Kingston to Ottawa (Part 1)

From AlanMacek.com Photos

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The first day of the trip involved loading everything on to my bicycle and cycling down Yonge Street to Union Station in Toronto. There I dismantled my bicycle (removed the peddles and rotated handlebars) and loaded it into a box for VIA rail. I had rehearsed this so things went smoothly for me but a cyclist who arrived shortly after me, could not get his peddles off and damaged my peddle wrench in the process. I arrived in Kingston in the early afternoon, assembled my bike and cycled downtown from the station.

In Kingston, I had a reservation at the B&B on board the Alexander Henry, a former Coast Guard ship but now part of the Great Lakes Maritime Museum. I cycled around Kingston, including over to the Fort Frederick Museum at the Royal Military College. Around 5pm, I checked in to the B&B and spent the rest of the evening on foot. I walked through the downtown and past Queens University before having dinner. (more photos from Kingston)

Packing my stuff
The Alexander Henry
My bunk on board ship
Kingston City Hall


In the morning, the remains of Hurricane Katrina provided torrential rain and wind. I headed off anyway on my bicycle. My first stop was at the Kingston Mills locks just north of Kingston - it was still raining so I barely slowed down. From there, I continued north, along Highway 11 and 10 to Perth Road. There I branched off the highway onto the Cataraqui Trail. After an exhausting ride along this trail, I had lunch at Chaffey's Locks as the rain finally ended. From there, I headed north to Crosby and then west to Westport, arriving at 4:30 (~80 km, see route). After a shower and nap at the Toybox B&B, I walked into Westport for dinner. (more photos from Westport)

The Cataraqui Trail
View from the Toybox B&B
Westport and Upper Rideau Lake


After a delightful breakfast in the sunshine, I cycled back toward Crosby and then north along Highway 14 to the locks at the Narrows. After watching a few boats go through, I continued along Highway 14 and then Highway 21 to Rideau Ferry for lunch and again crossed over the canal system. I had a run-in with a snapping turtle that I attempted to move off the highway.

From Rideau Ferry, I headed directly east, bypassing Smiths Falls along the back roads. I cut north through Kilmarnock Island, one of my favourite parts of my trip, then into Merrickville for the night (~90 km, see route). Since my B&B was about 1km out of town, after a shower and nap, I cycled back into town for dinner and to enjoy the sunset.

The Narrows lock
Snapping Turtle
Cycling
Church at Wolford Chapel


Merrickville has been named the 'prettiest village' in Ontario. My opinion is that it is a fake town - almost all it has are restaurants, antique stores and jam stores. It has a lovely park beside the canal though. (more photos from Merrickville)

Merrickville Lock
A 'shoppe'
Lock winch
Sunset


Continue to Part 2