The 2026 Hospital Fundraiser Bicycle Ride

Introduction

On May 3, 2026 I participated in the CN Cycle for CHEO fundraiser bicycle ride for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Last year’s event was my first time participating, and I had done the 70 km route. This year I chose the 94.4 km route, also known as the Century Ride, to give myself a challenge.

The route

The Century Ride route roughly looks like a capital H, with the starting line at the middle of the horizontal bar. We headed west, then north up the left vertical bar into Gatineau, including a big climb up to Pink Lake, then reversed course back into Ottawa and south to the bottom of the aforementioned left bar. We reversed course once again and headed east along the horizontal bar, and then south along the right vertical bar to Dow’s Lake and Hog’s Back Park. Going north along the right bar we went to the end of the Promenade Sir George Étienne Cartier, and finally reversed course back down to the horizontal bar and back to the starting point.

Century Ride route

How the ride unfolded

Pink Lake climb

I arrived at Le Breton Flats in downtown Ottawa shortly after 6:30 am, and was in the Century Ride’s second departure wave just after 7:00 am. The ride started slowly as the group gradually dispersed. We entered Gatineau Park, which I know well, and before I knew it I was at the massive 7.5% grade hill that leads to Pink Lake (the longest and steepest one of the route). I have climbed this hill many times, but never as part of an almost 95 km ride. Once at the top I quickly caught my breath then reversed course and zipped downhill. By this point the group had mostly dispersed (at least where I was) and there was starting to be space both ahead and behind me. Despite being less than 15 km into the ride, my legs were already quite sore from the climb, and there were still 80 km to go.

Dow’s Lake/Hog’s Back Park

While climbing a relatively gentle hill, I temporarily lost my focus and bumped my front tire against a small concrete barrier, causing me to take a spill. My bicycle and I were fortunately unhurt (save for my pride), and a friendly fellow participant waited with me while I righted myself, reset my chain and got back on the road. From that point onwards there was a favourable tailwind, which allowed me to maintain a high speed over distances I had never before covered at that speed.

Promenade Sir George Étienne Cartier and finish

I carried that speed onto the first half of the Promenade Sir George Étienne Cartier section, a stretch of road I have trained on many times. The return was much more difficult as the tailwind became a headwind, and my speed dropped considerably. Nonetheless, with about 20 km to go I knew I could finish strong, and kept pushing hard until my return to LeBreton Flats, completing the route in three hours, 37 minutes without stopping at any rest stations (there was no official timekeeping, and each rider times themselves if desired).

What I learned

While it was good to get the Pink Lake climb out of the way early, it also meant dealing with sore legs for the rest of the route, due largely to my decision to push myself by not using any of the rest stations. Fortunately I am in my element on my road bicycle, and know how to push through fatigue, a good though not indispensable skill for recreational long-distance cycling. Upon dismounting at the end I immediately felt the soreness in my rear end, which had not been as apparent while in motion, and which made it hard to walk or even sit. This experience taught me what I am capable of (as well as the importance of taking breaks the next time I do a 100+ km ride).

Before this day I had never held a speed of 30 km/h or above for more than a few hundred meters (not counting downhills). Thanks to the tailwind I picked up shortly after my fall, I astoundingly managed to hold that speed for about 20 km, another example of learning what I am capable of.

While generally not advisable to try new things on the day of an event, I broke that rule by eating sports gels (the kinds that athletes use to quickly get energy on the go) while in motion on my bicycle for the first time. With my right hand on the handlebars, I reached into my back jersey pocket with my left, felt around, took out a pre-opened pack of gels, and squeezed them out one at a time into my mouth. This skill, along with drinking while in motion, is great for fueling without having to stop.

Final thoughts

The Century Ride was great preparation for the upcoming Ottawa Ironman Triathlon on August 2, and was also the longest distance I have cycled without the benefit of drafting behind another rider. I learned a lot about my abilities and limitations on a bicycle, which will hopefully serve me well in August. On top of that, I helped raise money for a good cause, and took part in an event with over 6,000 other fitness enthusiasts.

Stay tuned to hear how my first marathon goes on May 24!