The answer, I learned on an entertaining outing with Maria Rasouli of Escape Bicycle Tours, is a section of the Sentier des Voyageurs recreational path on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River.

I joined Maria and Hollie Grace, a fellow writer and cyclist, at the free parking lot just east of the Champlain Bridge on the Ottawa side. Even though I have my own bike, it’s heavy and old, so I was curious to see what sort of bike Maria would provide (all of her escorted tours include all equipment, from bikes to helmets, with a small discount if you bring your own wheels).

A lightweight bike

I wasn’t disappointed. Compared to my clunky “city errands” bike, laden down with panniers, fenders and a basket, the aluminum-framed bicycle Maria lent me was light as air. Since she was carrying our snacks, all I needed was a water bottle and a light backpack (mainly full of camera gear). I felt free and agile.