marmot

Just wondering if anyone here has ridden the Cycloparc PPJ, the rail trail that starts just outside Quyon and runs though Shawville and out through the Pontiac. I have a tour idea for next spring or summer and I'm wondering how well the trail is kept, if there's any ATV problems, where to camp, get water and food -- that kind of thing. It's part of the Route Verte, so I'm thinking it must be kept in decent shape. Anyone?

starlagurl

I have. Most of it is pretty straight and gravel. It's pretty but it can get monotonous.

There aren't many places to camp, but you could probably plan something with a few of the campgrounds.

Otherwise, it's just farmers fields, who would probably let you park overnight no problem.

There are no ATVs on the trail.

What's your big plan?

marmot

Thanks for the reply, starlagurl.
My idea is to ride either from here in Kanata or my cottage near Almonte, to Fitzroy Provincial Park for the night, then take the ferry over to Quyon, Que., which appears to be very close to the start of the Cycloparc. I have friends with a farm near Shawville, so there's a place I can camp near the trail. I'm a bit vague on the rest of it, although I'm thinking of continuing on to one of the whitewater resorts for a day of rafting or riverboarding and a couple more nights of camping. Then it would be back the same way, or finding another back-road route home through Ontario. I have a dread of heavy or fast automobile traffic, so I want no part of any main highways. Besides, they're borrrring. Not exactly a big plan yet, but the start of one. I've never gone beyond day touring before, so I have some learning to do and some trial runs to try.
Is the Cycloparc surfaced with stone dust? Coarser gravel? Does it drain well? Drinking water at the rest areas? How would you compare it to the Ottawa-Carleton Trailway -- if you've ridden there -- for smoothness and quality of maintenance?
It just looks like a really pleasant way to get to a nice, scenic area, and a pretty gentle introduction to touring.

Gordon P

I rode it a couple of years ago and it was maintained and in ok shape but there was lots of dead fall and the ATV vermin had damaged/vandalised the trail or simply took over the trail in some locations. Now that it is part of the Route Verte it may be in better shape and hopefully the ATV vermin with be off the trail.

Gordon

marmot

Thanks for the reply, Gordon. Sorry I took a while to respond: I had kind of given up on this thread, so I didn't check it for a while. I think I'll put my bike in the van and try a couple of sections to see how the trail is holding up before I commit to an overnight.

simonaway427

I've ridden it from the Pembroke end. Its ok - very soft in the spring, and as others have said, in mediocre shape.

Nothing like the Galloping Goose in Victoria, BC - that's the best trail I've ever ridden.

lilcog

I've done it from Quyon a couple of times. Once in October to Fort Colounge and back (90kms) and then in early summer to Shawville to turn off for Otter Lake. The worst we had was the trail was a little soft for our 23c tires that made for lower speeds. Other than outhouses, there are no services on the trail. You have to go off trail in Shawville or Campbells Bay to stores. Some guy's I know took it from Quyon up to Waltham and crossed over into Pembroke for the night. They came back through Beachburg I think and then crossed back into Quebec at Chenaux and then down through Norway Bay.

marmot

Interesting ideas, lilcog. Thanks for the report. I presume I should give the trail some time to dry out, and bring lots of drinking water when I go.

lilcog

There's lot's of backroads to get from Pembroke back to Chenaux. Look at a local map and find Zion Line. It runs in behind Muskrat Lake. From there, there's a road that brings you to Haley Mines.From Portage on the Quebec side there's a backroad that will take you down through Norway Bay and you'll eventually cross HWY 148 and end up at the start of the PPJ. Very quiet and hardly any traffic. Used it on a ride from Ottawa to Deep River one time. I used to snowmobile on the PPJ so the only thing I keep an eye out for are studs from a track when I'm riding it.One of these in you tire would not be nice.

marmot

This is great stuff. Thanks again.