AM/FM radio, Reading Library

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Owner/TrainerPierre Auge

Do you know these 3 plants?Take the test below and see

Plant #1Thisplanthasthreeleaves,orsome-timesanywherefromfivetonine?

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Plant #3Thisplanthasleavesthatcan

changecoloursseasonallyandmayevenappearyellow-greeninthespring,onygreeninthesummer,andredoryellowintheearlyfall?

Yup.They’reallthesameplant.PoisonIvy.Learntorecognizeit.You’llbegladyoudid.


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GIO E-SCOOTER – $599.00Guess what’s sweeping the country? These battery-powered E-Scooters. If you love biking around the city on the paths then you’ll equally love scooting along as well. It follows the same rules as a regular bike, so no licence is needed, but you must be 16 and wear a helmet. Sure it’s not as healthy for you, but it is a greener way to get around than taking your car (plus no parking fees). Loaded with safety features (horn, signal), limited in speed (24-32km/hr) to keep all safe, and loads of storage for your laptop or schoolbag...you can’t miss. So if you can’t pedal the bike, or don’t want to get too sweaty when you get to where you’re going (like your job), then this is your ticket to ride. Look for it at www.giobikes.com

MEC BIG AGNES SEEDHOUSE TENT– $255.00A “real” tent, with real living space, for the weight of a bivy sack (1.3kg). Thanks to slick new fabrics, the

trail-ready Seedhouse SuperLight weighs an astonishing 1.1kg. Solo travellers, distance

hikers, touring cyclists, and other lightweight fanatics will be right at

home in this tent. Because the floor is ultralight, the optional footprint is

highly recommended for maximum tent life. Look for it at

www.mec.ca

TUNEBUG SHAKE – $119.95This trendy new ultra-portable sound generator enables you to drop the earphones and via bluetooth technology turn your entire helmet into a set of speakers wirelessly. It works for bike, ski and skate helmets, which can be connected to iPods, MP3 players, mobile phones, or any other portable music device wirelessly using Bluetooth technology or by audio cable. When mounted on one of these helmets, the Shake creates a surround sound experience and provides a great solution for bikers, skateboarders and skiers to avoid the danger of being unaware of their surrounding by having earphones in. It has a rechargeable battery with about 5 hours of playtime and charges via the included USB cord. Fill your helmet with surround sound music. Look for it at www.tunebug.com.

SCOSCHE ELECTRONIC ITEMSFor your urban lifestyle, here’s a few cool bluetooth items to keep you charged. First is the solBAT II ($29.99), solar powered backup battery and charger. It’s really cool this just hooks on to your backpack or anywhere and charges you up. If you’re using brining your gadgets camping, this is a must. Second, there’s the Bluetooth headphones ($99) which have 30 feet of wireless range, pure digital quality sound and even allows you to enjoy answer hands free phone calls . Works with a rechargeable battery and provides you with up to eight hours of playtime. Third is the iPhone Key Chain Charger ($19.99) which attaches to your keychain and you can conveniently charge and sync your iPod or iPhone using USB 2.0 for fastest data transfer possible. Look for it at www.scosche.com.

GOBANDIT GPS HD ACTION CAMERA – $399.00Mountain bikers, skiers, windsurfers or skydivers – thanks to gobandit’s GPSHD Camera, athletes and adrenaline

junkies can now not only log their top speeds, but also preserve every meter of their performance in

HD quality. The GPSHD is the first action camera to include GPS technology – a unique

method of integrating sports perfor-mance data into video footage. The new software supplied with the camera enables athletes to edit their footage

simply and quickly into adrenaline-pow-ered documents of sporting achieve-

ments. Look for it at www.gobandit.com

THERMACELL OUTDOOR LANTERN – $32.00The ThermaCELL Outdoor Lantern operates on a single butane cartridge, which heats a mat releasing allethrin, a synthetic copy of a natural insecticide found in pyrethrum flowers, creating a 15 x 15 foot comfort zone. Each repellent mat provides up to four hours of protection and each butane cartridge provides up to 12 hours of operation. Look for it at www.thermacell.com

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EARTHLUST STAINLESS WATER BOTTLES – $18.00Earthlust bottles are more than a replacement for wasteful plastic water bottles. The unique patterns decorating each

bottle with coordinating shell and cap colors, and the limited edition quantities of each design make Earthlust

bottles a fashion commodity and lifestyle statement for each user. Earthlust products can be purchased through the

companyís website and at specialty retailers across the country. Look for it at www.earthlust.com

LIQUID LOGIC SPEEDLOADER THROW BAG – $59.00For close to 20 years, paddlers have used throw bags for safety, lowering boats, and rescue. The Speedloader takes the hassle out of repacking the rope after use. The bottom of the bag is flat so that it will sit upright on a rock or beach and the three-leafed design lets the top open super wide, making it fast and easy to reload. After stuffing the rope back into the bag, simply draw the top string tight, tuck the sides in and snap the compression strap buckle in place to make the bag tight and compact. Look for it at www.liquidlogickayaks.com.

