Issue #13 - Ottawa Outdoors Magazine by Ottawa Outdoors Magazine

YOUR GUIDE TO THE LOCAL OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SCENE

Canoeing Algonquin Park

WAYS TO PREVENT FIRST-TIME PADDLING TROUBLES

TRAIL RUNNING CANOEING HEAVY WATER IN-LINE SKATING OTTAWA PATHS MT. BIKING KANATA LAKES TRAIL FISHING 101

SPRING/SUMMER 06 www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

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MT. BIKING KANATA LAKES TRAILS PG 14

FEATURES Eight 5 CAMPING: essential knots

MUD, SWEAT AND GEARS HOW TO BIKE THROUGH THE HEAVY STUFF

Paddling tandem kayaks

Canoeing Algonquin Park: 7 ways to prevent first-time paddling troubles

Healthy Lifestyles Show review

Trail running core training tips

38 42

Fishing 101

COMPLETE RACE LISTINGS

CANOEING THROUGH THE TURBULENCE

COLUMNS

PG 3

HOW OTTAWA FEEDS THE IN-LINE FLAME PG 8

COVER PHOTO

Family paddling in Algonquin Park. (Henry Georgi – www.henrygeorgi.com.)

PG 20

Golf tips to improve your game

PG 13

2 Publisher’s letter 7 The Book Nook 20 Cool Gear section 30 Health & Fitness 36 Urban Spice 44 Camping tips 50 The Green Pages 52 The Last Biscuit

COOL SPRING GEAR

WE’RE FIVE YEARS OLD! This issue marks the beginning of our fifth year as the main resource for the outdoor adventure scene in Ottawa and Gatineau. Ottawa Outdoors Magazine has grown substantially from its humble beginnings when we were just getting our head around what to call ourselves and how to serve our advertisers and you, our readers. Dave Brown Today, we have two editors, two designers, more than Publisher a dozen photographers, and a pool of about 60 local writers Editor-in-chief contributing to each and every issue. It’s truly a collaborative effort, and we’re elated to bring you the most recent articles on the local outdoor adventure scene. This spring marks yet another big development. Not only are we launching an improved website with tonnes of articles and information on the local outdoor scene, but we now have a new regular eMagazine version e-mailed free to thousands of outdoor enthusiasts (that’s you) with heaps of great useful information. Here’s a partial list of what this will include: regular articles about destination adventures for your hike, bike or paddle outing; outdoor camping tips; recipes; colour photographs of big events past and coming up; advanced notice when local retailers are having sales on gear you’re looking to purchase; profiles of the outdoor clubs in our region; skill tips, contests and lots more. We’re certain you’ll find this regular eMagazine a great break to your work days, and it’ll give you some ideas about what to do with the approaching weekends ahead. If you haven’t logged onto our website, do so and plug in your e-mail address so you can receive this new service. As for this Spring/Summer issue … it’s packed full of articles written by you for you. We introduce you to in-line skating tips, trail running, fishing and a handy collection of what-not-to-dos when canoe-camping in Algonquin Park. Enjoy this issue, and thanks, thanks, thanks for the first five years. We look forward to bringing you much more in the next five.

PUBLISHER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dave Brown MANAGING EDITOR Allen Macartney EDITOR Roger Bird DESIGN AND LAYOUT Terry Terrade, Dave Brown GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATORS Keith Milne, William Jessup CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

John Winters, Kevin Callan, Brad Snider, Dominique Larocque, Eric Bourbonniere, Ken Whiting, Alex Matthews, Chantal Macartney, Jessica Chan, Jo-Anne Mary Benson, Colin Peden, John Klich, Julie St. Jean, Tim Allard, Dale Pedersen, Mark Peterson, John Howison

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Julie St. Jean, National Capital Commission, Ottawa Mountain Bike Association (OMBA) Riders, Henry Georgi, Kevin Callan, Heliconia Press, Ottawa Inline Skating Club, Tim Allard, Rocky Mountain Bicycles, Robert Faubert, Henry Georgi, 5peaks Trail Running Series

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES

Dave Brown Ottawa Outdoors Magazine is an independent publication published seasonally every four months. E-mail: Advertising@OttawaOutdoors.ca Tel: 613-860-8687 / 888-228-2918 Fax: 613-860-8687

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Send your subscription info and cheque to the address below or visit www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

Happy trails.

Ottawa Outdoors Magazine 2706 Alta Vista Drive, Suite #107 Ottawa, ON K1V 7T4 Tel: 613-860-8687 Fax: 613-860-8687 E-mail: Info@OttawaOutdoors.ca Internet: www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

CONTRIBUTORS

John Howison’s favourite outdoor activities are downhill skiing and camping, and during the summer working as a tree planter. As a student at Queen’s University he contributed to the Queen’s Journal. In this issue he writes on spring camping tips for OOM.

Eric Bourbonniere is an avid cyclist who enjoys downhilling as much as crosscountry rides. He is an OMBA representative for Gatineau Park, and has been riding and maintaining trails in Kanata Lakes since 1998 and more recently at Camp Fortune’s Skyline (downhill) trails.

Brad Snider has been an avid recreational ice skater his whole life, and an in-line skater since the early ‘90s. Getting away from his government desk, he has raced in the Ottawa, Buffalo to Niagara Falls, New York, and Berlin in-line skate Marathons. He has been a member of the Ottawa Inline Skate club since 2001. He thinks skiing is also fun.

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Colin Peden, who has a B.Sc. in human kinetics from the University of Ottawa, is the general manager of Executive Fitness Leaders Inc. Reach him at www.fitnessleaders.com.

CONTRIBUTIONS

Ottawa Outdoors Magazine welcomes story and photo contributions. All photos should ideally be shot with colour slides or high resolution digital camera, but otherwise scanned at 300dpi resolution and burned onto a CD-ROM or e-mailed. No unsolicited contributions will be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Publisher assumes no responsibility for return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or artwork. Publisher may publish any and all communications with Ottawa Outdoors Magazine, and may edit for clarity and style. CANADIAN POSTMASTER: Return undeliverable covers to 2706 Alta Vista Drive, Suite #107, Ottawa, ON, Canada, K1V 7T4. Return postage guaranteed. Indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index ISSN No. 1204-69556. © Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any materials published in Ottawa Outdoors Magazine is expressly forbidden without consent of the publisher unless otherwise agreed between partners. Printed in Canada.

ARE YOU

an outdoor enthusiast who would like to contribute articles or photos? We’re game if you are! Editor@OttawaOutdoors.ca

Techniques and tips for the big blow Heavy-weather paddling BY JOHN WINTERS

THE CRUNCH

Waves affect paddlers according to their length (distance from crest to crest) and their height (distance from trough to crest) relative to the length and speed of our boats. When your speed is moderate and waves are long, the boat can follow the wave surface without additional resistance. But, when wavelength and boat length begin to coincide, things get serious. That’s when the boat refuses to follow the wave surface or cut cleanly through them. Instead, the boat rises over the crest of one wave and crashes into the next. The resulting spray, noise, and waves radiating away from the boat are energy lost. In the worst case, you can come to a complete halt. The natural reaction is to use a bigger hammer and paddle harder, but it’s usually a mistake. There are three easier and more efficient methods to combat head seas. Two of them alter the period of encounter either by slowing down enough so the bow can rise and fall in

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time with the waves, or by changing course to hit the waves at an angle. Both increase the apparent wavelength and permit slow, but uniform, progress. Paddling harder will simply wear you out. Meeting waves at an angle does have a drawback. Any angle to the headwind increases air drag and leeway. The net effect is to reduce your progress directly to windward – the worst possible angle is at 30 degrees to the wind. A third method is to change the boat’s natural pitching period. When weight is spread out over the boat’s length (high moment of inertia) the natural period is long, which is advantageous in short, small waves. Conversely, when weight is concentrated near the middle (low moment of inertia) the boat will have a short natural period, which is better when waves are longer and pitching is more severe. Since small waves (relative to your canoe) pose few problems, it makes sense to load gear for the worst

case and keep weight out of the ends. There is nothing you can do about long overhanging ends that contribute to a high moment of inertia. Such are the costs of our aesthetic values.

PHOTO BY HENRY GEORGI

I AM PARTIAL to heavy weather, possibly from watching too many reruns of Victory at Sea. Sometimes I plow ahead at full speed, just to watch the bow rise and come crashing down into the largest waves. Childish perhaps? Sure, but it’s fun when time and destination aren’t pressing. But when they are, and you have to hunker down for a hard and sometimes scary paddle, the fun part fades. Knowing what to do can help when the going gets tough. Truly terrifying paddling calls for survival conditions, but that’s another topic. Now, onward into the waves.

ACROSS THE WAVES

An interesting thing happens when we paddle across really large waves. Because the local gravity is directed towards the wave centre, the boat follows the wave face, yet we get no impression of heeling unless the horizon is available as a reference. That hasn’t stopped so-called experts from conjuring up misleading illustrations of wide, flat boats tipping wildly while their roundbottomed cousins remain more upright. The best shape for large beam seas is one that will follow the face of the wave – wide and flat! Nevertheless, most of the time we coastal and lake paddlers encounter much shorter waves. When the wavelength approaches the size of the

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

boat’s beam, the motion of a wide boat becomes more rapid. The steepest wave possible is seven times longer than its height. Problems can occur when a large wave breaks and the reduced local gravity and wind cause the wave top to detach and come crashing down the face in powerful disorder. Since roughly one-third of the wave breaks, the force is significant. Under these conditions, a boat with hard chines or a sharp turn of the bilge is at risk because it can “trip” over the chine and capsize as it’s pushed sideways by the cascading water. Although it feels counter-intuitive at first, the remedy is to heel and brace into the wave – leaning away from the wave increases the risk of capsize. As a general rule, the best thing you can learn to prepare for breaking beam seas is a good instinctive brace. This is far more serious for open canoes than sea kayaks, so canoeists should learn evasive manoeuvres or wear spray covers in severe conditions. Despite all the concern, I have never heard of a capsize caused by beam seas. There are many tales of capsizes due to attention lapses, being blown over by a wind gust, being swamped by a breaking wave, and from a boat slowly filling with water until it was completely unstable. But, I’m not aware of anyone capsizing due to waves alone.

FOLLOWING SEAS

Most of the time, following waves is just good fun with lots of spray and surfing, but it can get tense when they are steep and breaking. Fortunately, the seascape is composed of many waves of varying sizes, speeds and directions that constantly reinforce and diminish each other. Consequently, large waves disappear as rapidly as they appear. The trick to handling following seas is to slow the boat by backpaddling a few strokes just as the wave crest is poised to hurl you down the face. Only in extreme conditions should you have to consider turning into the waves or resorting to drogues or trailing warps. Entire books have been written on that and they make great fireside reading. I haven’t had much luck with most of the ideas and rely more on braces and strokes.

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

One popular canoeing book describes how to escape from a wave that has you trapped on its face. Actually, staying on a wave is harder than getting off, and given time, the problem solves itself. The writer’s suggestion to try something that resembles a controlled broach is problematic and a sure invitation to go for a swim if the wave is breaking. Kayaks, of course, can turn and take seas on the beam and frequently do when surfing onto a beach landing.

