Ottawa - Rideau Canal Locks 1-8 and Gatineau, Quebec bike ride

Today we decide to try to park a bit closer to downtown Ottawa so we find a street about a 15 minute bike ride from downtown. It's right beside the TD Stadium where the Ottawa Red Blacks are playing the Edmonton Elks tomorrow night. 

Unesco World Heritage Site 

We bike the Rideau Canal trail to the Rideau Canal's Locks 1-8, a series of eight large, manual locks in the heart of Ottawa that connect the Ottawa River to the canal. Built in the early 19th century, these locks raise and lower boats 24 meters (79 feet) and are considered an engineering marvel. 

Locks 1-8 from above

Locks 1-8 from below

Views from above and below the locks. Really very spectacular. 

Welcome to Quebec :)

We continue along the water front and cross the Portage Bridge into Gatineau, Quebec. 

The Voyageurs Trail in Quebec - Leamy Lake

Before we know it we are on the Voyageurs Trail running along the Ottawa River offering views across to the Parliament Grounds. The trail follows a historic route of First Nations peoples and explorers along the Ottawa River. We eventually come to and cycle around Leamy Lake. 

Bridge over a canal into Leamy Lake

You know your are in Quebec when ARRET signs

We eventually cross back over to Ottawa via the Alexandra Bridge. There are paved bike path lanes and a wooden board walk for pedestrians. 

Maman the giant spider sculpture

Back in Ontario we come across the great spider sculpture located on the plaza of the National Gallery of Canada. It is a giant, bronze and stainless steel sculpture named "Maman" This museum is on our list to see, but it's too late in the day today. 

Notre Dame Basilica

Across the street is the Notre Dame Basilica. This impressive church is the oldest church in the city. 

Inside the Basilica

ByWard Market

Our final stop for the day is at the ByWard market. It's a buzzing hub of outdoors farmer's market stalls and all sorts of specialty food shops. It's a colorful street filled with crafts and clothes by local designers. We walk about but are actually nervous to leave our bikes as we have heard it's a hot spot for theft. 

Colorful streets of ByWard Market

To be honest we have biked about 32km in the heat and are ready to get back to our truck. We opt to head back to the RV for a nice supper and chill evening on the Rideau Canal.