KODAK PLAYSPORT VIDEO CAMERA – $135.96Designed for the active and adrenaline junkies, the Kodak PlaySport Video Camera is rugged, waterproof and compact allowing you to easily capture and share your favourite moments. Whatever your activity the Kodak PlaySport can follow you underwater up to 3m or capture a bumpy bike ride with built-in image stabilization and record it all in full 1080p HD. The Kodak PlaySport also allows you to share your HD videos on FACBOOK, YouTube and TWITTER sites with ease. Built-in software and USB cable make editing, uploading and sending e-mails simple. Look for it at Kodak.ca

DRIFT INNOVATIONS X170 HELMET CAMERA – $219.95Are looking for high quality video without the hefty price tag and

massive system requirements of HD video? Look no further than the Drift Innovations X170 Helmet

Camera. It’s loaded with features that many of its pricier counterparts lack – like an

LCD screen for lining up the perfect shot and an RF remote to shoot shorter clips, saving precious storage space, batteries and edit time. The Drift X170 offers an ingenious 170 degree field of view that captures

your peripheral vision, giving a realistic perspective of speed. When it comes to

features, value, and high quality resolution, the Drift X170 is impossible to beat! Look for it at www.pointofviewcameras.ca

MEN’S ORIGINAL MOUNTAIN PANT - $72.95A little bit country, a little bit rock-n-roll. For the Renaissance Man who lives his life from bike trail to board room, our OMP is the pant for you. Designed for all aspects of the outdoor lifestyle and real-life calls of duty, our OMP is our signature pant and best seller. With a shelf-life that’ll outlast your underwear, OMP’s often go for days at a time without needing a dunk in the wash. That’s what we’re told, anyway. Available in 5 colors to accessorize with your sunglasses. Check ‘em out, you’ll thank us later. Look for it at www.mountainkhakis.com

HIGH PEAK ALPAMAYO 55 MOUNTAIN BACKPACK – $94.00

High Peak Sinnex Sport Alpamayo 55 backpack is a

must-have for the outdoor enthusiast. The camping equipment’s capacity is 3500 cubic inches and

the hiking rucksack incorporates adjustable

back system for a comfortable fit. There’s

an extendable top lid with pocket, a 3-D-

molded foam backing, EVA foam shoulder straps, adjustable

chest and hip belts, and even bellow

and front pockets for your stuff.

Look for it wherever High Peak packs are

sold.

Gorillapod. ($45) Thisutterlyoutstandingand

versatileminitripodwillgripanythingfromacanoegunneltoapinetreewhenyouneedasteadysurfaceforshootingdigitalphotosorvideo.Itfitseasilyintoanypack.

SpyderCube. ($40)

EveryonefromadvancedamateurstoprofessionalphotographerswillwantaSpyderCube.Thistinycube-likegadgetwillensurethatcoloursareperfectlybalanced,notfadedorwashedout.Also,itwillshowyouwherethelightiscomingfrom–evenonadull,cloudyday.

Lightweight monopod. ($45-$85)Ifyoudon’twanttolugarounda

tripodduringanoutdooradventure,atleastcarryanaluminummonopod.Monopodshaveabuilt-incameraattachmentonthetopsoyoucantakeaphotoeveninrelativelowlightwithoutblurringtheimage.Thebestmonopodsalsohaveacontouredhandgripsotheydoubleasawalkingpole.Manfrotto,Velbon,andInduromakesturdyones.

Ensolite pad. ($10)Availablefrom

anyoutdoorstoreforabout$10,anensolitepadisamustwhenshootingflowersorbugsatgrassorknee-level.Simplylaythislightweightpaddownonwetorroughground,andyou’llbeabletoshootcomfortablyforaslongasyouwant.

Camera backpack. ($70-$90) Severalmanufacturersmake

excellentones,includingLowepro,TamracandRoots.Backpackscomeinallsizesandshapes.Getacompactonewithwidecomfortablestraps,durablewater-resistantfabricandprotectivefoamdividers.

Camera bag. ($60-$90) Somepeoplepreferacamera

shoulderbagtoabackpack.Avoidlarge,heavybags.Theygetleftinthecar.Sticktoamedium-sizeonethatwillprotectonecamera,twolensesandseveralgadgets.Tamrac,LoweproandRootsmakeawiderangeofbagswithadjustablefoam-paddedinternaldividersthatwillfitanycamera/lens.

Ultraviolet filter. ($55) Anultravioletfilter

willprotectyourexpensivecameralensfromscratchesandotherdamage.Choosea1Afilter,whichhasaslightpinkishblushthatwill“warm”yourimagesimperceptibly.

Camera strap. ($20-$40) Whydowealways

forgetthisitem?Butagood,comfortablestrap

protectsyourexpensivecamerawhenyoudropit–andthathappenstoallofussometime!Getonewithquickreleasebuckles(foreaseofuse),andextrapadding(forcomfort).

Spotting binoculars. ($60-$90)

Whydoesaphotographerneedbinoculars?Goodquestion.Allbeautifulscenesareactuallymadeupofaseriesofstunningimages.Yourbrainjustputsthemalltogetherinanimperceptible

mosaic.Mostphotographersseeonlythe

single,obviousscene,thenwalkawaynotrealizingthatthereareprobablyfivetotenequallybeautiful picturestuckedintotheonepanorama.