INTO THE WIND

Waves are one thing and wind is another. Most of the time, they appear as a package, but they affect your boat differently. Be prepared to adjust your style to suit one more than the other. The way to combat head winds is to reduce your windage, or drag. Canoeists can use a spray cover to significantly reduce resistance. It also means getting rid of those wide brimmed hats and wildly flapping rain gear. I usually lose my hat in a few days which takes care of the first problem, and a lifejacket on the outside will tame the latter. Paddling technique helps, too. Canoeists should feather the blade on the return stroke and kayakers can use shorter paddles with a twist. A more effective action is to control your angle with the wind. Remember, your net gain to windward will be least when the boat is at a 30 degree angle to the wind. So, if you are trying to move ahead dead to windward, do not angle to one side more than absolutely necessary to stop pounding. Paddling into the wind is one of those times canoeists are allowed to consider setting aside their aesthetic principles in favour of “sit and switch” paddling. It isn’t pretty, but it is effective. Kayakers aren’t faced with this philosophical debate since they “sit and switch” and are aesthetically pure all the time.

ACROSS THE WIND

The problems encountered across the wind are caused by sideways drift, or leeway. Drift moves the resultant resistance force off-centre at the bow to introduce a turning moment. Normally, this causes “weather helm,” which

is the tendency to turn into the wind. The degree of weather helm is the complicated product of aerodynamic and hydrodynamic forces, with the latter by far the most prevalent.

“Waves are one thing and wind is another” Some boats simply cannot be made to track straight across the wind without extreme effort. I recall seeing a boat turn into the wind for no apparent reason. It took a minute or so before the paddlers got the beast under control and back on course. The owner’s lack of concern could mean it was a common occurrence. While most boats turn into the wind, some will turn off the wind (lee helm). They are a curse to be avoided like the Ebola virus. The last thing you need is a boat that heads like a homing pigeon for the nearest rocky point downwind. The primary cure for any wind-induced course instability is either a rudder or paddling hard on the side that results in a straight course. Trimming the boat to adjust the helm works, but must be used sparingly because too much boat waving about in the breeze increases leeway. Using exaggerated control strokes (“J” strokes and such) slow the boat and the slower the boat, the more it drifts to leeward. Should both paddlers paddle on the same side? You bet, if that gets the job done.

WITH THE WIND

Enjoy! At least until the waves exceed your confidence level. There is one more piece of advice. Wear your lifejacket when the going gets tough. Like most paddlers, I keep my jacket tucked neatly behind the seat 95 per cent of the time, but it’s that five per cent that will kill you. They aren’t fashionable or super comfortable, but they can make the difference between you being around for the next big blow, or not.

≈ John Winters is an experienced canoe designer living in Ontario.

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Eight essential knots made easy How to really tie one on KNOWING HOW TO TIE A PERFECT KNOT MAY come as second nature to some people, but to most the skill seems elusive. I’m with the majority. I never “got it” back in the days of Boy Scouts. And it’s not that I didn’t try to master this art. I’ve bought knot books, sat on the front porch for hours practising things like the sheet bend, monkey’s fist, Turk’s head and hangman’s noose. When it came to actually using them in the field, however, I panicked and tied things down with half a dozen granny knots, then hoped for the best. The day I watched my canoe drift off down some rapids because of a poorly tied bowline was the day I committed to learning at least eight of the 4,000 known and documented knots. Here’s a list of essential knots – those that are easy to remember in a pinch.

PHOTO BY KEVIN CALLAN

BY KEVIN CALLAN

BOWLINE

This is the best knot to form a nonslip loop. It’s considered the king of knots, and has the advantage of that catchy “rabbit and the hole” chant to help you remember how to tie it: “The rabbit comes out of the hole, goes around the tree, and back down 1 the hole again.” Looping the rope forms the “hole.” The rabbit is the rope’s free end, and the 2 tree is the other standing part of the rope. For added security, end the knot with a figure eight or two half 3 hitches. The knack of untying knots To untie jammed-up knots, quickly and firmly twist the sections of rope on the outside of the knot back and forth while pushing in slack at the same time. Another method involves using a thin stick (called a “fid”) to slide into an opening in the knot to pry the rope segments apart.

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

TRUCKER’S HITCH

The trucker’s hitch is the ultimate combination of a knot-andpulley system. 3 4 It’s a great way to rig rain tarps and tent guy ropes, or just tighten up a clothesline. However, the best use of this knot is for cinching down a canoe or kayak on top of your vehicle. First, tie off the rope onto the roof rack on one side of the load. Then, about three quarters along, twist the rope to form a loop and bring the loose end through the loop to form a second loop. Take note that the higher up you make the loop, the more powerful the hitch will be. Now, pass the rope around the other side of the roof rack, and bring it back through the loop. Pull and hold down the grip by finishing off with a half hitch.

CLOVE HITCH

The clove hitch is a quick and easy knot for tying things up, and the best part is that it’s easy to adjust and untie, even after you apply a heavy load to 1A 1 the rope. Tie this knot using one of two methods. The first involves making two loops by twisting the rope in opposite 2 2A directions. Now, place the left loop under the left side of the right loop. This forms the hole, which you then place over the 3 3A object you want to tie onto. To finish, pull both ends of the rope to tighten. The second method involves wrapping the rope around the object. Next, wrap the running end around a second time and pass it under the first wrap. Pull both ends to secure the hitch. Either method works, but the first can only be used when the rope can be placed over the object you’re tying onto.

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

OVERHAND KNOT

FISHERMAN’S KNOT

The overhand knot serves two purposes. The initial step creates a great “stopper” knot at the end to 3 4 prevent the rope from slipping through another knot, or just to tie off a loose end. Just pass the end of the rope over itself and then back through the loop formed. Pull and tighten. If you do the same procedure but with a loop formed at the end of the rope, you can create a makeshift bowline. It’s not as strong as the bowline, but it has the advantage of creating a loop anywhere you want along a length of rope. 2

This is the best and quickest way to tie two ropes together. Start by placing the two ropes parallel to 3 4 each other. Then tie one rope on to the other by wrapping it over and around the other, forming an overhand knot on the second piece of rope. Repeat with the other two ends. Tighten and pull. It’s an easy procedure but not as effective as a double fisherman’s knot, 1 2 which is a little more complicated.

THE OTHER FISHERMAN’S KNOT

This knot, 3 4 known by some as the “improved clinch knot,” is used to secure fishing line to a fishhook. You can also use it for tying down anything around camp. Run the end of a line through the eye of the hook. Then, wrap the free end around the line five or

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THE BOOK NOOK BY JO-ANNE MARY BENSON six times. This forms another loop between the first wrap and the eye of the hook. Feed the free end through that loop, and pull to tighten. Clip the end of the line that remains (a standard nail clipper will do the trick). Experts say it’s the only knot that won’t let the fish get off, unless it breaks the line.

PRUSIK KNOT

The Prusik knot (named after its inventor Dr. Karl Prusik, twice head of the Austrian Alpine Club) has the advantage of creating a loop (which is usually tied onto another length of rope). The loop won’t slip when you add weight to it, but it will slide easily 1 when you remove the weight. Climbers use this knot extensively to move up or down a vertical rope. First, create a small loop or circle of rope by using the fisherman’s knot (see above). Place the small loop on the far side of the larger diameter of rope. 2 Wrap one free end around to the other side and tuck it under the loop formed. One wrap and tuck will do, but the more you repeat the process, the greater the friction of the knot. 5

TAUT-LINE HITCH

Campers use this hitch knot to tie down and adjust the tension on a rope attached to a tent peg. The knot forms a loop that can be easily adjusted by sliding it up and down the main line. Start by pulling the free end around the object and placing it under the standing end. Now, wrap the free end around the standing end. Wrap it a second time. To cinch it off, bring the free end back to the standing line, placing it on top of the rope and just in front of the first wrap. Now, make a half hitch by tucking the free end under the loop you formed and pull to tighten. Now that you know the basic knots, you’ll never watch helplessly as your canoe runs a set of rapids solo!

≈ From Kevin Callan, The Happy Camper: An Essential Guide to Life Outdoors, Boston Mills Press, 2005. Used by permission. Look for it at several local bookstores.

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7-WEEK CYCLING FOR FITNESS BY CHRIS SIDWELL (DORLING KINDERSLEY $20) CYCLING enthusiasts of all levels will be eager to undertake the all-inclusive program outlined in Chris Sidwell’s 7-Week Cycling for Fitness. Sidwell is a true cycling aficionado, whose cycling expertise is extensive, ranging from writing and broadcasting to journalism and racing. He offers sound advice and clear instructions in a conversational writing style. The program itself, as well as supplementary chapters, will prepare everyone to get the most out of their cycling experience. The book promotes cycling not only as a great way to stay fit but also as an enjoyable way to explore. The program is suitable for all kinds of bikes and can be adapted to stationary ones. The training focuses on length of time, terrain, heart rate, and intensity of the workout. Each week has a particular focus with rest days slotted between each exercise day. Week Four is a little different in its approach as it allows one to evaluate how much one has progressed. Threshold levels, sprinting, and uphill biking are just a sampling of the many topics that are addressed. Of particular appeal are the Overview and At-a-Glance features for each week and the Session Summaries which indicate the types of training to be undertaken. The instructions are well presented and straightforward. The program will not only put one on a path to peak cycling condition but will help the reader achieve a better sense of overall fitness. The visual presentation is particularly appealing as it uses a high degree of photographic content. This feature greatly aids the reader in everything from choosing, operating, and repairing a bike to understanding muscular fitness. Much of the photography is taken on the road and is an excellent means of allowing readers to better grasp the concept being explained. The program is highly suitable for beginners but it also provides a wealth of information for experienced cyclists as well. An assortment of charts, sidebars, and index boxes further assist readers in implementing the program. 7-week Cycling for Fitness is a title that is strongly recommended for any cycling enthusiast. It can be used each year as a reliable preparatory source for the upcoming cycling season. It is an ideal complement to Chris Sidwell’s previous release, the Complete Bike Book. READING TIME WELL SPENT: • Complete Bike Book, by Chris Sidwell (Dorling Kindersley, $22.95) • Pocket Mountain Bike Maintenance, by Max Allwood (Firefly Books, $19.95) • Marathon and Half Marathon: The Beginners Guide, by Marnie Caron (Greystone Books, $22.95) • Backpack, Boots, and Baguettes: A Walk in the Pyrenees, by Simon Calder (Virgin Books, $19.95)

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

Lovin’ it How a city feeds the in-line flame I HAVE ALWAYS loved skating. I like the look of skating: those long, easy rhythmic motions magically transformed into blazing speed. I like the feel of skating, how a reasonable effort can make the world blur past, and still be easy on the knees and joints. I like the look of athletic women in form-fitting bodysuits. (Ahem. Still have a touch of Olympic fever…) To me, skating is how the body was meant to move. So, when I turned the Big Four-Oh corner and staying fit became something I needed to work at year-round, in-line skating provided the low-impact but aerobic summer workout I was looking for. I couldn’t have chosen a better city.

