Where: 13 Old Slys Rd, Smiths Falls, ON K7A 3M3, Canada (map
Description: Shoot the Rapids and Over the Falls – Quick Pace
Distance: 102km
Pace: Quick (25 km/h to 29 km/h)
Terrain: paved roads mostly flat with a few gentle grades
Difficulty Level: Challenging
Bicycle Type, Recommended: road
Start Location: Smiths Falls Curling & Squash Club, 13 Old Sly’s Road, Smiths Falls ON next to Heritage House Museum
Start Time: 9:30
End Location: same as start
Est. End Time: 16:00
You won’t need a barrel to shoot these rapids and go over the falls, just your bicycle. Starting at the Smiths Falls Curling & Squash Club, we’ll travel some well paved and generally flat roads as we go through Franktown (the lilac capital of Ontario and home of the weather radar for our area), Burritt’s Rapids, Merrickville and back to Smiths Falls. We’ll pass by or over no less than five separate locks on the Rideau Canal system so bring your smart phone or camera for some scenic shots. A luncheon stop to refuel is planned for the Lock 17 Bistro (
www.lock17.ca) in Burritt’s Rapids. Sample their craft beer, relax on the patio or picnic under shady trees by the picturesque locks. From there it’s some long, fast, straight stretches back to our original start location. Optional: A small finishing detour (about 3 kilometer round trip) to the local ice cream parlor before departing back home.
Note 1: Bring water/hydration fluids and on-road snacks. A general store in Franktown (at approximately the 25 kilometer mark) will be your only opportunity for a refreshment and/or restroom break until our luncheon destination at approximately the 61 kilometer mark.
Note 2: For the most part, motorized traffic will be moderate to light but fast moving. A 13.5 kilometer stretch on Richmond Road can be busier and here it is recommended to ride in single file only.
Challenging Map
Organizer / Leader: Darrell Wood 1-613-284-2405 or
darrellevanwood@yahoo.ca