Compactbinocularshelpsinglethoseothershotsoutofthebeautifulclutter.Nikon

andBushnellmakeexcellentbinocularswithmulti-coatedlensesandtexturedpads.

~ Allen Macartney has had photographs exhibited in Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa.

Useful photography gadgetsBY ALLEN MACARTNEY

Photographygadgets.I’vegotlotsofthem.Buthowmanyreally

improvepicturetakingandmakeiteasiertocapturethatperfect

image?Let’slookatninegadgetsthateveryoneshouldown.You’llfind

alltheseproducts(orsimilarones)inlocalcamerastores.


North America’sLargest Dragon Boat Festival

Free AdmissionLive Bands

Non-stop RacingChildren’s Area

JUNE 18 - 20 2010MOONEYS BAY PARK, OTTAWA

Dragon Boating Facts and TermsOriginatedinChinaover2000yearsagoandemergedinmoderntimesas

aninternational“sport”inHongKongin1976.Thedrummer or callermaybeconsideredthe“heartbeat”ofthedragonboat.Goodcallersshouldbeabletosynchronizethedrummingcadencewiththestrokesoftheleadingpairofpaddlers,ratherthantheotherwayaround.Theleadingpairofpaddlers,called “pacers,” “strokes” or “timers,”setthepacefortheteam.Thepaddlerssitfacingforwardsandsynchronizewiththestrokeorpacerontheoppositesideoftheboat.Thedirectionofthedragonboatissetbythesweep,ratherthanbythepaddlers.Thesweep,knownalsoasthesteersmancontrolsthedragonboatwithasweepoarriggedattherearoftheboat.Nowyouknow.


Cyclefit Chicks Cycling ClubThisthree-year-old,women-only

cluboffersasupportsystemforanylevelofroadrider.

“Wewantpeopletonotfeelintimidatedaboutjoiningtheclub,”saysSylvieD’Aoust,itscreator.“This

isaplaceforwomenofanyagetoimproveandgetinshape,havefunandbecomebettercyclists.”

In2009,therewere50members,fromtheirmid-20stomid-60sinthisOttawa-Gatineau-club,whichisaffili-atedwiththeEuro-Sportsbikeshop.

TheChicksclubstartsridinginearlyMay.Mondaynightsarededicatedtotechnicalrideswherecyclistscanlearnaboutridinginagroup,handlinghills,cornering,balance,andevenunclippingfromapedalwithoutfallingover.OnWednesdays,membersareencouragedtojointheWomenonWheelsgroup(seebelow)foraloopintheGatineauParkandonSundays,theChicksclubhasitsowngroupride.

Membershipcosts$100(returningmembersget10percentoff)andincludesafreebutmandatorybasicbikeskillscourseonSundays,May2,9and16,from9a.m.to1p.m..Membershipalsogetsyoutwo,two-hourbikemaintenanceworkshops(May7and21,from6to8p.m.).

D’Aoustsaysavitalpartoftheclubisbeingactivelyinvolvedwiththecommunity.“Eachmemberisaskedvolunteersometimeduringtheseason,”eitherwithChicksorSomersaultPromotions,whichconductslocaltriathlon,duathlonandKidsofSteelraces.Inturn,membersgeta$30discounttowardsthenextyear’smembershipfee.

Women on Wheels BethMansfield,asportnutrition-

istandexercisephysiologistwithPeakPerformance(www.peakperfor-mance.ca),startedWomenonWheels(WOW)withafewfriendswholoved

Women saddling up in confidenceClubs offer gender-aware approaches to cycling, with focus on camaraderieBY SHEILA ASCROFT

Ridingabikeisaseasyas,well,ridingabike,butsomewomenwouldlikemorethanjustwheelsandanopenroad.Theywelcomeskillsinstructionaconfidence-buildingatmosphereandcompanionswhodon’tintimidatethem.IntheNationalCapitalRegion,threegroupsarededicated

towomen’scycling:CycleFitChicksClub,WomenonWheelsandLaroccaXCMountainBikeSchool.

www.ottawaoutdoors.ca34 outdoorsottawa

cycling.Theinfor-malgroupoffemalecyclistssharesapas-sionforcyclingeachWednesdayeveningona42-kilometreloopinGatineauPark.Ridersmeetat6p.m.(May-August)orearlier(SeptemberandOctober)intheGamelinparkinglotinGatineau.“WOWisabouten-

couragingwomentosweatnowandagelater!”saysMansfield.“Lastyearwehadacoregroupof30womenwhoregularlycameouttorideonWednesdaynights.”

Tokeepthegroupsmanageable,thewomenaredividedintothreeorfourpacksofsimilarspeeds.Theav-eragepaceis25km/hourontheflatsand,althoughitslowsdownonthehills,theintensityoftheeffortishigh!

Moreexperiencedridersareex-pectedtohelpnewerorlessexpe-riencedwomencyclistswithpropergroupridingtechniqueandetiquette.“Safetyisthemostimportantthinghere,”Mansfieldsays.

Whilethisisnotaformalclubandhasnofees,allitscyclistsmustcarryasparetireandpumpandbeabletochangeaflat,haveafullwaterbottleandasnackifneeded,andalwayswearahelmet.