PHOTO BY OTTAWA INLINE SKATING CLUB

BY BRAD SNIDER

Skating in Ottawa is a year-round outdoor sport. In addition to our famous Canal in winter, Ottawa has some of the best opportunities for summer in-line skating in North America. This city has the pavement, the clubs and support

groups, world-class coaching, and organized in-line skating events First step in joining the fun involves getting some gear. I remember the first time I tried on a very ordinary pair of in-line skates many

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

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years ago at a sporting goods shop in Carlingwood Mall. After my fourth time circling the food court wearing a giant grin, the guy came out to tell me I either had to give them back or buy them. So remember, skating on wheels can be addictive. Most local sports shops stock in-line skates across the price range. As in most things, you get what you pay for, but beware of gear envy. Skill and fitness count for more than expensive gear (ask any golfer) and you can develop expertise on an entry-level set of skates. Soon enough you might succumb, like me, to skater’s lust for the latest in wheels, boots and especially bearings. (In-line skaters have a mystical relationship to wheel bearings – not unlike a cowboy and his horse, but more intense.) If you fall under the spell of the gear, be assured that a few devoted local independent dealers do their best to keep us supplied with the more exotic racing in-line skates and wheels (ztsports@sympatico.ca). Protective gear is simply essential. I never venture out without a helmet and wrist guards, and the Ottawa In-line Skate Club I belong to requires at least a helmet for their outings. You will also need a helmet for races (yes, you might just enter a race). There are knee and elbow pads as well which I sometimes skip, but when I’m feeling conscientious I wear all the gear, and so should you. Before starting out, lessons are useful. If you are already an iceskater, the transition to in-line is easy and natural, but there are significant differences in braking and stopping, and also on how to handle hills – going up and going down. During Sunday Bikedays, the Ottawa club offers beginner lessons in braking and steering on Colonel By Drive near Seneca Street, and the City of Ottawa’s recreation department offers indoor beginner lessons at Brewer Park arena. We also have national level coaches in Ottawa such as Dominique Lalonde (www.creative-wheel.com) and Barry Publow (www.breakawayskate.com) who offer clinics and lessons.

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

Advanced and ongoing programs are available to those who join a club. After a few weeks on my own I decided I knew it all and was ready to enter a race, the 10-kilometre Nordion during the National Capital Race Weekend. I came in last, beaten at the finish by a woman pushing a stroller. And smoking. Obviously I had some work to do. But in my race kit I found my ticket to improvement: a flyer for the Ottawa

Inline Skate Club (www.inlineottawa.com). This club is the largest such group in Canada, and offers skill lessons, distance training, racing training or social outings on the pathways five nights a week during the skating season. Publow, the National Team coach, offers training through the club as well as in workshops of his own. I highly recommend joining a group like this, because the social environment is a great motivator.

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Now, where to skate? Roads? Sidewalks? Not in this city. In Ottawa we don’t need to worry about the safety or legality of skating in vehicle traffic, or competing for space on sidewalks. There are plenty of traffic-free locales where skating is safe and legal. Most of the pavement is smooth, and some of it is new. New, fresh, baby-bottom-smooth pavement being something in-line skaters lust after almost as much as new bearings. Begin with the 170 kilometres of NCC bike paths. Much of this network is either flat or gently rolling, and much of it is scenic. Our club organizes regular social skates in the evening along the best of these routes. The path along the Western Parkway starting from Westboro beach is a favourite, with a view over the Ottawa River in the evening that is unrivalled, and a patio courtesy of Moe’s on Wellington Street that makes for a great après-skate destination. Other popular stretches of pathway are along the Rideau River in New Edinburgh, and along both sides of the Canal downtown. Special mention goes to the path along the north shore of the Ottawa River, a flat, shaded, summer route from the Champlain Bridge to the Aylmer Marina, where a waterside deck and strawberry daiquiris await. In addition to the pathways, from Victoria Day to Labour Day there are the Sunday Bikedays on the Western Parkway, Eastern Parkway, and Colonel By Drive, with roads closed to cars but open to in-line skaters, cyclists, joggers and walkers. The parkways in Gatineau Park are closed to car traffic on Sunday mornings, though beginners should

probably confine themselves to the north loop near parking lot P8. This loop is closed to cars on Tuesday and Thursday evenings also. For those who like their sports extreme, check out the rest of the Gatineau parkways. On the big hills (Black’s, Pink Lake, the one in the south near Gamelin Boulevard that has no name but ought to) skaters can reach speeds in excess of 70 km/h. I have done these hills a couple of times, the first time out of ignorance of what lay ahead, (be careful who you follow, a good lesson for life in general), the second time to prove that the first was no fluke. It’s enough to make you want to make videos. I have since retired from that part of the sport, but the tradition continues. Few true skaters can resist the chance to try racing the clock in an organized event. You can race others, or just race yourself and try for a new personal best, and Ottawa has two of the finest events in North America, conveniently bookending the season. The ING National Capital Marathon offers a half marathon and a full marathon distance race on May 28, (www.ncm.ca) while in early September the Ottawa In-line Skate club organizes the Ottawa In-line Skate Festival with races of five kilometres, 10 kilometres, half and full marathon distances (www.inlineottawa.com). Both events attract top Canadian and international skaters, and their speed and grace is a marvellous thing to see. It’s even better to take part. There are tens of thousands of ice skaters in this city, and with spring here and summer rapidly approaching I would like to encourage these people to try out this wonderful outdoor sport. Let’s get rolling.

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PHOTO BY OTTAWA INLINE SKATING CLUB

• Tommy and Lefebvre – www.TandL.com • Figure 8 – www.figure8.net • Zt Sports – ztsports@sympatico.ca

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LESSONS AND CLUBS

• Ottawa Inline Skate Club – www.inlineottawa.com • Barry Publow – www.breakawayskate.com • Dominique Lalonde – www.creative-wheel.com • Zts Skate School – ztsports@sympatico.ca • City of Ottawa – www.ottawa.ca

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How to ride through mud If you can’t avoid it BY DOMINIQUE LAROCQUE

PHOTO BY ROCKY MOUNTAIN BICYCLES

RESPONSIBLE MOUNTAIN BIKERS always try to preserve their riding environment. This means evaluating the trail condition and avoiding damage as much as possible. So I cringe every time someone asks how to ride muddy trails on a mountain bike. The answer involves two responses. First, in a perfect world no one would ride a bike on muddy trails. This activity contributes to trail erosion and closure. Not good. Second, because I know that some people will ride muddy trails, I offer this advice: Don’t get dirty if you don’t have to. If you’re not racing, stay off mud. It’s that simple. If you have to ride what looks like a large surface of deep muck, charge straight through it. Why? Riding around it only damages and widens the trail further. Although blasting straight

through isn’t ideal, it will contain the damage and prevent the mud bath from getting wider. Sure, riding mud is fun but try a spa mud bath instead. Not only will soaking at a mud spa save the cycling trail, but it will protect your bike from grinding abuse. However, if you’re racing you

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may not have the luxury of choice, as Rocky Mountain pro-riders show on these pictures. What follows are tips from Ned Overend’s book, Mountain Bike Like a Champion, as well as from Mountain Bike, and Bicycling magazines. 1. Keep your weight centred between the wheels, keeping your bike as perpendicular as possible to whatever muddy slippery goop you are riding over. The same principle applies when going around a muddy offcamber turn. Keep your weight changes subtle, and have the selfdiscipline to stay off the brakes. 2. “Ride light.” Be balanced, centred and gentle, especially when braking, descending, turning, and accelerating. Riding in mud is like driving a car on an icy road. Be gradual when steering. Don’t exaggerate anything. Be aware that once a wheel breaks loose, the bike can get away from you really fast. Stop slips before they start by riding one gear higher than you would in dry conditions. This reduces torque to the back wheel, reducing the slip. 3. When climbing a muddy trail, stay seated so you can keep pedal pressure as even as possible. This means “pedal in circles,” creating a circular motion with your downstroke, as well as your bottom, upstroke, top. The rounder and smoother the pedal stroke, the more efficient it is. Use a slightly higher gear. Fight for traction and momentum. 4. If descending a very gooey trail (even with gravity’s help), pedal hard to keep your speed. 5. Stay cool. As mud coats your drive train, you’ll get poor (or no) shifting. Often this will cause you to lose the use of the small chain ring and the smaller cogs. Your chain can skip because the rear derailleur is too fouled up to provide enough tension. At that point, just use the middle or large chain ring, and hope for sufficient gears with the available cogs. 6. Lube liberally. Wet lube will serve you better in mud since it goes on wet and stays wet. The most basic

wet lube, with excellent results, is motor oil. The more high-tech versions of wet lubes are synthetic oils and Teflon. 7. Get a rear tire (1.8- or 2.2-inch) that won’t plug up and become a de facto slick. Some tires are designed to provide top self-cleaning and traction (see the Barro Mud tire by Geax at www.geax.com/prodgeax/ mtboffroad/barro.htm). 8. For the front tire, plugging is less of a concern. Use low pressure; not so low that you get a pinch flat, but almost that low. 9. Maintain brakes and cables and wash your bike with a low-pressure hose or soapy brush, and keep the water stream well away from seals and bearings. Next time you absolutely must go through mud you’ll know how to do it safely and quickly.

PHOTO BY ROCKY MOUNTAIN BICYCLES

Mud, sweat and gears

≈ Dominique Larocque is owner and director of LaRocca XC Mountain Bike School and Creative Wheel Consulting. She represented Canada on a Rocky Mountain Blizzard at the 1991 World Championships in Lucca, Italy. Visit www. mountainbikeschool.ca to read about all upcoming 2006 camps for kids, teens and adults.

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

Kanata Lakes: a mountain bike haven Test your skills and savour the scenery near technology’s home base BY ERIC BOURBONNIERE PHOTOS BY OMBA RIDERS IN BEHIND THE silicon and software campuses of Ottawa’s high tech sector, you’ll find an area known to local residents and outdoor enthusiasts as Kanata Lakes. While you would be hard-pressed to find anywhere to swim, the rugged landscape and mature white pines evoke images from the Group of Seven, and provide an ideal setting to leave the rest of the world behind for a few hours. A prominent feature of the area is a network of multi-use trails that winds around and over rocky ridge lines rising up from Precambrian Shield bedrock. Compared to the trails of Gatineau Park and Camp Fortune, the Kanata Lakes network has a surprising number of hills to climb. They’re shorter than those just across the Ottawa River in Quebec, and they will challenge the technical riding skills of mountain bikers more than a rider’s cardio fitness. Located in one of the largest areas of continuous natural landscape in the city, this trail system divides into three areas: Beaverpond-Trillium forest trails, the Goulbourn Forced Road network (across the road from the trailhead at the Goulbourn Forced Road parking lot), and the South March Highlands network north of the CN tracks.

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

BEAVERPOND-TRILLIUM

For the novice rider or a family outing, the Beaverpond-Trillium Forest Trails are your best bet. Accessible from the Goulbourn Forced Road parking lot, this network consists of a crushed stone path similar to those in Gatineau Park, and a few intersecting loops of single-track dirt trails for beginner and intermediate riders. Enjoy these while you can. Some sections will disappear in the next few years as suburban housing spreads.

GOULBOURN FORCED ROAD

On the other side of the road from the Goulbourn Forced Road parking lot lies its trail system, until recently the main riding area in Kanata Lakes. Slated for development, this network consists of a maze of beginner-to-advanced loops and has no signage, so first-time riders might want to leave a trail of bread crumbs to avoid getting lost. A single-track trail

defining the western boundary runs north along a hydro clear-cut to the CN track where more experienced riders can test the wonders that lie on the other side of the tracks: the South March Highlands.

SOUTH MARCH HIGHLANDS

Generally bordered by the CN track, Old Carp Road, Huntmar Road and the Second Line easement, the gem of the Kanata Lakes trail system is on 280 hectares of land which the City of Ottawa started buying in the year 2000 (see map next page). While this landscape of rock barrens, wetlands, as well as deciduous and coniferous forest is protected from urban development because of its environmental values. Its status as a multi-use recreational area remains to be determined after public consultations being organized by the City. You’ll find the main trailhead (known as K2) at the corner of Klondike Road and Second Line.

