Good Sports Bike Tour of Ottawa

Explore the sites, culture and history of Ottawa through the sports people play and love. Discover the passion for physical activity shared by residents over three centuries. Visit the sites of memorable moments and learn the intriguing stories of sporting idols of yesterday and today.

This is your tour to discover more of Ottawa through the unique lens of the sports and games people play and watch.

The Ottawa bike route is flat, relatively easy, with only a few inclines easily managed when riding multi-geared bikes.

You will bike on one of our comfortable, top-quality bikes, or you can opt for an electric bike and set off on your journey to discover beautiful Ottawa.

Starting at the Escape Tours and Rentals shop (65 Sparks Street), complete your safety briefing and bike and helmet fitting.

Roll over to the Stanley Cup monument and hear about the birth of Canada’s favourite game and best known trophy.

Glide down to Confederation Park, site of Ottawa’s first arenas and bone-crunching on-ice battles in the era of the Silver Seven. Learn how Lord Stanley’s daughter Isobel took part in the first organized women’s game — but certainly not the last.

Pull up at Cartier Square, site of early cricket challenges and tennis courts for the leisured class.

Pedal down to the Corktown Bridge for the story of the Rideau Canal, the “World’s Largest Skating Rink” in winter and a magnet for water activities in summer.

Feel the air in your face during the Canal-side ride to Lansdowne Park: historic venue for dozens of sports. Learn how the neighbourhood went crazy for pink during the first Women’s World Hockey Championships.

Pick an easy gear for the climb over the Bank Street Bridge, then coast through leafy Old Ottawa South to a rest stop at the newly-restored Ottawa Tennis and Lawn Bowling Club, where beach volleyball brings in the big crowds now.

Spin through Brewer Park, with its fields, pool and arena, and winter-time speed skating oval, birthplace of Olympians.

Meander through the campus of Carleton University, home to two national basketball dynasties.

Cross the Canal at the Hartwell Locks, as we gear up for a view over Little Italy, hub of the Preston Street Criterium.

Circle back to Lansdowne, for “insider” access to the TD Place Stadium deck, and learn how Ottawa’s “lumber town” history has been revived.

Ride up onto the Flora Footbridge for a view of the surrounding neighbourhoods and the story of “Flora” the active female pioneer.

Stop outside Ottawa’s Sports Hall of Fame for stories of some remarkable athletic families.

End your tour with a ride back to the Escape Tours & Rentals shop. There you can ask your guide more questions that might have come up during the tour and get advice for places to eat and visit.

You can make this tour an electric one. Just select the e-bike as an add-on at the check-out!

We’ll explore the evolution of sport and society over three centuries. There will be hockey talk, and stories from other popular team sports. But we’ll go far deeper, looking at which activities were fashionable with the social elite in the early days of city life and which were played by the working class. We’ll look at what was considered “appropriate” for women: tolerated but rarely encouraged. We’ll learn about pioneers who pushed against boundaries. And we’ll visit the sites of great moments — and some low ones too. Scenes of violence in front of cheering crowds. And places for gentler sport and recreation. What the people of Ottawa choose to play and support tells so much about who we were, are and could become.

For your bike and helmet fitting and safety review, please arrive 20 minutes prior to your tour start time!

Your tour starts and ends at Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals at 65 Sparks St.

Parking: We highly recommend leaving your car at your hotel. Street parking in our neighbourhood is difficult and the meters/time restrictions can be confusing. But if you must drive, here are a few underground parking lots: National Art Centre Parkade (99 Elgin St.), World Exchange Plaza (Metcalfe and Albert entrance), City Hall (110 Laurier Ave W). 

Flexible Booking – Book with confidence! For public tours, you will be fully refunded if you give us 24 hours’ notice before your tour starts.

No refunds for any cancellations within 24 hours prior to the activity start date and time. 

Bad weather? Don’t worry, If your reservation must be cancelled due to the bad weather, you will be fully refunded.

What is your cancellation policy?
You will be fully refunded if you give us 24 hours’ notice. There will be no refunds for any cancellations within 24 hours prior to the activity start date and time. Please inquire about the private tour cancellation policy.

Are there any hills?
Ottawa is a flat city, so most of the ride will be on flat bike paths. There might be a few inclines that can be easily managed when riding our multi-geared quality bikes.

What if there is storm?
Your ride will continue in light snow. 

In case of heavy snow or storm forecast, your trip will be cancelled — the final call will be made two hours before the start time of your tour, and we’ll contact you by phone and email. 

If your tour is cancelled due to the weather, you will be fully refunded or can choose to keep your credit for an alternative date or time.

Is biking in Ottawa safe?  
Almost all of your ride will be on Ottawa’s well-maintained cycle paths. In a few exceptions, we will be riding on backroads in neighbourhoods or crossing streets with traffic lights. As well, we start all our tours with a safety briefing and proper fitting for your bike and safety helmet. 

Riding a bike in winter can be a thrilling experience, but it’s essential to take precautions and be well-prepared. Overall biking in winter could be a little harder. The big tires on the fat bikes help a lot. We have planned safe routes for you to take and will provide gloves and ponchos to keep you warm. We will ride extra cautiously and will always have your safety as our top priority.

Can I bring my own bicycle?
If you have a Fat Bike, yes. Please ensure that your bicycle is in good working condition and you have spare parts (e.g., proper tube size) in case.

Can I bring my kids?
This tour is suitable for adults and families with kids ideally 11 or older.

Have more questions? Visit our detailed FAQs page or contact us!

David Chernushenko (your guide and tour designer) has played, watched, coached and even refereed a variety of sports in Ottawa and around the world. As a journalist in Japan, he covered sumo tournaments and Aussie Rules football. As a grad student in England, he learned to row, and survived Cambridge’s wild “bumps” races.

In his professional career he wrote two books advocating for the “greening” of sport, and illustrating how. He helped Olympic Games organizers and World Cup events adopt more sustainable practices. He continues to play pick-up hockey, skate on the Canal, coach cross-country skiing and cycle into the Gatineau Hills. David will entice and regale you with stories from the distant and very recent past, and show you some hidden gems.