Thegrouphasalsoorganizeda“buddiesofwomenonwheels”(BOWOW)groupformalefriendsorpartnerswhowanttoride.ThisgroupleavesGamelinafewminutesbeforethefastestwomen’sgroup.

LaroccaXC Mountain School & Creative Wheel Centre

DominiqueLarocque,asportpsychologyconsultantandretiredworld-classathlete,operatesamountainbikeschoolonher43-hectaretrainingbaseinVal-des-Monts,Que.

Whilehernicheforthe12pastyearshasbeenwomenandchildren,shesaysmoremenareshowinguptoperfecttheirskillsonhersingle-tracktrails.Withwomenandmenridingtogether,“wehavehadincredibleresultscoachingwomentoawholenewleveloffitnessandskills,increasingtheirenjoymentofthesport,”shesays.

Larocquehasseveralnewinstructionalprogramstomeetwomen-onlyandco-eddemand.Theyare:

June Co-ed Training Camps

EachSaturdayandSundayinJune,she

offersthree-hourinstructionalclinicsthatcatertothespecificneedsofherriders.Themorningclassisforbeginners,afternoonsforintermediateridersandeveningsforadvancedcyclists.Participantscanstaythedayandpractice,orjointheclubandgetaccesstothetrailseveryFridaytoSunday,fromJunetoNovember.($65+trailimprovementfeeandinsurance)

The Club – Thursday night women-only rides

ThisOntarioCyclingAssociationaffiliatedclubisco-ed,butoffersaspecialprogramonThursdayeveningsforwomen.Throughtheclubmembership($175),womencanridethetrailsatthe

Centre(FridaytoSunday)andmeetotherlike-mindedwomenwholovecycling.ClubridesinApriltomidMaytakeplaceontheroadandmovetotrailsintheGatineauPark/KanataLakesuntilOctober.Womencanalsojointhekids&youthhigh-performanceridesonWednesdayevening.

Three-hour Group Instruction“Womenconstantlyunderestimate

theirabilities,”Larocquesays.“Mostaresomuchbetterthantheyimagine.”Thiscourse(sevenpersonmax.)willincreaseriders’confidenceandbikeskills.It’sfortotalbeginnersneedingtolearnthebasics,orforintermediateriderswantingtocorrectandfine-tune.Sheasksparticipantstobehonestabouttheirskilllevel.Cost:$146.02perperson.($75+trailimprovementfeeandinsurance)

Private Mountain Bike InstructionIfyouwantmoreone-on-oneat-

tention,shealsohasacustomizedthree-hourinstructioncourse(cost:$146.02).($95/person+trailimprove-mentfeeandinsurance)

Spoke by Spoke (July 26, five-day camp)

ThisisapilotprojectwhereDomi-niquehopestoempoweryounggirlsaged11to14throughcycling.«oo

“WOW is about encouraging women to sweat now and age later!”

Beth Mansfield


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Shelley LeachThe Dumoine Rover ‘in paint’

Shelley’sfutureasanartistseemeddestined.BorninKingstonOntario,shegrewupinamilitaryfamily.Herfatheracareerarmyofficer,hermotheralandscape/militaryartist.ShowingakeeninterestintheartsShelley’smothertaughtherthefundamentalsofpaintingataveryyoungage.BysevenShelleywasaccompanyingCanadianartistsinthefield.

Shelley’sgoalistoseek,experience,andrecordtheuniquecharacteroftheCanadianlandscapethroughartisticimpression.In2008onarecreationaltrip,ShelleybegantocreatethefirstseriesofoilpaintingsdocumentingtheDumoineRiver’sownuniquewildernessqualities.

In2008and2009ShelleytraveledtheupperportionsoftheDumoineRiverfromLacDumoinethroughtoLacLaForge.ThejourneyintoDumoinewasdonevialoggingroads.In2010ShelleywillflyintotheareaonaDeHavillandDHC-2Beaver,thentraveloutbycanoetocontinueherjourneyandseriesofpaintings.Overaperiodofyears,andmethodsofexploration,Shelleyhopestocreateaseriesofpainting’sthatnotonlydocumentbutleavealastinginterpretationoftheDumoineWildernessforallpresentandfuturegenerationstherebygranting“access”toall.Thisisacontinuingseries.The2010expeditiontoDumoineisbeingmadepossibleinpartwithsupportofmaterialresourcesfromTrailheadAdventureSportsandTheCanadianParksandWildernessSociety(CPAWS)throughpublicdisplayofworksproduced.Tolearnmorevisitwww.shelleyleach.com/.

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JessePaynegrowsorganicveg-etablesonborrowedlandincentralOttawa,anoperationcalledTheVegetablePatchwhichhestartedtwoyearsagowhenhewaslaidofffromahightechjob.“IwantedtoworkformyselfandIwantedtoworkoutside,”saysPayne,whogrewupinCarletonPlaceandhonedhisgreenthumbasavolunteerorganicfarmerinNelson,B.C.

TheVegetablePatchbeganafterPayneaskedpeoplelivinginOttawa’scitycentretodonateunusedlandforhimtofarm.Paynewasoverwhelmedbytheresponse.“Ihadover80peopleofferplotsofland,”

hesays.Selectingfiveplotstotallingjustover800squaremetres,Paynesignedcontractswiththeownersaboutwaterusageandpaymentinvegetables.