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With over 25 kilometres of trails filled with excitement, technical challenges, and beautiful scenery, the South March system at times reflects the best in sustainable trail design, and generally conforms to the International Mountain Bicycling Association’s “stacked loop” system, where trails get more challenging as the rider gets further from the trailhead. One shortcoming is the lack of proper signage; riders have to rely on landmarks to navigate (e.g. a bird feeder, an Inukshuk, an A-frame bridge). From the K2 trailhead, the Second Line trail provides a smooth easy path to access the slightly more intermediate FBIT-FBOT loop (FB* Inner Thigh – FB Outer Thigh). A clockwise loop of FBIT and FBOT beginning from the bird feeder will reduce the likelihood of getting lost. Along this loop, intermediate to advanced riders can get onto the next level of trails in the stacked loop system. (* Initials belonging to a regular trail user.) For those looking for a mix of technical and cardio single-track, Pete’s Wicked Trail covers much of the

Beaver Pond GFR Trail System

northern section of the South March system. It winds its way around one of the larger lakes, through forests, over bedrock outcroppings, occasionally skirting wetlands and beaver ponds. Ultimately, it finds its way back to FBOT. Much work has been put into

maintaining this trail, especially around wetland forest areas where your skills will be tested by riding nine-metre lengths of 60-centimetre-wide (or less) wooden slat bridges. The technically challenging Ridgetop Trail, as the name suggests, lies on the

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Carp Ridge parallel to and north of the CN tracks. It makes its way to the western end of the South March system where, on sunny afternoons, you are likely to see turkey vultures circling above the escarpment to catch the rising thermals – perhaps in search of lost riders. Most of the trail surface lies on “slick rock,” meaning riders will be faced with technical trail features such as short steep drops that are usually rollable. Leg armour and tires made of soft rubber compounds are ideal for this trail and the Highlands adventure in general. To find this trail, keep left shortly after the A-frame bridge where FBIT and FBOT meet. At the western end,

the trail turns down the escarpment at Huntmar Road, then back east via a lower trail. This lower Pasture Trail offers an easier way back toward FBITFBOT, but riding back on Ridgetop is worth the extra effort. Along Ridgetop and Pete’s Wicked Trail, riders will be faced with a decision that will depend on time, energy, skill and water constraints: to ride Outback or not. Spread across much of the northern sector of the South March Highlands, Outback is the spectacular pinnacle of the stacked loop system. It will take you through varied forest landscapes while skirting small lakes. Beautiful scenery aside, what’s ahead is a grueling sixkilometre trail that only the strongest, most sound riders can complete in less than 30 minutes. To access Outback from the west, head north off Ridgetop onto Gateway. For those riding in from the east, keep an eye out for the Inukshuk at the

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intersection of Pete’s and Outback. Once you’re committed to riding Outback there’s no shortcut out, so be sure you have enough daylight, food, water, energy, skills, and sheer will to complete this demanding advancedlevel trail. While taking a break from riding in Kanata Lakes you can expect to see a wide range of bird species including great blue herons, Canada geese, wood ducks, red-tailed hawks, grouse, woodpeckers, and the yellowbellied sapsuckers. Although coyotes can be heard at night, you’re more

HOW TO GET THERE K2 trailhead: exit off Highway 417 at March Road. Drive north along March Road past the high tech buildings for several kilometres, then turn left at the yellow flashing light at Klondike Road. Park at the end of Klondike where it connects to Second Line. Goulbourn Forced Road trailhead: exit off Highway 417 at Terry Fox Drive north, turn right on Campeau, then left at Castlefrank Road. Follow Castlefrank to Richardson Side Road where it intersects with Goulbourn Forced Road across from All Saints High School. Turn right onto Goulbourn Forced Road. You’ll find the parking lot a couple of kilometres further along on the right.

likely to see white tailed deer, porcupines, chipmunks, rabbits, frogs, and occasionally beavers – the usual denizens of wetland, deciduous and upland forests. Hikers, cyclists, dog-walkers, snowshoers and cross-country skiers use these trails year-round, but routes are often wet in springtime. So, check out local mountain bike websites for trail conditions before venturing out. You can download a comprehensive map of the South March Highlands from the OMBA website at www.ottawmba.org. Follow the “trails” link to get more information on the South March area, including aerial photos. For a guided tour, sign up to join one of the regular group rides. See other sources for local mountain biking at www.mtbkanata.com and www.asilvertouch.com. Now that you know the secret, check out these Kanata Lakes trails. ≈ Eric says he is a Leo, and loves Chinese food. :) He is an OMBA representative for Gatineau Park and has been riding Kanata Lakes since 1998.

OTTAWA MOUNTAIN BIKING ASSOCIATION (OMBA) The 120-member, OMBA was formed in 2005. Its goal: ensuring access for mountain biking in the Ottawa area. OMBA members have met with City of Ottawa officials to lobby for the South March Highlands becoming a multi-use trail-based recreational area. Given development pressures and the existing trails, a well designed and maintained trail system can sustain recreational activity while minimizing erosion, contamination, damage to plants and other environmental harm in the highlands. City council has voted the money to create a management plan for 2006. OMBA members have also met with the NCC to discuss trail projects in Gatineau Park. You can visit the OMBA web site at www.OttawaMBA.org.

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RECOIL PANT – SIERRA DESIGNS $100 The Recoil bounces back through the hardest bushwhacks, longest hikes and endless rock scrambles. Wind and water resistance with a 40+ UPF from the Durastretch fabric, and three zippered pockets with a fixed waist. Great for: walking, travel, mountaineering, hiking, expedition, backpacking, camping. Features include: zippered side pocket, Teflon DWR, leg zips, fixed waist with belt loops, Ciba antimicrobial treatment, back zip pocket, 40+ UPF rating, 2 upper zip hand pockets. LOOK FOR IT AT SELECTED LOCAL RETAILERS

NORDIC SKATE – K2 K2 has added a new category this season to their skate line, called the Nordic series. These skates are designed with ILQ Special frictions bearing and Conti All-Weather wheels for the off season Nordic skier who wants to continue his or her training. Developed with training in mind, the Nordic series skates will push you to the limits for strength and endurance. A great tool for anyone who is either in-line racing or Nordic skiing. LOOK FOR IT A SELECTED LOCAL RETAIL OUTLETS CARRYING K2 IN-LINE PRODUCTS

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KayakPro USA introduce their new high performance, fast, yet stable sea kayak. At home in all ocean conditions. Vampire has been designed from the ground up and includes many innovative design features. Internal bulkheads and hatches, adjustable racing styleseat, deck cutaways to maximize close blade entry and allow rotation techniques. T-bar rudder system, choice of two rudders. Dimensions: Length overall 21’ 1/2” [6.41 m] Beam maximum 18.75” [0.48 m] Max height at forward End of Cockpit 15.1” [0.38 m] Available in two constructions: • Glass sandwich, Foam core, Epoxy Resin, Vacuum bagged and heat cured. • Carbon /Kevlar, foam core, Epoxy Resin, Vacuum bagged and heat cured. Price: $3,500 Carbon Kevlar $2,900 Glass sandwhich TO ARRANGE FOR A TEST PADDLE, CONTACT JODI: JODIB@PADDLEFIT.COM WWW.PADDLEFIT.COM

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COOLGEAR

NEWPORT H2 – KEEN FOOTWEAR The foundation of Keen Footwear, the Newport H2 is designed to perform in adverse conditions. The razor-slipped outsole and 3mm lugs provide excellent traction. A true hybrid, the waterproof uppers withstand the abuse of saltware and dirt, while providing supple comfort and stylish looks. Men’s and women’s models available in selected colours. LOOK FOR THEM AT GLEBE TROTTERS AT 860 BANK STREET

TREK-POD $129 (APPROX) It’s a walking staff, It’s a monopod, It’s a tripod—and the MagMount works like magic! TrekPod™ is the unique combination of a lightweight, height-adjustable walking/hiking staff with a fully integrated tripod for cameras, optical devices and almost any other tripod mountable device such as photo lights, microphones, digiscoping, etc,. In addition, TrekPod is a height-adjustable, fully functional monopod, which converts between all three functions in just seconds. The product incorporates an innovative, quickrelease, mount-demount system called MagMount™. SEE MORE AT WWW.TREK-TECH.COM

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NEW SOURCE PFD ($125/$130) – MEC

Comfort and value are at hand with MEC’s New Source PFD. It’s the first PFD in the world to use polyethylene foam, a lighter, more buoyant and more environmentally friendly material than the PVC foam used in other PFDs. It’s available in men’s and women’s styles in blue or red. *Note, the product will not be in stores until May. LOOK FOR IT AT MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT COOP

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Paddling tandem kayaks BY KEN WHITING AND ALEX MATTHEWS

PHOTO BY HELICONIA PRESS – www.helipress.com

TANDEM KAYAKS OR “doubles” are a great way for two people – who may have very different paddling experience or skill sets – to get out on the water and share the joy of kayaking together. Typically wider than single kayaks, tandems have awesome stability, which makes them ideal platforms for introducing to the sport of kayaking those who may be a little nervous about being out on the water. You can take almost anyone kayaking in a tandem, whether it’s your kids, your parents, your grandparents, or even your dog. A great thing about tandems is that your passengers don’t even need to paddle if

Something to keep in mind is that the size of your paddle blades is like the size of chain rings on a bike, so if there is a weaker paddler, he or she should ideally be using smaller blades in order to keep a similar paddling pace to the stronger paddler. It is also preferable (although not crucial) to use slightly longer paddles for a tandem than you would for a single kayak, because of the boat’s added width. Some tandems are equipped with a rudder, which aids greatly in manoeuvring the kayak and making small course corrections. The best way to turn a tandem kayak while stationary involves a little teamwork. Ideally, the front paddler takes a forward sweep on one side, while the stern paddler performs a reverse sweep on the opposite side of the kayak. If you think that tandem kayaks won’t be as much fun as singles, think again. In fact, sit-on-top tandem kayaks are so stable that you could consider them to be highperformance floating docks, which makes them terrific for families. Watching kids play with a tandem kayak

they don’t want to. Just sit them in the bow and take them on a tour of the bay! Although tandems provide a great opportunity for taking a passenger for a ride, if both people are paddling, tandems can travel surprisingly quickly. The most efficient way of paddling a tandem is for both occupants to paddle in unison. Not only will this drive the kayak forward the quickest, you’ll also avoid the clashing of paddles. If there is one paddler who is physically stronger than the other, the weaker paddler traditionally sits in the bow and dictates the paddling pace. The “motor” sits in the back of the boat and modifies his or her stroke rate to keep the bow paddler’s pace. www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

at the lake, you’ll see the boat transform in seconds from a pirate ship, to an aircraft carrier, to a diving platform. Tandem kayaks can be so many different things to different people, and this is what makes them one of the most versatile and fun watercrafts from the cottage to the coast. ≈ Look for this and other great outdoor books from Heliconia Press. You can purchase online at www.helipress.com or telephone them direct at 1-888-582-2001.

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PHOTO BY ROBERT FAUBERT www.holeriders.com

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Canoeing Algonquin Park Seven ways to prevent first-time paddling grief BY CHANTAL MACARTNEY ILLUSTRATIONS BY WILLIAM JESSUP IF MR. BEAN went on an Algonquin Park canoe trip, what would it be like? Would he think out the entire trip to steer clear of unnecessary hassles, or would he stumble blindly from one avoidable disaster to another? We all know the answer. It would be funny – very funny – to watch, but not to experience. Yet if you’ve spent much time canoe tripping, you’ll have seen people who could be Mr. Bean stand-ins: novice paddlers with dangerously overloaded canoes at the trailhead; young couples (or a group of teens) happily zigzagging down the middle of the lake into the teeth of an approaching storm; nice people with lots of enthusiasm but little or no experience. Last summer, an Algonquin Park forest ranger recalled two first-time canoe trippers packing a full gas BBQ (including stand) into their heavily overloaded canoe at Smoke Lake. Luckily they sank near the dock and nobody got hurt. This might sound extreme, but according to the ranger it’s a common occurrence. If you’ve always wanted to paddle off into wilderness bliss but don’t know anything about how to prepare, here are seven basics. Do it right and you’re more likely to have a great trip – one worth repeating again and again.

