A Cyclist’s DNA
*Behind every menu, product and experience, you’ll find passionate people and their stories. Discover these proud Outaouais ambassadors!
Patrick Tremblay’s legs have racked up a lot of kilometres. A seasoned cyclist and cycling ambassador for the Outaouais, this enthusiast is a member of the local cycling team Les Rouleurs Polo Vélo. If there’s one person who’s in a good position to talk about Gatineau’s cycling network, it’s him!
Square One
It’s been over 20 years since Patrick discovered cycling. However, before he took up road cycling, it was mountain biking that appealed to him.
“One day, a friend of mine asked me to take part in a mountain bike competition with him. I said yes without really knowing what I was getting into. I left in the morning with a sandwich in my pocket,” recalls Patrick. To his surprise, the 90-km race was much longer and more difficult than he’d anticipated, and it took him 7 hours. Goodbye, sandwich …
After this ordeal, Patrick began to listen to other cyclists’ advice and connected with the avid cycling community in Gatineau and throughout the Outaouais. He quickly got hooked on road cycling, which he’d been doing as training for mountain biking.
“It’s so liberating,” says Patrick. He particularly appreciates the feeling of calm and lightness he experiences after an intense road biking session in Gatineau Park.
An Accessible And Diversified Network
“What’s fun about the region is that it’s ideal for all types of cyclists,” says Patrick.
As he sees it, Gatineau’s cycling network is unique in that it’s accessible to and appropriate for a wide range of cyclists. In fact, you don’t have to travel long distances or break speed records to become a cycling enthusiast in the region. “Competitive, recreational or family cycling, it’s up to you!”
The location of the various bike paths also contributes to the network’s accessibility: no matter where you are in Gatineau, you’re never far from a bike path. This is one of the factors that helped Gatineau win the title of Canada’s best bike city.
Even if you’re not an elite cyclist like Patrick, there are tons of options for exploring the region on two wheels. The City of Gatineau has more than 300 km of recreational trails, so hop on your bike and set out to discover the cycling network. Ready, set, go!
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Discover more inspiring profiles on our Ambassadors page!