“I’mstartingaPost-a-Patchop-tiononmywebsitetopromotemorelandsharing,”saysPayne,whowantstocapitalizeonpeople’sgenerositytopromotelow-impact,organiccitylife.Likearideboard,wherepeoplepostoffersandrequestsforrides,Payne’sPost-a-Patchistobeaforumforpeopletoofferandrequestsmallpatchesofland.“Lotsofpeoplewanttogardenbutdon’thavelandtodoso,andlotsofpeoplewithlandwouldratherseeitgrowingvegeta-

blesinsteadofgrass,”saysPayne.Whenthesiteisupandrunning,

Paynewillalsopostthecontractheuseswithlandowners.“Wemadear-rangementsformetooffsetthecostoflandowners’waterbillsiftheyweresubstantiallyhigherbecauseofmywaterusage,butinthetwoyearsI’vebeendoingthis,I’veonlyhadtowateronce,”Paynesays.

He’ssoldatroadsidestandsbefore,butlastyearPayneoperatedaCSAorCommunitySupportedAgricultureCo-oponthelandhewasfarming.Closeto50peopleboughtsharesatthebeginningoftheseasonandreceivedweeklybasketsoffreshvegetablesdeliveredtotheirdoor.

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OperatingaCSAwasachallengeandarewardforPayne,whostillsupplementshisfarmingincomewithsoftwaredevelopment.TheCSAconceptworksbecausethefarmerhasadefiniteincomeupfronttobuyseedsandpreparethesoil,butthere’spressuretodeliverthoseweather-dependentvegetablebasketscus-tomershavealreadypaidfor.

Lastyear’sweatherwas“horrific,”Paynerecalls.“Theseasonstartedoffcoldandrainyandthenitwassuper-hotandmynewseedlingsburnt”andittookfiveweekslongerthanhethoughtitwouldtomakedeliveries.ButtheweatherimprovedsomuchthatPayneextendedtheseasontotheendofOctober,supplementingdeliverieswithsurpriseslikehome-madecrabapplejellyandrecipes.

Paynewantstodoublegardenspacethisyear,andneedsplotsofatleast93squaremetres(1,000squarefeet).Theweeklyprepanddeliveryofallthosebasketsistime-consum-ingforaone-manoperation.“Ihadlotsofgreatvolunteersoutlastyear,”Payneremembersfondly,andhe’slookingfor“extrahandstohelpwithplanting,weedingandharvesting.”

IfyouliveinWestboro, Hintonburg, CentretownandNepeanandwanttoreduceyour100-milediettoafewkilometres,Payneoffersaseason’sdeliveryof16weeklybasketsfor$550,oreightbiweeklybasketsfor$275.Checkwww.vegetablepatch.catofindoutmore.Paynewilladdmorelocationsifenoughpeoplesignup.«oo


The Bulletin Board

GROUP NAME WEBSITE DESCRIPTION

Ottawa Orienteering Club www.ottawaoc.ca We organize and take part in orienteering events in the Ottawa area.

Ottawa Hostel Outdoor Club http://ohoc.ncf.ca A rec club with hiking, cycling, canoeing, skiing, and snowshoeing.

Rideau Trail Association www.rideautrail.org A hiking club dedicated to maintaining the trail from Kingston to Ottawa.

Ottawa Triathlon Club www.ottawatriathlonclub.com A recreational organization dedicated to teaching the enjoyment of tris.

Ottawa Bicycle Club www.ottawabicycleclub.ca Offers a range of cycling programs from novice to expert.

Kanata Mt. Bike Community www.mtbkanata.com We ride our bikes, then do something related to bikes.

Ottawa-Carleton Ultimate Assoc. www.ocua.ca The largest Ultimate (Frisbee) league in the world.

Ottawa Sport and Social Club www.ossc.ca A co-ed, rec sport league, with tourneys and social events for adults.

Ottawa Rowing Club www.ottawarowingclub.com Come see what rowing is like on the picturesque Ottawa River.

Liquid Skills Paddling Centre www.liquidskills.com Programs and clinics, kayak lessons, expeditions and teen camps.

Madawaska Kanu Centre www.owl-mkc.ca Kayak lessons in-city and on-site. Weekend clinics for the whole family.

Ottawa Sailing School www.boattraining.com They offer the highest quality sailing programs and on-the-water adventure.

Somersault Events www.somersault.ca Triathlons, duathlons, and running events for you or the entire family.

The Running Room www.runningroom.com Ottawa’s running and walking club for team fitness.

TriRudy www.trirudy.com Website and resource for duathlons and triathlons.

La RoccaXC Mt.Bike School www.creativewheel.ca Camp for boys and girls, women and men keen to enjoy mountain biking.

Wilderness Tours www.wildernesstours.com In addition to rafting they offer kayak lessons and adventure camps.

Owl Rafting www.owl-mkc.ca Rafting, sea-kayaking, lessons, plus adventure programs.

Esprit Rafting www.espritrafting.com Rafting, canoeing and several training and certification courses.

River Run Rafting www.riverrunners.com Rafting, family trips, kayaking, cabins and more.