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1. LEARN HOW TO PADDLE CORRECTLY

Lot’s of people think they can merely change paddling sides (left side, then right side) repeatedly to keep the canoe heading in a straight line. When you see this on a lake you know one of two things: The paddlers are either Olympic level racers, or they’re complete novices – perhaps even relatives of Mr. Bean. Switching sides every two or three strokes may work in a total calm, but not when a breeze starts to ripple the water. At the best of times this practice will give a false sense of security and control. When paddling on a river with a strong current, it could be dangerous. Here’s a solution. Take at least a twohour canoe lesson from a paid expert, and take it jointly with the person you’ll be paddling with. Not only will a twohour lesson ensure some measure of real competence in the canoe, but both paddlers will learn how to work in harmony – a real benefit when you’re dipping your paddle simultaneously several thousand times a day. The bow paddler should learn the following strokes: forward power stroke, draw, and pry. The stern paddler should learn the J-stroke, pry, sweep, and draw. Both of you should learn how to execute

these minimum strokes. Since the person in the stern is the one steering, this person in particular must be familiar with the different ways each stroke moves the boat. For details of these strokes, see Bill Mason’s classic Path of the Paddle: an Illustrated Guide to the Art of Canoeing. It’s available in most libraries. Mr. Bean might be happy enough to flip through the pages, glancing momentarily at the paddle stroke illustrations. You should carefully study the photos and description before heading out for your two-hour lesson.

2. KNOW YOUR ROUTE

Your first canoe trip should be no longer than a weekend on flat water. Avoid river rapids. Choose a park relatively close to your home, and spend time poring over your route. Don’t be too ambitious. Plan a leisurely trip. Speak to others about the route you want to take. Ask questions like: How long are the portages? Are they relatively flat and wide, or will we have to scramble through thick undergrowth? Are they well marked and easily seen from the water? Are there prepared campsites with fire pits and some form of outhouse?

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

Until you are more experienced, don’t plan on more than two portages a day; none should be longer than 350 metres. Avoid carrying all your gear in one trip and count on several trips from one end of the portage to the other. The idea is to enjoy your first canoe adventure safely, not to overstep your capability and have a miserable time.

3. STAY DRY

Bring lots of large, extra-strength, see-through garbage bags and ties. When you are starting off, put everything in them. It’s amazing how things can get splashed even on a sunny day. Here’s how to use the garbage bags. Line the inside of your backpack with a bag. This will guarantee that whether you splash too much or get caught in a downpour, your clothes will remain dry. Dry clothes keep you warm at night. (A dry, warm camper is a happy camper.) While paddling, put your sleeping bag in a garbage bag too, as well as your tent. Also, take along a package of large Ziplocs, perfect for keeping toiletries or snacks dry.

4. PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SUN

Only a wide-brimmed hat provides sun protection from all angles: front, sides and back. A baseball cap only provides frontal shade, leaving your neck and temples exposed. More expensive models (e.g. Tilly hats) have a chin strap to keep your head covered

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

even in heavy wind. Wear lots of sunblock (minimum UV 30) and stay covered in light cotton for much of the day. Even on a cloudy day, ultraviolet rays can give you a bad sunburn. Put sunblock on cheeks, ears, and nose – all exposed areas. Sunglasses that offer ultraviolet protection are also vital. Rays from the sun can reflect off the water surface and give your eyes a nasty burn that can lead to temporary blindness. (In winter we call this snowblindness.) Everyone should carry a water bottle, and drink at least one litre every two hours – much more on a hot day when you’re really exerting yourself. When in doubt, drink more. Your urine should appear clear, not yellow. The more yellow (or worse, brown), the greater your need for water.

5. PACKING THE CANOE

Very important: put your canoe in the water first! This is not as self-evident as you may think. Algonquin Park rangers can tell many stories of people who completely load their canoe on land and then drag it 30 metres to the lake. Really! Is this something that Mr. Bean might try? Packing your canoe correctly takes a bit of thought, but it’s not rocket science. Start by carefully putting the heaviest objects (like camp stove, tents, cooler) in the bottom of your canoe first, balancing fore, aft and sides

for stability. Then pack lighter objects around the heavy stuff. Don’t pile the canoe too high or wind will catch it and blow you around. Before getting in, pull your canoe away from shore so it floats on its own. If it leans to one side even slightly, reposition your gear. Fully loaded (gear and passengers), the sides of your canoe should be at least 23 centimetres (nine inches) above water to avoid swamping. If your boat doesn’t provide this basic safety margin, leave some gear at home or rent a larger canoe. Never compromise safety. It’s surprising how high waves can get, and they won’t always slide under the canoe. Two adults will need a 16-foot canoe to comfortably fit all their gear. Three adults will need at least a 17-foot boat.

6. AT YOUR SITE

Bring quality tents that provide lots of space to keep you dry. A four-man tent is really only comfortable for two adults with their gear. (On a wet day, extra space provides room for card games, etc.) Pitch the tent on flat, slightly angled ground. The slope will help drain water away from your tent when – not if – it rains (remember: be prepared). Avoid setting up your tent in a depression, no matter how tempting it might appear. A low area will only collect water – not a good thing unless your tent can float! Bring a tarpaulin and lots of rope. An eight to 10-foot tarpaulin stretched between trees provides lots of space for two people. On a rainy day, it’s great to sit under a tarp near your campfire with a mug of hot chocolate and a book. For information on how to hang a tarpaulin, see the Ottawa Outdoors Summer 2003 issue for a full explanation.

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For colder weather (May or August-September camping), bring a thick fleece. It will keep you warm and cozy in the evening and at night. No matter what the season, bring a tuque. You’ll be glad you have it if you wake up cold in the middle of the night. Slip it into your pillowcase or sleeping bag so you won’t have to root around looking for it in the dark.

Wild animals are wonderful to look at, but feeding them may result in abnormal behaviour and even danger. Chipmunks are a terrible problem in Algonquin Park. I’ve heard stories of campers virtually attacked by hungry chipmunks that jumped on sleeping bags and tents and started ripping at the fabric, trying to find food. And that’s when the gear was just being unloaded on the beach! Feeding “cute” chipmunks makes them dependent on humans; when the summer

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ends, those chipmunks will starve. Don’t leave food lying around your site. Store it in plastic jars or other containers, and hang it up if you aren’t going to need it for a few hours. Never eat food in your tent, day or night. This includes cookies, candy or granola bars. Eating in your tent can

leave food odours on the fabric that can attract bears. Mr. Bean wouldn’t put much effort into a canoe trip, but then again, he probably wouldn’t have much fun – the real goal.

PHOTO BY HENRY GEORGI - www.henrygeorgi.com

7. DON’T FEED THE WILDLIFE

≈ Chantal Macartney is a regular contributor to Ottawa Outdoors Magazine, and an avid camper.

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

IN THE NEWS — HEALTH & FITNESS

new show points consumers toward a healthier future Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion backs physical activity by jessica chan ONTARIO’S MINISTER OF Health promotion, Jim Watson, wants “to help save lives by getting young people more active and combating obesity among children.” “There has been a 300 per cent increase in obesity since 2003.” He was speaking during Winterlude at the Healthy Lifestyles Show, which he praised for “its objective towards diverse wellness.” Other speakers at the show included Hellen Buttigieg, host of HGTV’s Neat, and Dr. Barry Dworkin, host of CFRA’s Sunday House Call. The event, which took place Feb. 11 and 12 at Lansdowne Park, featured products, services and information on health, sports, fitness, nutrition, medicine, fashion, travel and the environment. “All exhibit spaces were sold and more than 4,000 people attended, which is a testament to the importance of Ottawa’s growing market of health-conscious consumers,” said show organizer, Bruce Hollands, president of Innovative Service Solutions Inc. Those who attended were able to take in a vast array of health-related products and services. They could taste-test food, find out their blood type, book a ski weekend, and even get a 10-minute chair massage. “Our objective is to bring all aspects of healthy living together in one venue and to offer consumers practical and healthy solutions,” Hollands said. “It was well-organized,” said Rollande Pilbrow, a customer service consultant attending the show. “Everything was at my fingertips.” Many people were impressed with how easily they could find alternative ways of living healthy lives without having to make a huge commitment. “Everyone is interested in health when they are getting older,” said Kim Gagnon, a librarian assistant at the National Archives. “I came here to listen to the guest speakers because I can relate to what they are talking about.” A major sponsor of the event, Ontario’s Ministry of Health Promotions, was on hand to promote its “Active 2010” campaign, which aims to increase participation in sport and physical activity throughout Ontario. Long-term, its goal is

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

to reduce the incidence of chronic diseases associated with inactivity, and ultimately ease health care costs. The days kicked off with aerobics demonstrations by personal trainers from Goodlife Fitness, followed by hour-long presentations from guest speakers. “I was able to find out more information on health products that I didn’t know existed,” said Tonya Collins, an information

technology specialist. “There is a good balance of content and I’m looking forward to coming again.” People from all ages showed up to see what the event was about. Some were middle-aged, some were already health believers looking to see what’s new, some were trying to make 2006 their year to become healthier. And others just wanted to get to know more about the event. “We’re into healthy living, so we wanted to see what this show had to offer,” said Sylvie Boudreault, at the show with her friend Tina Tagliaferro. “There was a great balance of content.” There was something for everyone, from the grandmother looking for an energy supplement to keep up with grandchildren, to parents with their family in tow, and students finding out about green energy. “I found this show very family-oriented. My family and I are having fun with the new and innovative ways of health,” said Michelle Iseman, a communications consultant. At the end of the day, those who attended walked away with freebies – information and a kick-start to a healthier lifestyle. Everyone can expect the show to be a lot bigger next year.

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

Check your health’s bottom line If you don’t, you can skip the investment portfolio BY COLIN PEDEN

PHOTO BY NATIONAL CAPITAL COMMISSION

LONG-TERM PLANNING CAN mean both time flexibility and financial freedom for yourself and your family. The general goal is to be able to enjoy the fruits of your hard work by taking vacations, playing golf, and hitting the slopes. Yet a significant part of the planning puzzle has been noticeably overlooked in the investment world, and that is your health. No matter how well you plan your financial future, you will not be able to enjoy it if your health holds you back. Too many “successful” people find that their health, not finances, limits them as they get older. They spent all their time building a business and working long hours, letting their health slip to Number 6 on their “To do list” of five items.

