cyberpep

I was wondering if the Cataraqui Trail from Harrowsmith to Smith Falls is suitable to ride on a loaded touring bike. I use 700 x 35 tires and have no problem on crushed gravel but I would just as soon stay off rough gravel especially if it has been used by ATV's.
Maybe someone from the Kingston area knows the trail condition.

Gordon P

I am planning on cycling this route this spring or summer - did you ever find out about the trail conditions?

Gordon

cyberpep

Hi Gordon, I never did get any feedback so I am just planning on riding it some time this spring with my one of my bikes unloaded to check it out. I was trying to fit the trail into a longer loaded tour. I have biked the Waterfront Trail through that area so many times that I was looking for a different route.

andmalc

Here's a web page describing surface conditions on the trail:

https://www.rideau-info.com/cattrail/cycling.html

Haven't done it myself so can't collaborate.

Gordon P

Thanks for the link andmalc, I found that maps 5 & 6 by AdverMap have a lot of the regional trails and they seem to have enough detail to do this route. cyberpep did you have a chance to do this trail? I may include it in my spring tour and I will start in Gatineau, Quebec and eventually end in Kingston.

Gordon

cyberpep

OK so I rode or tried to ride the Cataraqui Trail from Strafcona to Smith Falls with my Cannondale touring bike loaded with my panniers. There was only one section where I was able to ride without fear of breaking something. For the most part the trail is too rough or unridable at all for anything but a mountain or comfort bike. If I was going to ride it again loaded I would use my mountain bike with a trailer. On this trip I ended up using paved roads that follow the trail. With the right bike it would be a wonderful trip with lots of nice spots along the trail to camp with beautiful vistas and some very nice side trips along the Rideau canal system. Didn't know till this trip that you can camp at a lock for $4.90, no shower but washrooms and of course lots of places to swim. Chaffeys Lock was my favorite.

Gordon P

Good to hear that you attempted to ride the trail. My spring tour plans didn’t pan out as I expected but I was able to ride the Ottawa to Merrickville section of the Rideau Canal and I also made use of a lock station to camp. Just curious were there many ATV’s using the trail? Did you take any pictures? oh and how many days did it take?

Gordon

cyberpep

Hi Gordon, sorry I didn't take any photos along the trail. I was too busy watching the trail or swatting deer flies. I saw 2 ATV's and a car on the trail. I'm still not sure how the car got there as the trail had barriers at each end of that section. I normally ride between 100-120km per day so the trail would of been a days ride for me. I started at Desoranto that day and end up staying at Chaffys Lock which was only around 85km. What a beautiful spot to stop, LCBO and resturant both close to the lock.
Happy touring!

crockett

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