Ottawa Rowing Club www.ottawarowingclub.com Come see what rowing is like on the picturesque Ottawa River.

Outdoor Clubs

Ottawa Sports and Social

Club gets (4) premier beach volleyball courts

near Bronson Park for 5 nights of games per

week. Sign up to play at www. o s s c . c a

40 www.ottawaoutdoors.ca

Buy tickets!!!Get in shape!Enter a bunch of Somersault Races!!

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outdoorsottawa

Event CalendarDATE PURSUIT EVENT TITLE EVENT WEBSITE

May 01 Running / Walking Faster than a Pastor www.woodvale.on.ca May 01 Running / Walking Triple A Run/Walk - Ottawa www.runningroom.com May 02 Running / Walking CBI Health Hustle for Hunger - Ottawa www.runningroom.com May 02 Running / Walking Place d’Orleans Half Marathon, 10k, 5k & 1k Runs www.somersault.ca May 02 Running / Walking Wylie Ryan May Day 1km run www.somersault.ca May 04 Orienteering Brittania Park Welcome Meet www.ottawaoc.ca May 08 Running / Walking Innovapost Share the Power of a Wish Walk/Run www.wishpower.innovapost.com May 08 Running / Walking Defi du Printemps www.defi-printemps.org May 09 Running / Walking Kanata to Bank Street 32 Km Training Run www.kanatatobank.com May 09 Orienteering P17 Gatineau Park near Wakefield www.ottawaoc.ca May 09 Inline Skating Marathon Roller de Montréal 2010 www.mtlroller42k.com May 11 Orienteering Vincent Massey Park Beginner Clinic www.ottawaoc.ca May 11 Running / Walking Beaver Chase Running Series www.runottawaclub.com May 15 Running / Walking Colonel By Classic 2010 www.somersault.ca May 15 Running / Walking Kenya Run - Ottawa www.runningroom.com May 15 Running / Walking Wylie Ryan Dow’s Lake 1km Run www.somersault.ca May 16 Orienteering Pinhey’s Point www.ottawaoc.ca May 16 Running / Walking 2010 Rehabili-Thon www.lesrapides.ca May 22 Triathlon / Duathlon Ottawa Early Bird Triathlon www.somersault.ca May 22 Adventure Racing Raid Pulse Adventure Race www.raidpulse.com May 22 Adventure Racing Sunchaser Challenge, Saranac Lake, NY www.sunchaserchallenge.com May 29 Running / Walking 2010 Ottawa Marathon www.ncm.ca May 29 Paddling MEC Paddlefest - Ottawa www.mec.ca May 29 Running / Walking Ottawa Race Weekend www.ncm.ca May 30 Orienteering Timm Road www.ottawaoc.ca May 29 Running / Walking Ottawa Marathon www.runottawa.com May 29 Trail / Ultra Running XTrail Asics Sutton www.xtrailasics.com May 30 Cycling Metropolitan Challenge www.velo.qc.ca Jun 01 Orienteering Vincent Massey Park Summer Solstice #1 www.ottawaoc.ca Jun 04 Cycling Un Tour la Nuit www.velo.qc.ca Jun 05 Running / Walking Ottawa 2010 Spring Sprint www.springsprint.ca Jun 05 Running / Walking Ottawa Spring Sprint - 2010 www.runningroom.com Jun 05 Running / Walking The Weekend to End Breast Cancer - Ottawa www.ot10.endcancer.ca Jun 05 Running / Walking Walk in the Park for Scleroderma 2010 www.runningroom.com Jun 05 Adventure Racing Raid EnduranceAventure.com Fou Raid www.enduranceaventure.com Jun 05 Triathlon / Duathlon Triathlon Mont-Tremblant www.triathlonmonttremblant.com Jun 06 Orienteering Stoney Swamp www.ottawaoc.ca Jun 06 Running / Walking Montreal 2010 Spring Sprint www.springsprint.ca Jun 08 Running / Walking Beaver Chase Running Series www.runottawaclub.com Jun 10 Running / Walking Barrhaven RunBarrhaven Run for Roger’s House www.barrhavenrun.ca Jun 12 Running / Walking Barrhaven Run for Rogers House www.eventsonline.ca Jun 12 Running / Walking Britannia Beach 2010 www.somersault.ca Jun 12 Paddling Ottawa Riverkeeper Canoe Relay www.somersault.ca Jun 12 Triathlon / Duathlon Ottawa Riverkeeper Triathlon, Duathlon & Relays www.somersault.ca Jun 12 Running / Walking Wylie Ryan Quick Kids 2km www.somersault.ca Jun 13 Running / Walking Self-Transcendence 6 & 12Km Race www.ca.srichinmoyraces.org Jun 13 Triathlon / Duathlon Defi Triathlon Optimiste de Lachine www.sportriple.com Jun 15 Orienteering Sportsplex & Pinhey Forest www.ottawaoc.ca Jun 18 Dragonboat Tim Hortons Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival www.dragonboat.net Jun 19 Running / Walking Austin Wylie Aviation Museum 1km for Kids www.somersault.ca Jun 19 Running / Walking Emilie’s Run www.somersault.ca Jun 19 Paddling MEC Paddlefest - Montreal www.mec.ca Jun 19 Adventure Racing Raid Pulse Sprint AR www.raidpulse.com Jun 20 Running / Walking Alterna Do It for Dad www.sportriple.com Jun 20 Cycling Preston Street Criterium www.bikeraceottawa.com Jun 20 Fitness / Health Stroll for Liver www.liver.ca Jun 20 Triathlon / Duathlon Uplands Kids of Steel www.ottawakidstri.ca Jun 25 Adventure Racing Ultimate XC Challenge www.ultimatexc.com Jun 26 Adventure Racing Quest For A Cure www.questforacure.ca Jun 29 Orienteering Lac Beauchamp Summer Soltice Meet #5 www.ottawaoc.ca Jul 03 Triathlon / Duathlon Mike Collingwood Meech Lake Triathlon www.meechlaketri.ca Jul 10 Cycling The Ride to Conquer Cancer - Montreal tinyurl.com/y8wkhzc Jul 13 Running / Walking Beaver Chase Running Series www.runottawaclub.com Jul 17 Urban Racing Mitsubishi City Chase Presented By BlackBerry www.campuschase.ca Jul 17 Triathlon / Duathlon Mooney’s Bay Kids of Steel www.ottawakidstri.ca Jul 17 Cycling Ottawa Bicycle Club Grand Prix www.ottawabicycleclub.ca/grandprix Jul 18 Running / Walking Hintonburg Centennial 5k www.hintonburg.com/run10.html Jul 25 Cycling The Voyageur Route www.CycleCanada.com/Voyageur.htm Jul 25 Cycling The Voyageur Route www.CycleCanada.com/Voyageur.htm Jul 31 Running / Walking National Capital 3km, 5km & 10km Runs www.somersault.ca/eventnationalcapitalrun.htm Jul 31 Triathlon / Duathlon National Capital Triathlon, Duathlon and Relays somersault.ca/eventnationalcapital.htm Jul 31 Running / Walking Wylie Ryan Surf & Turf 50m Swim/500m Run somersault.ca/eventsurfnturf.htm