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

Fortunately, it’s never too late to start improving your health. Many positive changes can be accomplished with just a few small adjustments to your lifestyle. Proper exercise and healthy choices mean more energy, sharper mental acuity, fewer aches and pains, and better sleep. If these promises were guaranteed by someone selling a stock or an investment, it would be crazy not to buy. Where to begin? What to do? When to do it? Unfortunately, when it comes to getting started, it’s much easier to come up with excuses than to push forward and get into those healthy choices. If you think of it in a business sense, you wouldn’t make a financial investment without doing a little background work, so do the same when it comes to health. Every week new fad diets are launched and quick fix pills appear, all as short-lived and disappointing as the ones before. Here’s your best bet: stick to five basics – eat breakfast, reduce time between meals, exercise, enjoy things in moderation, and get enough sleep. These ideas are simple, yet may be overlooked in the quest to get instant results in a fast-paced society. Why breakfast? It offers a jump-start for metabolism, while also providing fuel to get the day started, which allows you to function more effectively. If you skip breakfast, your body will store more of your next meal as fat to ensure that an energy reserve is available – something to avoid. Why reduce the time between meals? The longer you wait between meals, the more energy your body needs to store in order to replenish your fuel supplies. As mentioned above, our bodies store some fuel as excess fat, so if you eat smaller meals more often, your body will use

only what it needs and discard the rest. Exercise helps people keep lean by burning calories and replacing excess fat with lean and toned muscle tissue. Muscle burns calories; fat stores them. Exercise regularly. It can be as simple as walking or gardening, or as complex and demanding as rock climbing or whitewater canoeing. Here’s the key: include some form of exercise every day. Why should we enjoy treats – think sweets, alcohol, salt and fats – only in moderation? Humans overindulge either because we can, or because it is what we are used to doing. The items above are comfort foods and help keep us happy; you just need to go easy with them. Sleep is important. Our bodies are damaged and worn down during the course of a day. Sleep is our method of replenishing lost energy, while also repairing body systems for the next day. Adequate, quality sleep is absolutely essential for healthy living, no matter what other demands press in on your time. Never sacrifice it.

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FORTH PILATES

Pam Forth, BA – Pilates Teacher

PHOTO BY NATIONAL CAPITAL COMMISSION

ACE Certified, Osteopathic Doctor (candidate)

Pay close attention to these five areas. You’ll notice a difference – perhaps immediately. In the long term, taking active measures to improve your health will give purpose and meaning to your other investments, almost guaranteeing a happy retirement.

≈ Colin Peden has been involved in health and wellness counselling for many years. Having written for numerous publications and presented on many different topics, he is continually researching and learning the newest techniques in his field. He currently works with Executive Fitness Leaders.

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

How to hit the trail, running

PHOTO BY 5PEAKS TRAIL RUNNING SERIES

BY JOHN KLICH

“THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT running through the woods that appeals to the deeper being.” That observation came from Eric Martinat in these pages four years back. It’s still true today. Like any physical activity that requires mental focus, trail running connects the mind to the body, and natural surroundings reinforce that connection. To understand it, be aware of the unique physical demands that are involved. Anyone deciding to take their running off-road this season knows there are risks. The greatest involves falling, which can mean an ankle sprain or a skinned knee. However, falls occur a lot less frequently than risk of insect bites and poison vegetation that can leave you itchy and scratching. In rare instances, animals or mountain bikers may pose a threat. (Sometimes, it’s a jungle out there.) Despite these irritants, trail running can breathe new enthusiasm

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

into your stride and make you a better runner overall. With preparation and patience, the transition from road to trail can be both rewarding and safe. Trail running and road running have many similarities, but are not identical. Runners are faced with different physical demands as they move through forests, meadows, wilderness or backcountry areas, usually on singletrack dirt, rock, scrag and woodchip paths. These uneven surfaces have roots, logs, leaves, mud and rocks – a clutter that makes foot placement and weight transfer challenging. Climbs on a trail run can be steep, winding and frequent, with your whole body involved in maintaining balance and forward momentum. More muscle groups are at work, and because your metabolism is kicked up a notch, a trail run will feel much longer than a road run of equal distance. Recognizing and appreciating these demands can help anyone become a stronger and more efficient trail runner. The challenges also require more from the body in order to perform efficiently and safely. It’s not just running anymore, so it’s important for runners to assess their core strength, balance and agility. Your core is what connects your lower body to your upper body; as such, it’s the foundation for sport movement – running, jumping, throwing, lifting. It involves more than just “six pack abs,” but all the muscles you don’t see as they stabilize the pelvis and spine in every direction, not just in a crunch.

You can strengthen your core in many ways (e.g. yoga and Pilates), although some simple exercises are often all that is needed to do the trick. Traditional and one-legged variations of a push-up position are a good start to engaging your core. Hold the position for 20-30 seconds and repeat a few times. When working from your core, think balance. Good balance requires “proprioception” – the feedback system built into the body that tells you where it is in space. Using information from muscles, inner ears and eyes, the brain gets a picture of body position. Then neuromuscular response kicks in with the right combination of muscles acting with the right force to hold a body position. One simple balance exercise involves standing on one leg. Increase the difficulty by closing your eyes while standing. Or, stand on an unstable or uneven surface. Or, incorporate movement (e.g. jump from one leg to the other and hold the position). On trails, balance is the key to keeping your body from falling victim to gravity or momentum as you climb or descend a slope. With adequate core strength and balance, the next step to improving your running involves developing agility. Agility means being able to move in a controlled manner through a set pattern – like hopscotch. This is the start of the mind-body connection. Begin by going through a movement pattern slowly and deliberately, focusing on each step. The pattern can be something as simple as jumping back and forth across a line

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PHOTO BY 5PEAKS TRAIL RUNNING SERIES

Getting your core in shape will make the difference

on the ground. As you work through a pattern and the movement becomes more comfortable, slowly increase your speed. By practising patterns, you boost your ability to execute a movement with speed and power. On the trails, agility becomes cognitive. As you approach a technical section, you scan and pick a line to follow. Your strategy for foot placement will determine how much agility will be required to keep you moving forward at the speed you want. At this point, trail running is the cumulative application of all the physical attributes your body has to offer. Balance, agility, strength, endurance and power are harmonized into a whole body effort that is tempered by the mind’s ability to evaluate the surroundings and come up with the right physical response. The ability of your mind to coordinate the body is what determines how deeply you connect to your trail running experience. As the body responds to the terrain quickly and efficiently, the movement becomes more fluid. The mind and body begin to work together, and your run starts to “flow”

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– like a leaf moving smoothly over the surface of a river. As with any new activity, trail running requires acclimatization. It will take time to develop the physical attributes and the mental connection. Start off with a route that offers only mild challenges, like a woodchip trail in a park. As your body becomes stronger and your mind becomes more focused and in tune to

your body, you’ll feel more competent and confident on your feet. Then it’ll be time to move to more challenging terrain. Trail running. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a delight for many.

≈ John Klich is the southern Ontario race director for the 5Peaks Trail Running Series and an advanced care paramedic with Toronto’s emergency medical services. To contact him, write to john@5peaks.com

GEAR FOR TRAIL RUNNING Trail shoes differ from road shoes, which are built to provide cushioning and gait stability. Trail shoes are designed mainly to protect your feet and keep them where you put them. Reinforced toe boxes, stiffer soles with aggressive tread patterns, and different lacing systems are a few features you’ll find in a trail runner. Trail running can mean blisters and wet feet. Having the right socks can help avoid both, but socks are a very personal thing. It really comes down to wearing what works for you. Just make sure your socks fit well, and avoid cotton. It can cause blisters. Not many trails have drinking fountains nearby or convenience stores, so you’ll need something to carry water. Whether you choose bottles or bladders, be sure you carry enough fluid to stay hydrated. Other gear you might consider includes eye protection from branches, sunscreen, bug repellant, a whistle, and the ever-useful duct tape. If you wrap a metre of duct tape around a film canister containing your favourite pain reliever/antiinflammatory, you’ll be able to deal with several emergencies if they occur.

TRAIL RUNNING TIPS • • • • •

Use road running to build your endurance base. Begin with one trail run a week. Allow yourself time to integrate the trail experience into your program. Make the first step easy; try running on a woodchip trail in a park before anything tougher. Increase the duration of your trail runs before you increase the difficulty of the terrain. Run for time, rather than distance.

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

Enter our photo contest! SEND US your photos and win this all-weather Nikon CoolPix S2 camera! It’s 5.1mp and can be used in rain and other bad weather. Your photos have to be of an outdoor style, and people have to be in the shot. We’ll publish the top contenders. The best photos will be chosen from a panel of judges. There will be additional prizes for second and third place. E-mail your photo to photocontest@OttawaOutdoors.ca. Good luck!

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

URBANSPICE

A Sportable Feast Tapas treats for both ends of a Canadian spring BY JULIE ST. JEAN WHETHER YOU’RE HAVING the team over after a game or just kicking back with friends for lunch, brunch or cocktails, the whole experience opens out when you serve something to eat. Tapas style menus include appetizers that can form an entire meal, requiring a range of prepreparation from simple to elaborate. Items made ahead of time and eaten at room temperature make serving a crowd a pleasure. Make or buy a couple of interesting dips like hummus or baba ganouj, and serve with a rustic blend of breads and crackers. Mix a variety of olives with fresh lemon peel, garlic, sprigs of rosemary and your best olive oil to serve on the side. Grill some veggies, toss greens with balsamic, plate rich cheeses with fresh fruit and serve with a variety of heartier dishes to make it a feast. With these accompaniments, this menu should feed at least 10 hungry people. “Tortilla” is the name for this traditional Spanish-style omelet, which doesn’t use corn or flour tortillas. Serving the chorizo on the side, separate from the omelet, makes this a vegetarian-friendly dish. For variety, you can alternate the filling with about three cups of a pre-cooked group of your favourite ingredients. - 2 tbsp (30mL) butter or olive oil - 1 small onion, diced in 1-inch chunks - 1½ cup (375mL) potatoes, peeled, diced in 1-inch chunks and partially cooked* - 1 cup (250mL) roughly chopped mushroom (cremini, porcini, shiitake)** - 12 large eggs - ¼ cup (60mL) half-and-half cream - ½ tsp (2.5mL) kosher salt - a pinch fresh ground pepper - 1 cup (250mL) crumbled feta cheese Put oven rack in upper-middle position, and preheat broiler. Heat butter in a 10- to12inch non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook until softened and lightly browned – about 5 minutes. Add blanched potatoes and mushrooms. Cook about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until potatoes are tender and mushrooms are golden and have released their moisture. At this point the pan should be dry. Whisk eggs, cream, salt and pepper. Stir in crumbled feta. Pour egg mixture into skillet and cook using a spatula to scrape bottom of pan until large curds form and eggs are

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

PHOTO BY JULIE ST. JEAN

VEGETABLE SPANISH TORTILLA

still wet – about two minutes. Shake skillet to distribute eggs evenly. Cook eggs without stirring for one minute to let the bottom set. Place skillet under the broiler and cook until the mixture has risen, and the surface is lightly brown and set – three to four minutes. Watch carefully, as the heat from broilers varies. The eggs may still be a bit wet. Remove from oven and let stand at least ive minutes to finish cooking. Loosen sides of the tortilla. Place a cutting board or plate over tortilla and carefully flip over. Cut into wedges and serve with a spicy tomato sauce. It makes eight large or 12 small servings. *Potatoes: Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. Cook potatoes four to five minutes. Strain. **To re-hydrate dried mushrooms, submerge in boiling hot water for 10 minutes or until soft. Strain, reserving the tasty liquid for sauces, soup or stir-fries.

