Cindy Jamieson loves the outdoors.
She wants to bring that love to other people.
“I’m bringing cycle tourism to the Ottawa Valley,” she said. “It’s a growing market.”
Valley Cycle Tours is a division of Jamieson Tours and Travel in Beachburg, which is owned by her father Art Jamieson.
There are two disciplines for the tours, she said. There is the single track mountain biking and then the biking guided tour, each includes accommodation.
Ms. Jamieson said not to worry about getting tired during the guided tours, as there will be a van for support, so you can rest.
There are also two guides with each tour, she noted.
Valley Cycle Tours is offering three tours: Weekend Getaway, Ontario Highlands and Valley Trails.
But there’s also opportunity to cycle on area trails. By July, it’s expected there will be a small fleet of cycles to rent along with maps, so people without bikes can also enjoy this new tourism, she said.
“Our rural back roads are amazing,” Ms. Jamieson said. “They’re very scenic with lots of farmland. You won’t be riding on busy roads.”
The property owners have been generous with giving permission to go on their lands, she said.
She knows of many people who have gone to Europe to cycle tour, so is hopeful, not only will people cycle tour the Ottawa Valley, but that Europeans will come here and enjoy cycle touring.
This is the first year for the cycle tours and Ms. Jamieson is excited.
She noted Calabogie Peaks and Wilderness Tours have been supportive of this venture, working with Valley Cycle Tours to provide packages.
There has to be at least five people per cycle tour and no more than 10, Ms. Jamieson said. People sign up, either alone or as a group, she said.
“We want to make this a nice experience for people,” she said.
The cost of the trip includes all accommodation, good, healthy food, the van, two guides and transportation.
The good thing about the cycle tours, is all the commodations are waterfront cabins and come with many amenities.
Cycle tours are not offered anywhere else in the Ottawa Valley, Ms. Jamieson said.
For those who want to try it, Ms. Jamieson is leading a free, cycle tour the last Wednesday of each month. The first one is next Wednesday, May 27 at 6:30 p.m. Meet at the Whitewater Brewery, which is located at the end of Fletcher Road off Grants Settlement Road.
Ms. Jamieson said the cycle tour is an opportunity to meet new people and enjoy socializing as well.
The trails in the area are created and maintained by BORCA (Beachburg Off Road Cycling Association).
“It’s an opportunity to showcase the BORCA trails,” she said. “They so pretty and many of the trails follow the river.”
For more information on these tours, go to Valley Cycle Tours.com or call 613-582-7011.