Outdoor Clubs


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A few words on the green battery-charged E-ScootersInherrecentpressrelease,NCCCEO,MarieLemay’sforward-thinkingcommentsasked,“. . . do we want our National Capital

Region to be bike- and pedestrian-friendly?” ObviouslyforOttawaOutdoorsreaders,theanswerisaresoundingyes!Torontowearenot.Wehaveourwalkingandbikingpathsandwelovethem.Shoulditbetakentothelevelbeingproposedinthedowntowncore,youwillhaveyoursaywhendiscussionsbegin.However,therestofthisarticleisforthepraiseoftechnologyforanothermodeoftransportationtogetyouwhereyou’regoing—theGioElectricScooter.

ThisGIOE-ScooteristheultimatealternativeforOttawacommutersthatneedaquickwaytotravelbutdonotwanttheex-penseofoperatingavehicleormotorcycle.Classifiedasanelectricbicycle(sincepedalscanbeused),youjusthavetothinkofEuropeandothercountriestogetyourheadaroundthefriendlinessandquaintnessoftheseelectricbikesastheyputteralongquietlyonourwonderfulpathways.Youdon’thavetoregisteritandcanoperateitwithoutanydriver’slicence,butyouhavetobe16andmustwearahelmet.

ThesurgeinpopularityincitiesacrossCanadaismostlikelyforavarietyofreasons.Theycomefullyequippedwithsafetyfeatures(signals,horn);they’relimitedtoonly24-32kmperhour;theycantravelupto60kmsonasinglechargeofthebat-tery,andthewebsitewww.giobikes.comregularlyhasthesesellingatauctionforonly$250!FurtherresearchshowedmanyCanadiansstatingthey’regettingtheGioE-Scooterforaround$600shippingincluded,andthereviewsaregreat.

EachE-Scootercomeswithfrontandrearlights,mirrors,andasoftplushcarpetkitforyourfeettoreston(ifthey’renotrestingonthepedals).Aswell,anoversizeseatandtrunkboxallowsforplentyofstor-age(lunch,briefcase,laptop).Itusesakeytostartthebattery,comeswithalock,andevenhaseasyaccessstoragetoplaceyourcellphoneoriPodoranyaccessoriesyoumayhave.

Ifyoulovebikingaroundthecityonthepathsthenyou’llequallylovescootingalongaswell.Sureit’snotashealthyforyou,butitisagreenerwaytogetaroundthantakingyourcar(plusnoparkingfees).Soifyoucan’tpedalthebike,ordon’twanttogettoosweatywhenyougettowhereyou’regoing(likeyourjob),thenthisisyourtickettoride.«oo


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Stay On The Trails

Respect any fences and close gates behind you

BY ALEC BIALSKI

Hikers ascending a trail have priority. This is because climbing is more

difficult that descending and an uninterrupted breathing rhythm is needed when ascending. Step to the side and let the hiker pass, rather than walk along the trail on the grass or moss. This will prevent the destruction of slow-growth plants and creation of ugly “braided” trails.

Be courteous and respectful of other users of trails, includ-ing animals. When in groups avoid loud talk. Remember that bears have a very acute sense of hearing. Speak normally, do not shout. Be one with nature; do not pollute it with too much noise.