SPICY TOMATO SAUCE

Meant to be served with the tortilla, it also makes a great topping for pasta. - 2 tbsp (30mL) olive oil - 1 small onion, finely chopped - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 can (28 oz) tomatoes in juice - 1 tsp (5mL) hot red pepper flakes - 1 tsp (5mL) kosher or sea salt Heat olive oil in a large skillet or medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, cooking until soft and lightly golden. Crushing with your hand, add tomatoes with their juice, the hot pepper flakes and salt. Simmer, stirring occasionally until most of the liquid has evaporated and the sauce is thick. Makes about 2 cups

POACHED SHRIMP

This recipe is almost as quick as the infamous frozen “shrimp ring,” but much

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Peel shrimp, leaving tails attached for easy handling. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce. COCKTAIL SAUCE is simply a mixture of 4:1 ketchup, and prepared horseradish. LIME CILANTRO MAYO SAUCE - add to ¾ cup (180mL) of mayonnaise: - juice of 1 lime - ¼ cup (60mL) chopped cilantro - salt and pepper to taste. CHIPOTLE AIOLI SAUCE add to ¾ cup (180mL) of mayonnaise: - 1 clove minced garlic - 1 tbsp (15mL) Dijon mustard - 1 or 2 minced canned chipotle peppers in adobe sauce - salt and pepper to taste

TUSCAN BEAN SALAD

Seasoning the beans while they are still warm helps them absorb more flavour. - 2 cups (500mL) dried white beans (lima, pinto, great northern) - ½ cup (125mL) red wine vinegar - 2 cloves garlic, minced - ½ medium red onion, sliced thinly into slivers - ¼ cup (60mL) fresh sage leaves, sliced thinly (about eight leaves) - ¼ cup (60mL) high quality extra virgin olive oil - Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper Rinse beans, then soak them in a large bowl full of boiling hot water for one hour. Drain, add fresh water to cover by at least two inches, and simmer until beans are tender but not falling apart – about 45 minutes. Drain and toss the warm beans with vinegar, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Cool. Add onion, sage and olive oil. Garnish with fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano, aged at least two years. Serve at room temperature. Makes approximately 6 cups

WINE BRAISED CHORIZO

tastier and impressive when you make your own dipping sauce. - 1 bag frozen, easy peel (de-veined with shell on) shrimp 21-30 count, 8 cups (2L) water - 1 each carrot, celery, small onion, roughly chopped - 2 cloves garlic - 1 bay leaf - 1 tsp (5mL) whole peppercorns - half a lemon - ½ cup (125mL) white wine, sake or vermouth Bring water to a boil with all the ingredients in it, except the shrimp. Simmer 10-15 minutes until the water begins to take on some colour and flavour. Bring back to a rolling boil and add shrimp, cooking until they just turn pink. (This takes two to three minutes.) Strain and refresh in cold water to stop the cooking process.

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- 2 tbsp (30mL) olive oil - 1 small onion, sliced - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 4 chorizo sausages, sliced on a diagonal - 1 cup (250mL) red wine (Zinfandel or Sangiovese) In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and cook until lightly browned. Add garlic and chorizo, and cook stirring occasionally for five minutes. Add wine, cover with lid and continue to cook about 10 minutes until chorizo is done. Remove lid and simmer until most of the wine has evaporated. Makes 8-12 appetize- sized servings.

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OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

Fishing 101 An open water approach BY TIM ALLARD MY FREE TIME is often spent wetting a line in search of a school of fish and, with luck, the odd trophy. Being on the water is rejuvenating, and trying to solve the ever-changing “where are the fish” puzzle makes every outing unique and a fun challenge. Over the years, I’ve introduced many friends to the sport. Almost always they have a blast, and when they don’t it’s usually because of bad weather or the fish just weren’t biting (it happens). It doesn’t cost a lot to get started in fishing and if you’re often out in a canoe or kayak, it’s easy to turn your tour into a troll. If you’ve never fished before, it’s a good idea to find a friend who’s already “hooked.” Ask him or her to take you along. Most anglers will share their insight and fishing tips; just don’t expect waypoints to their best spots. Let’s look at some things you need to get started, because there’s no shortage of fishing opportunities in the Ottawa area.

OPEN WATER APPROACH

Most anglers prefer to fish from a boat. (I’ll cover shoreline fishing in the magazine’s Summer/Fall issue). One big advantage of a boat is you’re able to cover a lot of water, and with luck find more fish. A 14-foot aluminum boat is a staple at many cottages and a great, basic outfit for fishing. Canoes and kayaks are good to fish from too, but can be tricky in waves or wind. Rod holders, an anchor, and cushion seats can help customize your outfit for comfort and convenience. Also remember to carry the proper safety equipment (e.g. extra paddle, life jackets, a throw bag, a bailer and a noise device like a whistle).

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

WHAT’S OUT THERE

The Ottawa area is home to a variety of fish species. Small, scrappy panfish – rock bass, bluegills, sunfish, perch and crappie – are great to introduce children to fishing. Mostly found in shallow water and in good numbers, usually panfish are willing to bite. A small worm on a tiny hook, suspended below a small bobber, will fool them in most situations. Game fish, which are commonly targeted by serious anglers, include smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, pike and muskie. Trout species can be found in lakes within an hour’s drive of Ottawa. Other less sought-after game fish include catfish and carp.

GEAR AND TACKLE

Rods, reels, line and lures range from the basic to the specialized. Trying to sort out what to use can be a challenge, but your fishing friends will help. A 6½-foot, medium action spinning rod makes a good all-round rod. The medium action provides enough strength to land a big fish but also bends enough for the little ones. Match it with a reel spooled with six- to eight-pound test line. The rated test of a line is the amount of weight it can take before breaking, and six- to eight-pound line is a good choice for most game fish. When fishing with children, opt for a shorter rod to keep the combo’s weight down. My original outfit caught hundreds of fish, and although that specific combo is gone, I use a similar one to fish jigs (explained below). This rod and reel setup can cost around $100, with higheror lower-end models available too. When it comes to tackle and lures, the choices can seem endless when you factor in colours, sizes, styles and even smells or scents. However, there are some basics to get you started. My top three beginner baits are jigs, crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Jigs are hooks with weighted heads. To make them more appetizing to fish, they’re tipped with live bait or softplastic bodies. Plastics come in a variety of shapes, with minnow imitations or twister tails being popular choices. Jigs are great for fishing the bottom. Cast them out and reel them in, or let

them sink and then hop them along the bottom to imitate a scurrying minnow, insect or crayfish. Keep in mind that when you fish on the bottom, you risk getting snagged and you’ll occasionally lose a bait that won’t come free. Snags are one of the biggest problems for new anglers, but even professional anglers have to deal with them. If you don’t

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PHOTO BY ROBERT FAUBERT – www.holeriders.com

again is a great way to work these baits. The bigger the lip, the deeper they dive. Don’t buy a deep-diving bait if you want to stay off bottom. That said, a dynamite tactic is banging crankbaits over rocks to get the attention of nearby fish. Crankbaits are particularly effective when fishing for bass, walleye and pike, and are great trolling lures. Spinnerbaits or in-line spinners have hair or rubber skirt bodies as well as blades. These are great casting baits. When reeled in, the blades spin, creating flash and vibration, while the fine rubber or hair pulsates with a tempting tempo. Cast these baits around weeds and rocky areas, especially if it’s windy. They’ll fool almost any game fish out there and tiny models will take crappie and perch. Best of all, as long as you keep reeling with a steady retrieve, and don’t fish too shallow, it’s unlikely you’ll hit bottom.

HOOKING A FISH

A fish “bite” ranges from subtle to aggressive. When you feel a hit, it’s important to set the hook. Doing this well involves half art and half science. When a fish hits a bait, it isn’t necessarily hooked. Anglers need to tug on a tight line to ensure the hook takes hold in the fish’s mouth. Different fish and baits require different powered hooksets. In most cases a quick snap of the rod upward on a tight line will do.

PLAYING AND RELEASING A FISH

want to risk your new lures, simply fish with ones that stay off the bottom, like crankbaits or spinnerbaits. Crankbaits are hard-bodied, minnowlook-a-like lures with a round lip on their front. When you reel them in, the lip causes them to dive downward and makes them wiggle. Reeling in for a few seconds and then pausing before reeling

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Once it’s hooked, keep steady pressure on a fish. Let the rod absorb the fight, keeping it pointed at about 10 o’clock. If there’s no bend in the rod, the line can go slack and a fish might shake free. Don’t overtire fish, especially if you plan to release it. Land fish with a net (preferably rubber treated so as not to remove their protective slime). Wet your hands and be gentle when handling them. Stay away from their eyes and fragile gills. Carry a pair of needle-nose pliers to carefully remove hooks from fish. Follow this rule if taking a picture. Hold your breath when you bring the fish out of the water; when you need to breathe so does the fish, and the photo shoot is over.

KEEPING FISH

There’s nothing wrong with occasionally keeping a few fish for the table. It’s best to keep smaller species, which tend to be tastier than larger ones, but larger fish contribute more eggs during a spawn and will pass on their big-fish genes keeping population stocks healthy. Practising catch-and-release in over-fished urban areas is important to conserve the fishery. Dispatch fish quickly, and put them in a cooler on ice before cleaning them. Various books describe how to clean fish with step-by-step photographs. The Ministry of the Environment’s Guide to Eating Ontario Sport Fish provides recommendations on how often you should eat certain fish species from various regions in Ontario. It includes information for women of

FISHING LICENCES Ontario residents between 18 and 65 years of age need either a One Year Sport or Conservation Fishing Tag affixed to an Outdoors Card. Day licences are also available. For details visit: www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/fishing/ for the 2005-2006 Recreational Fishing Regulations Summary. For details on sport fishing in Quebec, visit: www.mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/english/publications/online/ wildlife/fishing-regulations/

TACKLE SHOPS Petrie Island Bait and Tackle, Ottawa, 841-0778 Sports Action, Ottawa, 741-0999 LeBaron Outdoor Products, Ottawa, 596-4415 Voyager Depot, Ottawa, 741-3161 Bits and Baits, Stittsville, 831-9799 Paddletales, Winchester, 774- 2277 Bennett’s Bait & Tackle, Smiths Falls, 283-0683 Bait Casters, Mississippi Lake, 264-9696 Manotick Bait & Tackle, Manotick, 692-4142

LINKS OF INTEREST Catch Fishing – www.catchfishing.com The Ottawa Valley Tourist Association – www.ottawavalley.org 800-757-6580 Visit www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/fishing/ottawa/ ottawariversites.htm for Ottawa urban angling spots.

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

OUTFITS FOR SPECIES SPECIES

LINE

ROD/REEL

LURES

(LB TEST)

2 to 4

• Small jigs (1/16 – 1/8 ounce) tipped with twister tail grubs, pieces of worm • Micro lures, like crankbaits

6-7 foot ultra light or light, spinning

2 to 4

• Small jigs (1/16 – 1/8 ounce) tipped with twister tail grubs, or tinsel, pieces of worm • Micro lures, like crankbaits • Small in-line spinners

SMALLMOUTH BASS

6-7 foot light to medium, spinning or baitcast

6 to 8

• Jigs (1/8 – 1/4 ounce) with twister tails or tubes • Spinnerbaits and in-line spinners • Crankbaits

LARGEMOUTH BASS

6-7 foot, mediumheavy to heavy spinning or baitcast

8 to 14

• Jigs (1/8 – 1/4 ounce) with twister tails or tubes • Spinnerbaits and in-line spinners • Big plastic baits, like lizards or worms between 4-7 inches

PIKE

6-7 foot, mediumheavy to heavy spinning or baitcast

8 to 14 (with a steel leader)

WALLEYE

6-7 foot light to medium, spinning

6 to 8

• Jigs (1/8 – 1/4 ounce) with twister tails or tubes • Crankbaits

RAINBOW OR BROOK TROUT

6-7 foot ultra light or light, spinning

4 to 6

• In-line spinners • Small spoons • Jigs (1/8 – 1/4 ounce) with twister tails or tubes

CATFISH

6-7 foot light to medium, spinning

6 to 8

• Circle hook with a minnow, several worms or chicken liver

SUNFISH & BLUEGILLS

5-6 foot ultra light, spinning

BLACK CRAPPIE & PERCH

childbearing age and children under 15. The guide is available at LCBO and beer stores.

