Voyageur Route

Join us for a week-long cycling tour from Ottawa to Québec City.

Five days of cycling with six nights of accommodation

Voyageur Route is a one week supported bicycle tour where cyclists ride from Ottawa to Québec City via Montréal. Accommodation for this tour is indoors.

Cyclists leave from the national capital and follow the Ottawa River towards Montréal. From Montréal we travel to Québec City along side the Richelieu and St. Lawrence Rivers. The gentle pace of this ride allows ample time to enjoy local attractions, or take side trips. Evenings will be a time to socialize. Breakfasts are provided by local hosts or in local restaurants. We'll make suggestions for dinner at locations near where you stay.

Meet in Ottawa the night before the first day's ride

Riders for Cycle Canada's Voyageur Route meet in downtown Ottawa, Canada's capital city. We encourage riders to arrive early so they can explore this city.

There will be an orientation session in the evening before the ride. Our route leaving Ottawa on the first day takes us past Embassies, the Governor-General's residence and the Prime Minister's residence.

We follow the Ottawa River to our first night's stay in Hawkesbury. From here we head towards Montréal.

Sideroads, paths and country lanes

From Montréal our tour heads south to the Richelieu River and then follows the Richelieu until it joins the St. Lawrence at Sorel. We will track the edge of a geologically ancient escarpment through small villages most of the way to Trois-Rivières and then follow the St. Lawrence into Québec City.

Our journey has great cycling and our destination is Québec City

In Québec City there is a reception to celebrate your accomplishments.. Québec City is known as the cradle of French civilization in North America and celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2008.

Included in your Voyageur Route Package:

On the Voyageur route we stay indoors at motels, bed and breakfasts and inns. Accommodation on the Voyageur Route is double occupancy. There is an optional single supplement or we will try to match you up with a rider of the same gender.

Breakfasts are provided by local hosts or in local restaurants and we have a group dinner at a historic country inn. We'll make suggestions for dinnner at other locations near where you stay.

We encourage participants to stay an extra day at the beginning or end of their ride. There's lots to see in Ottawa and Québec City. Ottawa is very bike-friendly. Most attractions, such as the Parliament Buildings, the lively open-air Byward Market, Museums and Galleries museums and galleries are close to downtown.

Pre-Trip

• Trip preparation guide, including training trips, route and routine overview.
• Trip orientation on evening before first riding day of event.

Meals and Accommodation

• Pre-booked accommodation. Indoor accommodation at hotels, motels and inns.
• Double accommodation. Single available as a supplemental cost.
• Support staff to drive support vehicle, deliver luggage.
• Breakfasts on riding days in restaurants or where you stay, one dinner.
• Fruit and snacks will be available to take with you on riding days.
• Farewell reception in Quebec City at the end of the ride.

Route Support

• Daily maps and route instructions. Head office toll free telephone and Skype assistance.
• Luggage service to overnight stays.
• CycleCanada water bottle.
• Support vehicle to carry your gear.
• Full tool kit and work stand on support vehicle.
• Optional return service of your bicycle to Ottawa.

A note about returning from Qu�bec City to Ottawa: People come from different parts of the world to participate in the Voyageur Route. Many will fly into Ottawa and fly out of Quebec City. For those returning to Ottawa there is bus service or one way car rentals. We will provide contact information to riders closer to the date so they may co-ordinate this return. We can offer bike transportation for a fee, subject to minimum and maximum numbers

Join us for the Voyageur Route bicycle tour

We are pleased to announce our dates and fees for 2013.

Please check availability on our tours before registering.

• Ottawa, Ontario to Québec City
• Dates: July 7 to July 12, 2013
• Fee: $975.00
• Single Supplement: $325.00
• Option for transportation of bicycle from Québec City to Ottawa on day after final riding day. We'll provide information on car-pooling or other forms of passenger transportation methods.
• Deposit: $250.00

Fees are per person in Canadian funds
Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is in addition to above fees.
A discount on this tax applies to non-residents of Canada. We recommend that you obtain travel, medical and personal insurance. Please read our policy statement for Cycle Canada events: Policies

You'll find information on other great cycling tours in Canada here: Cycle Canada Events.

What to Bring on The Voyageur Route:

A Bike and Enthusiasm

• A bike in good working order, a flexible attitude and enthusiasm!
• The Voyageur Route is planned for paved roads and paths but some unpaved sections are unavoidable, especially through construction projects — we recommend a road (touring) bike.
• Don't forget an on-the-road tool kit – just in case you have a flat or other minor mechanical problem.
• A helmet, water bottles, sunscreen and a rain shell in case of inclement weather.

Personal Items

• Cash for meals and munchie stops (breakfast and snacks are included in package).
• Personal items such as camera, identification, cycling and aprés cycling clothes

Luggage and Bike Boxes

Travelling light is a good plan

Cycle Canada has no official limit on transporting your daily luggage. Our staff will assist where possible with delivery of luggage to your overnight room. In the mornings we ask that participants bring their bags to the lobby or support vehicle. So, keep in mind that you may need to carry your bag at times and they are loaded into a limited space in our support vehicle.

One area where we do have constraints is taking hard shell bike cases. Some soft shelled bike cases that don't present a problem. We generally can transport Bike Friday Cases. If you need to bring a bike case please let us know, we'll assist with advice so you can make arrangements.

If you have special logistical issues, such as travelling from overseas, please let us know. We'll do what we can to help.

Renting Bikes

Most participants on our rides bring their own bikes. But travelling with bikes can be complicated. Please let us know if you wish to rent a bike and we will provide suggestions on rental companies.

Proudly Canadian

Cycle Canada, The Veloforce Corporation is a Canadian company that organizes cycling activities. It is owned by Bud & Margot Jorgensen. Bud is a long-time recreational cyclist and founder of Tour du Canada. Our operations are located in Alliston, Ontario, just north of Toronto.

We have been organizing affordable supported cycling expeditions and vacations throughout Canada since 1987.

Cycling in Canada

We believe that Canada is the best place in the world to go for a bike ride.

Our primary focus is to offer an enjoyable cycling experience. We encourage participants in our events to ride at their own pace and to join us with the goal of completing their tour by bicycle. We believe they will enjoy a cycling trip more in groups where they get to know other riders and share the pleasure of travelling as cycle tourists.

Read more about the management of Cycle Canada here: About Us.

Our Pledge to You

Participants in our events have a right to expect that Cycle Canada, as organizers, and its staff will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that riders complete their ride and are enriched by the cycling experience. We hope that each rider will find companionship in, and be tolerant of other members of the group and help to make the trip a memorable and positive experience for all riders.