A Windy Start

Leaving Smiths Falls after a hearty breakfast, it takes us a while to get to the beginning of the Ottawa River Valley Trail (OVRT). We make an easy mistake, first entering a storage-unit property but soon find our way to the OVRT. The first thing we notice is that a myriad of wildflowers, the dominant ones being daisies and milkweed, surround the trail. The second thing we notice is that the wind is blasting us in an attempt to govern our forward progress. Its only saving grace is that it keeps the feeding insects at bay (until we stop at a sheltered spot, then all bets are off). 

And like many of the trails we have travelled, the OVRT, too, has its fair share of poisonous plants: wild parsnip and poison hemlock line the trail hiding among more harmless species. 

Wetlands surround us for at least the next 10 miles. Cattails abound on either side of the OVRT and the plaintive sound of bull frogs is a fitting accompaniment to the rustle of cattails swaying in the wind. Conical culvert protectors, which mitigate beaver damage, are inserted into many pipes running under the trail between bodies of water. Signs of these large rodents are everywhere.

Leaving the wetlands, young stands of trees and bushes cloister us as we pedal though dappled light. We encounter our first ATV rider who is very respectful, slowing as he passes by. 

Reaching Carlton Place, we take a breather at the old train station that fronts a picnic area and children’s park. We refill our water bottles and snack on pastries we purchased a few hours before. Ted takes photos over the scenic Mississippi River, which is quite different than its U.S. counterpart. 

Beyond the wind, another consistency of our ride is the straight line of the trail. To quote Buzz Lightyear, “To infinity and beyond” is how the OVRT appears to Ted and me leaving Carlton Place.  Passing through more wildflowers, the similar scent of honeysuckle fills the air but I can see no sign of it. 

This section of the trail is more farmland than forest. Fields of fodder dance and gyrate in the wind in synchronized waves back and forth. Associated with many of these fields are dairy farms, which have their own unique, earthy perfume, somewhat lessened by the unrelenting breeze. 

By mid-day we are tired and ready to lunch at Mississippi Mills. Refueling gives us hope and the energy that we will successfully thwart the wind, which continues to push us back. Watching the Mississippi again from a high perch, it is a beauty to behold. 

There is little shade in the middle of the day and we reenter farmland with fields of corn and grasses. A pair of fields of viper’s bugloss (or bluegrass) stands out from the uniform green of its neighbors with its bright blue, bell-shaped flowers and pointy leaves. I’m not sure of its purpose as it is toxic to cattle and horses.

The wind is increasingly effecting us and our progress. Typically on this type of trail we average 12 miles an hour. Now we are lucky to pedal a steady 8.

Adding insult to injury nearing Arnprior, we reach a poorly packed section of trail that adds to our difficulty. Wheels spin and slip in the loose gravel and it is easy to lose balance and take a tumble. Ted, unfortunately, is not able to escape this fate. 

So a little bruised and very tired, we make our way to the MacNamara House B&B when after a hot shower, a good meal, and excellent ice cream, we ready ourselves for the next day on the trail.