COOKING FISH

You don’t need to be fancy when cooking fresh fish. Placing fillets in tinfoil and folding the edges for a tight seal before broiling is my favourite way to cook fish at home. I prepare foil fish with diced onions, garlic, a few lemon slices, and olive oil or a bit of butter. Adding an oil-based salad dressing,

• Spinnerbaits and in-line spinners • Spoons • Crankbaits

drop them in the pan for a few minutes on each side. It’s tough to beat the smell and sound of sizzling fillets over a campfire, not to mention the taste.

other spices, or vegetables are additional ways to play with the taste. Cook the package on high heat (400-425 F or 205-225 C), and allow roughly 10 minutes of cooking time per inch of thickness of fish. When cooking over a fire, fry fish in a cast iron pan so you can monitor how quickly they cook. Use a bit of butter or bacon grease. Some people use oil for a true fish fry. To prepare the fish, dip fillets in a milk or egg mixture, roll them in flour or breadcrumbs, and then

OTTAWA AREA HOTSPOTS

PHOTO BY TIM ALLARD

SMALLMOUTH BASS

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

There are many fishing opportunities in the nation’s capital with the Ottawa and Rideau rivers running through the city, and the Gatineau coming in from the north. Renfrew and Lanark counties hold dozens of lakes and rivers worth exploring. Quebec also features many opportunities for Ontario residents with a non-resident Quebec licence. Tackle shops and tourism contacts can provide maps and tips on where and when to fish. If you’re really eager to learn, hire a fishing guide for an instructional day on the water. To introduce children, consider some of the activities associated with National Fishing Week, July 1-9. There are also fishing clubs in Ottawa eager for new members.

≈ Tim Allard is an avid fisherman and outdoor enthusiast who has written for Ottawa Outdoors on many occassion.

www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

GOLFTIPS

Basic Bunker Play SANDY BUT CLEAR BY DALE PEDERSEN RULE NUMBER 1: Use a sand wedge. If you don’t have one, get one. You need it. A sand wedge is designed to bounce through the sand, not dig like your pitching wedge, so that will solve one problem. Now take your new wedge, lay the face of the club open and holding the club with your right hand only, try splashing some sand out of a practice bunker. You will quickly realize that with the club laid open it can’t dig in. This is a great practice tip that is helpful in making you realize that you can (and must) hit the sand every time before you hit the ball. With the club laid open, or pointed to the right, it is important to make a compensation in your alignment. Open your stance so your feet, hips and shoulders all point to the left of your target, keeping in mind that you’re trying to balance or offset the openness of your club. If your club is aimed 10 feet right of the target, then aim your entire body 10 feet left of the target. This will help ensure the ball goes towards its target. Once you get accustomed to the open setup, make sure you swing the club along your body alignment, not towards the target. Practise hitting the sand several inches behind the ball, and make sure you continue moving the club through the sand after contact. The two worst things you can do are: (1) not hit the sand, or (2) stop the club at impact. With the proper setup and a little practice, you’ll soon find that escaping the sand is easy.

Trouble with the driver KEEP YOUR HEAD BEHIND BY MARC PETERSON EVERY TIME YOU hit the driver it is a push fade or a slice. A common fault in the golf swing is to position your upper body ahead of the golf ball at impact. By doing this you will be crowded at impact making it almost impossible to extend your arms and square the clubface. (top photo) A key move in the golf swing is to bring 70 per cent of your weight on the front foot at impact while keeping your upper body behind the ball. (lower photo) By keeping your upper body behind the ball your arms will react and extend through the hitting area. Good extension will give you solid contact, and help you square the club face, resulting in better consistency. Remember, keep your head behind the ball at impact and improve your accuracy.

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

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Stay comfortable if you rush the season BY JOHN HOWISON SOMETIMES THE ITCH to go camping early in the season can strike pretty hard when you get hit by those warm spring breezes. Though it can be expensive to gear up with four-seasons garb and gear, you can still turn a weekend of wishing into a weekend of camping without going broke. Here are some tips and low-cost equipment ideas to get you started.

A CANDLE LANTERN

While superficially these may not seem like the safest or smartest of accessories to bring along, when used safely they can do wonders to warm up the inside of a tent. After dinner is over and everything is stowed away, lighting a candle lantern behind the zipped-up doors of your tent can make a world of difference to warm up the cool air trapped inside. The lanterns are intended for hanging, and doing so is safe and easy. Many tents have short fabric loops attached to the roof, and that’s where to hook the lantern handle. If there is no loop, or a candle that close to the roof makes you uneasy, a longer string can be tied to the roof and the lantern hung on that (keep loose ends short). They give off plenty of light, certainly

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

enough for reading, and in the warmer air it’s much easier to curl up with a good book.

A TARP

An 11’ x 15’ tarp from Canadian Tire for about $20 can turn your twoor three-season tent into a 3.5-season tent. Depending on weather, a tarp can be draped over a tent to help keep rain, sleet, late snow or wind off and out of your tent; and it can be used as a ground sheet to separate you from the soggy cold ground below the tent floor. If it’s already cool outside, the last thing you want is to fret about brushing up against a wet tent wall. A tarp over the top can prevent this.

A THICK BLANKET

Bring one along to place between your sleeping bag and your sleeping pad. It will not only serve the obvious purpose of further insulating you from the ground, but add much appreciated cushioning. A warm, familiar blanket can make you feel a little less cut off from your warm, cozy home.

A GENEROUS ASSORTMENT OF TREATS

Remember how easily and conscience-free those treats slide down on a summer camping trip? Well, they go down even easier on an early spring outing. In colder weather your body burns much more energy. Don’t be shy. If you usually bring two chocolate bars, this time bring four!

A CAMPSITE AS YOUR FREEZER

As opposed to summer, when meals with eggs and meat are only possible on the first day, cooler weather allows you to bring more perishables and have tastier, fresher meals. The likelihood of meat, veggies or fresh fruit going bad is negligible in spring when temperatures mimic those found inside your refrigerator. (This reality may be hard on your toes, but good for your belly.) A pre-prepared beef stew in a resealable

container should stay good in a sealed container for as long as it would in your fridge. This means you can prepare more meals ahead of time, and eat perishables further into the trip.

A WARM ATTITUDE FROM WARM TOES

Whether skiing or hiking or doing pretty much anything outside, if your toes are cold you’re probably not having a great time. On the other side, warm toes can greatly enhance the experience. When you’re curling up at night there are two easy methods to warm up feet even without an expensive winter sleeping bag. The first is the hot water bottle – tried and true, and not obsolete yet. Heat up some water over your fire or on your stove, pour it into a Nalgene or other durable water bottle and place it in the bottom of your sleeping bag before you crawl in. Not only will this warm up your toes and bag, but you save yourself trouble in the morning with a ready-to-drink bottle of water (assuming you boiled it for three to five minutes the night before). Alternatively, a couple of mitt-warmers designed for skiing can have the same effect, though they cost more, create garbage and lack the nostalgic punch of a hot water bottle.

A WEATHER EYE

As always before heading out, check the forecast for your destination. If you think you can handle cooler temperatures but the forecast calls for rain and low temperatures as well, think twice. Terrible weather isn’t much fun at the best of times, and can be worse if you’re pushing your comfort zone in the spring. Early spring makes a great time to camp. Try it!

≈ John is an avid outdoor enthusiast whose favourite outdoor activities are downhill skiing and camping, and during the summer working as a tree planter.

www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

ILLUSTRATION BY WILLIAM JESSUP, PHOTO BY MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT COOP.

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BY ALLEN MACARTNEY ILLUSTRATION BY KEITH MILNE

THE LAST BISCUIT

Serenity and lifethreatening decisions in a solo canoe “DON’T DO IT! DON’T BE SUCKERED!” My words bellowed over the water, into the teeth of a black, evillooking storm. Across a half-kilometre stretch of open lake water, I could see my island campsite totally exposed as the maelstrom approached. Never had I seen such a boiling, lightning-studded sky, stretching from horizon to horizon. And my tent door stood as wide open as when I left it hours before. My eight-day solo canoe trip was supposed to be a gentle, rejuvenating time to refocus life in peaceful, unhurried surroundings. In a flash, it had come down to a single, tension-filled decision: Should I attempt to race across the channel ahead of the storm just to rescue my campsite? Could I make it? A self-preservation siren screamed in my brain. For a second my paddle hung suspended above the foaming, choppy water. My arm and shoulder muscles tensed. Every fibre wanted to plunge the paddle blade downwards and head across the channel. But I knew I’d never make it to the island. “Forget the campsite!” I shouted to myself. “Let it go!” Hesitantly, slowly, with an air of almost regret, my paddle descended into the water. It dug deep before executing a graceful sweep, turning the canoe into a nearby sheltered cove. Forty-five seconds later the storm exploded onto the lake. Visibility dropped in moments from a spectacular 40 kilometres to 50 metres. Such devastating force I’ve never experienced in decades of wilderness adventures. Blasts of thunder echoed off rock. The granite shoreline protected me from most of the storm’s fury and for the next half hour I lay on the shore huddled under my canoe as black clouds pelted its upturned belly with giant raindrops, then dime-sized hailstones. Even here I wrestled with fierce gusts that threatened to tear the canoe from my grasp. I peered out at the tortured water channel separating the cove from my island campsite. Mean gusts whipped across the white-capped surface, ripping the tops off waves, vapourizing them instantly. I shivered not from cold, but from the thought of what would have happened had I disregarded common sense. 52

OTTAWAOUTDOORS SPRING/SUMMER 2006

Yet the day had begun so differently: blue sky, calm winds, quiet lapping waves, and a sandy beach stretching away with no signs of humanity. Half-way through my solo canoe retreat I had decided to spend a day exploring the far corners of this huge lake of scalloped bays. Hours later, I lay facing south and baking under a hot sun, peace and contentment settling deeply into my bones. Life was great. Then a shadow swept overhead, and I turned to see blackness approaching fast from the north. The Magellan GPS lying nearby said my campsite lay precisely 4.7 kilometres away. Could I make it in time? I raced for the canoe.

DAMAGE CONTROL

The storm raged for a full hour around the cove where I sheltered under the canoe, until the black clouds slipped away over the horizon, leaving complete calm. When I finally crossed the channel, my campsite was a mess. A tall pine had fallen only 15 metres from my everfaithful Eureka tent – its door flapping open. Here are four lessons this experience taught me: • When paddling on water or when walking in the woods, always trust warning sirens that sound in your head. Common sense switches them on for a reason. • Before leaving camp for a day trip, zip up your tent and firmly anchor down any loose flaps or flies. • Carry a dry bag in your canoe for day trip essentials. At a minimum, pack a large zip-lock bag for your camera and other valuables. • A lifejacket provides warmth, whether you’re huddled under a canoe during a wild storm, or sitting around a campfire on a cool, fall night.

≈ Allen Macartney is the managing editor of Ottawa Outdoors Magazine, and an avid camper, cyclist and hiker.

www.OttawaOutdoors.ca

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Issue #13 - Ottawa Outdoors Magazine

Articles inside

Serenity and lifethreatening decisions in a solo canoe

Spring beckons the camper

Basic Bunker Play SANDY BUT CLEAR

Fishing 101

A Sportable Feast Tapas treats for both ends of a Canadian spring

How to hit the trail, running