About last weekend…
It has been just shy of a week since I stopped pedaling in Almonte, Ontario, at the terminus of my 805km voyage on the Log Drivers Waltz bikepacking route. I arrived at 5:50 am, sleepy after a 26 hour final push of 330km through the night - happy to be back in town, but sad to be ending an epic trail, and a fabulous few days spent in the Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec landscape. It was a journey I am in need of several days, if not weeks to reflect upon.
I had joined in the Grand Depart out of Almonte on Sat. July 29… along with about 65 or so anxious and excited riders, many friends from previous adventures, and many new friends, joined in the excitement of what lay ahead of us. It is always the unknown that causes the butterflies and nervous energy to rise. After a few words of send off from our route founders Jen and Eric, we were off on a neutral rollout. Stopping again at the Town Hall, we regathered for the official start. Off the bat my Tracker was spotty and my Wahoo was not kicking in. The Wahoo finally showed me the route and settled down, but my Tracker remained a problem for the duration. Once we were rolling, everything settled into the rhythm of the trail. I had packed enough supply for the first 130km leg to Sharbot lake, save a bit of water refill which I generally pull trailside and purify if needed.
The rain had started midday, and I found myself putting on my shell, then off, then on, then off, and finally on as the temperature had dropped and I was soaked. I arrived in Sharbot Lake, grabbed sandwiches and water at the grocery, and was very happily joined by my friend Bastien. We set off together into the rainy afternoon- I assured him he was faster, and I didnt want to hold him back, but was truly pleased that he was happy to ride and chat for awhile. I needed the boost…
We rode into the infamous water crossing at the 160km mark - probably my favourite moment - and I removed my shoes and socks, hiked up my bike, and slogged through. It was long and thigh deep but felt amazing on my tired legs!! Total spa experience 😂…
We rode on quietly for the afternoon, enjoying the route, into the evening. I stopped for a pause and let Bastien join three riders we came upon, and they rode off down trail. I followed shortly after, and remained solo until the night when I came upon Jeff, and then Eric, and then the group of four who had stopped to camp for the night. Eric and Jeff stopped also, so I said a quick hello to Bastien and Daniel (also Singlespeed ) and decided I would ride a little longer.
I rode on until I hit 250 km and could go no further that night. It was midnight and I lay down trailside for a nap in my bivy. I slept soundly, rising at 4am to get back on trail. I need my sleep - I often feel I should press on, but gone are the days when I could function well past a 24 hour push - and we had a long way to go. I opted to sleep helmet on as I had heard others suggest, and it was a game changer for naps!! So comfy and provided excellent neck allignment after a long day of riding 😂
An early morning arrival in Calabogie before the shop opened - readjustment of gear, empty garbage, then on to more beautiful roads , trails, and many, many, many climbs, into the town Of Renfrew. Here I popped into a Tim Hortons for coffee, breakfast, and trail fuel. I was running singlespeed at 32x18 gearing;a stout gear for my little elgs, so the climb effect was piling up on me, but I felt renewed after breakfast and pressed on into the sunny morning. The rolling hills and trails continued this day until the evening as I watched storm clouds gather around me. It was not supposed to rain, but this changed quickly once I hit the Veloroute des Draveurs, and the winds picked up pushing in heavy rain and thunderstorms. I took shelter in a wooden, and very tidy!, outhouse on the trail. I hunkered down and listened to the thunder roll, and the rain pour down, and was happy in my decision to wait it out. I made a plan to get a good rest, and then try to press on for the final big leg in the AM.
I was stopped for 7 hours of blissful outhouse rest! Up at 3am, slowly repacked, drank, ate some snacks, and rolled away from my shelter into the dark fog. Rain had stopped, and the day quickly broke with a beautiful sunrise. The smaller details of this day are still surfacing, perhaps too many to write here, but I can recall the simple passing of miles, beautiful vistas, gut busting climb after climb, and the rhythmic flow, of the route, or waltz as it were…A refill at Lac St Marie, the relentless grinding around, up, and over Mont St Marie; being chased by a very angry dog up the paved climb out of Denholm (and subsequent full on crying breakdown once I was in the clear and knew the dog had left - I had steered him into traffic - you never know where adrenaline can take you, or where the strength comes from to sprint up a 13% grade on seriously tired legs…😳)
Popping down into Lascelles, I had the most pleasant experience at the La Peche General Store - great store, delicious sandwiches, chocolate milk and chips - I refuelled and moved on…into another downpour. I knew it would be quick and heavy so I snuck under some shrubs and waited for its passing…valley weather 🙄
Rolling up and down, and along the Gatineau River area, I cruised into Wakefield at mid afternoon. I swear I could definitely move here in a heartbeat - beautiful town right on the edge of Gatineau Parc. A quick map change, and I entered the Parc for a serious romp through the forest! We were in here for about 80km, popping out to civilization a couple times, then back in for more trail, double and singletrack, around and around, up and down. Such a huge Parc - beautiful and brutal. My energy was waning but I knew I wanted to push through to the end, so I continued through the park as the Supermoon rose above me, and the trail snaked on.
Heading out of the park, the lights of Ottawa struck, and I knew the end of the route was within reach. Riding through the city at night was amazing!! I had a structural light exhibit all to myself at the National Gallery, as I rode through and around on Ottawa’s many bike paths. This city has great cycling infrastructure- a real joy to ride and see the city and all the historical buildings - perfect for night riding. Leaving Ottawa proper, I suffered a few sleep monsters that kept me on my toes as I cruised my way on smooth trails toward the finish. The final 40 km push was frequently a struggle to stay focused, but then in the final 20km, as morning was rising, and I turned on to beautiful rolling farmlands, energy renewed and excitement grew for the return home.
Rolling into Almonte again as the sun had risen on Tuesday AM, I slid to a halt and turned off my computer. I found James Naismith’s statue and took the requisite selfie - no one around to pose for so the photo isn't grand, but nonetheless…Back on the bike, I rode to my car, took off my helmet, and immediately dropped into a pile of sobbing, exhausted, goo, as I had completed my journey and could rest. What an epic weekend!!
The Log Drivers Waltz is an amazing route, or dance, through some of the best landscape Eastern Ontario and Quebec have to offer - a huge kudos to everyone who takes on this trail, and many thanks to Jen and Eric for providing us this gift! We are so fortunate to have this experience.
At trails end I was 69 hours 50 mins; a new FKT for Womens Singlespeed, and can now join the riders before me in telling my story of the trail, and all that it has taught me about myself and others around me. Each event shows me a little more - the good, bad, and downright ugly - and this is how we grow and evolve - through our experiences. Thank you LDW for providing me this story. 🚲💕
Photo cred @bastienjean
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