Take back with you all your waste, such as hygiene prod-ucts, packaging materials and so on and dispose of them at home or back at the trail head if there are garbage cans.

Do not wash clothes or dishes in lakes and/or streams. You can wash your dishes by taking the water out of the stream; wash the dishes a few metres away from the body of water and dispose of the wash water on the ground away from shore.

Say hello to other hikers on the trail and smile. You share one of the best shows on earth. «oo


How to cycle to work and wear a suit every dayBY JIM CLARKE

Mostofusareawareofwhyweshouldcycletowork,butthe“how”partcanbemoreelusive.HowcanyoubiketoworkandstilllooklikeHarryRosen’sbestcustomer?Hereareafewtipsongettingstarted:

Scoutoutplacesinadvancetolockyourbikeduringworkinghours.Manyprogressivework-placesprovidebikecagesfortheiremployeestoencouragecyclingtowork.Ifyouremployerdoesn’thavealockingfacility,askforone.Ifyougetfiredforasking,itwasn’tagoodplacetoworkanyway.

Findoutifyourworkplacehasshowerfacilities.Ifnot,don’tusethisasanotherlameexcusetoavoidriding.Inmostweather,towelingdownanddeodorantareaneffec-tivecombination.And,haveagoodchatwithyourbodyandsignamutualagreementtoavoidsweat-ing.Besides,mostsweatingoccursonthewayhomewhentempera-turesarehigher–gojumpinyourneighbour’spool.

Findaplacetochangeatworkifyoudon’thaveaclosed-inoffice.Bathroomstallsworkjustfine.Ifyoudohavetheluxuryofaclosed-inoffice,checkoutthevisibilitythatnearbyofficeworkershavewhenyourlightsareon;youdon’twanttoseeyourselftowelingdownontheInternet.

It’sSundaynight,andyou’rewind-ingdownfromafunweekend.DragtheironingboardinfrontoftheTVandironfiveshirts(guys)orfiveout-fits(girls)whileyouwatchAmerica’sFunniestVideos.

OnMonday,takethecarorbustoworkandbringthreesuitsandthe

fiveironedshirts(guys)oryourfiveoutfits(girls)withyou.Thiscanbeabitofahaulifyouarebussing,butlotsofpeopledoit.Alternatively,somepeopletakefreshclothesineachdaybycarefullyrollingthemupintheirsaddlebags–itworksnicelyforsomewomen’soutfitsandmostmen’s“workingcasual”attire.HarryRosenwouldprobablyadviseyoudon’trolluphissuits.

OnMondaynight,packaknapsackoryoursaddlebagswithsevenitems:tie,belt,socks,theeasy-to-forgetunderwear,cellphone,patchkitandbikepump.(Womenwillvarythislistslightlyaccordingtotheirneeds.)Bikingwithabackpackcausesheatbuild-upandsoreshoulders.Saddle-bagsmakecyclingwaymorefun.Thecellphonecanbehandyforcall-ingworkinthemorningorhomeintheeveningifyouhaveaflattire.No,don’tusethisprospectasanotherexcusetogivecyclingapass;carsandbussesgetflattires,too.Besides,studiesshowyou’llonlygetaflatifyoudon’tpackacellphone.

Tuesdaymorningandgoodtimesarehere.Haveagoodbreakfast,putthosebikingshortson,transplantyourimportantpapersfromthebriefcasetopre-packedsaddlebags,andawayyougo.Youarenowontargettoenjoytheexhilarationofwavingatyourcar-boundneigh-boursasyoupassthem.You’retak-ingincopiouscubicmetresofsweetair,workingthosemuscles,andsavingtheenvironment,allinonefellswoop.

Onceyouarriveatwork,resistthetemptationtothrowyourslightlymoistbikingclothesintothecorner.Ihavelearnedtheywon’tdryevenaftereighthourswhenthey’releftinaheap.Makeupandhairchallengesmightexistforwomen,butmywifehasproventimeandagainthatthistoocanbeovercome.Cyclinghel-metsaren’tashardonahairstyleasyouthink,soeveryoneshouldwearone.

Inabouttwoweeks,repeatSteps1-8.Thisassumesyouweareachclothingitemtwice,whichshouldallowyoutoremainsafelyundertheinternationalbodyodourlimit.

Cyclingtoworkcanbedoneeas-ily;lotsofpeopledoit.Butrealisti-cally,itisn’tforeverybody.Somefolkswillbehamstrungbychildanddaycarearrangements,proxim-ityproblems,andpersonalhealthlimitations.Ifyoulivefartherthan25kilometresfromworkandarenotdirectlyrelatedtoHercules,youmaynotwanttorideeveryday.TherearesomehardysoulswhocommutedowntownfromKanataandOrleans,butthere’snoshameinlimitinglongertrekstoFridays,becauseeveryrideisagoodride.

Somepeoplewon’tbeabletobiketoworkforgoodreason.But,don’tavoiditbecauseyou’reafraidtoorganizeyourclothesinadvance.Fillthewaterbottle,slapitonthebikeandgoforit.You’llsoonhaveyourownlistofreasonsforpushingthosepedalsallovertown.«oo


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2010-Spring-OttawaOutdoors

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