Yes, definitely a compliment. :-D We absolutely love visiting Canada, always looking for another trade there that sounds interesting.

I am off to Ottawa for a week on a home exchange in a couple of days and really appreciated the trip report. I have been to Canada many times even before getting involved in house trades. I have been to all the lower provinces if you include a plane stop in the Winnipeg airport when I was 16. LOL.

well then thank u annetti. enjoy ur time in toronto. in what district is ur exchange?
cheers
andrew

yentakvetch, i think u will enjoy ur time there. it's a great city. i'm looking forward to seeing some of the canada day festivities on the cbc before heading out for our own here

cheers

I'll be in Ottawa the last week of July, and am interested in the bixi bike rental. Any good, scenic routes you'd recommend? Somewhere away from road traffics? I'll be staying at the Fairmont Chateau.

Thanks

Also, do I need to wear a helmet or bring one from home?

if u want a helmet , u need to bring it from home. there r routes @ the bike station. on weekends street traffic was not particularly busy. there is a bike/ walking pathway along the river and a bike/ walking lane on the bridge near the chateau laurier over to the museum of civilization in hull/ gatineau.

enjoy
AndrewDavid

In Ontario, helmets are compulsory only for persons under 18 years.

»»The Ontario helmet law came into effect from 1st October 1995. Although originally intended to apply to all ages, it was amended by regulation before enactment to exempt adults (18 years of age and over). The penalty for failing to wear a helmet is CAD 105 and applied directly to 16/17 year-olds and to the parents of those under 16.««

ron, i don't understand why anyone would risk head injury by riding w/o a helmet. i've been in 3 accidents and while my helmet didn't protect my broken elbows, i'm still glad i had ir on!

AD

AndrewDavid: If people saw the traumatic brain injuries that can occur from injuries on skateboards and bikes, they would be more willing to use a helmet. It is serious stuff. People become brain dead, limited mental function and lots of other unpleasant stuff.

BTW, AndrewDavid, to answer your question we will be staying in North Toronto. I need to start reading, so I can start asking questions about what to do off the beaten track in TO.

<<I'll be in Ottawa the last week of July, and am interested in the bixi bike rental. Any good, scenic routes you'd recommend? Somewhere away from road traffics? I'll be staying at the Fairmont Chateau.>>

There are many great scenic routes in Ottawa which don't involve road traffic and a number that are easily accessible from the Chateau Laurier.

You can cycle up one side of the Rideau Canal to the Hog`s Back Falls and either come back the other side or follow a path along the Rideau River to Rideau Falls where it empties into the Ottawa.

There are also paths along both sides of the Ottawa River--head west from the Rideau Canal as far as the Champlain Bridge and cross over to Gatineau, returning along the river and returning by the Alexandra Bridge.

Here`s a couple of great sources on cycling in the Ottawa area:

http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/bins...99-9970&lang=1

http://cycle.ottawacitizen.com/

Thanks, all, for the helpful responses.

Where can I rent a bike, somewhere near the Fairmont hotel? How much does it cost per day, and any quick explanation on how the system works?

I also hear that some Fairmont hotels (not sure this one)give guests free mountain bikes. Let me check with them.

Thanks again!

I just returned from my trip to Ottawa and enjoyed the Museum of Civilization, War Museum, Art Gallery (especially the "Caravaggio and Friends" exhibit) and Rideau Hall. We also ate a beaver tail pastry outside the Byward Market and saw where Obama ate his maple leaf sugar cookie. One day we took a tour of Parliament after watching the Changing of the Guard. Out of Ottawa, we visited the Diefenbunker and went whitewater rafting on the Ottawa River with River Rafters (there are lots of outfitters and I did not comparison shop, so don't ask me about the others).

We liked everything we saw. The museums were really terrific. It was easy to drive everywhere and there is plenty of parking in the evening. During the day, we just put the car in a lot.

And, yes, we did take a 2 hour boat cruise with Paul's on the Ottawa River in downtown Ottawa and had a look at the staircase locks on the Ottawa canal.

Could have used a few more days. We had 6 days and did not let grass go under our feet.

There are bike rentals available very close to the Chateau Laurier--just ask at the desk. An all day bike rental will be cheaper from one of these places than using the Bixi bike for other than a few hours.

I did notice the bikes. They are all over now and I hope the programs succeed and do not end in the trashing and stealing of the bikes. It is a good idea, but it does depend on people's honesty.

i don't believe u can get a bixi bike w/o using a credit card. so, unless thieves already have a stolen credit card i don't see the opportunity for much theft. i don't know what the theft stats, if any, r for montreal which has had the system longer.

they r bright red, quite attractive and would make nice decoration :-).....

cheers
AndrewDavid

glad u had a good visit yentakvetch!