2025 Grand Départ
2024 Grand Depart, Photo: Chris George
Save the date!
Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM
Location: Almonte/Mississippi Mills, Ontario
Details on how to submit a "Letter of Intent" will be forthcoming. Please follow us on Social Media and/or watch this page for updates.
Details will be similar to those for the 2024 Grand Depart. See Navigation Bar to the left.
Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM
Location: Almonte/Mississippi Mills, Ontario
Details on how to submit a "Letter of Intent" will be forthcoming. Please follow us on Social Media and/or watch this page for updates.
Details will be similar to those for the 2024 Grand Depart. See Navigation Bar to the left.
Why ride in a Grand Depart?
When you set out on the Log Driver's Waltz as part of a Grand Depart you will find yourself to be part of a group of bikepackers who have met up to ride at the same time but none-the-less riding in a self supported manner.
The Grand Départ is an opportunity to meet other bikepackers and share a common experience. It is a participation event. There is no registration, no support, no insurance and no prizes. It is not a race or organized event. Each rider assumes complete responsibility for their own safety.
Leaving together adds excitement!
The Grand Depart date is set well in advance. Signing up to ride is a commitment to yourself that you will show up on that day. Hopefully you will find that will help with motivation to train and get your bike and gear together. With the date set in advance riders must plan to thrive in what might be less than optimal weather and deal with last minute reroutes as required.
Challenge by Choice:
This year there are again three distances to choose from: 800 km, 380 km and 1600 km. Nobody has completed the 1600 km Rewind, who will be the first?
This is not a race, but some riders are motivated to test themselves against the route under defined conditions. These riders may have their time recorded and should follow the self supported "rules" for either solo or pairs.
Riders are encouraged to "tour" the route if that is their preference. There is no time limit for riding the route. Riders may choose their own pace and may make their own choices about how closely they follow the route, and whether they ride in a pair. a group or solo.
The Grand Depart is very much challenge by choice..
When you have read everything on this page and are ready to commit, please indicate your intention to ride in the Grand Départ by completing this form. The form can also be found embedded at the bottom of this page.
Can I ride the LDW if I am not in the Grand Depart?
Absolutely! Grand Departs aren't everyone's "cup of tea" nor logistically possible for everyone. Riders are welcome to tour the route at any time of their own choosing or ride it as an unsupported time trial.
The LDW "Full" Route (800 km):
The Log Drivers Waltz is an 800 km route with 7267 metres of climbing according to RWGPS. The actual amount of climbing, based on data from many riders is closer to 9500 metres. See more information on the first three pages of this website. Riders are welcome to ride the route anytime of the year between May 15 and November 15 as this is when the trails in the Gatineau Park are open to bikes.
The Grand Départ version of the route will be finalized, barring last minute construction or other trail or road closures, two weeks before the ride. Please use the existing route maps on https://www.logdriverswaltz.ca/ for planning purposes.
Solo or Pair?
Riders may ride alone, in pairs, or small groups, it is entirely up to them. One of our goals is to make the Log Driver's Waltz and bikepacking in general accessible and riding as a pair can provide a level of comfort and security. Many riders enjoy the thrill of a solo self supported ride and that works, too!
Often riders meet up with others progressing at about the same pace and will form loose alliances that last a few hours or days. It can add to the experience.
Fastest Known Time (FKT):
Riders interested in riding the route as quickly as they can should consult the Fastest Known Times page for more information.
When you set out on the Log Driver's Waltz as part of a Grand Depart you will find yourself to be part of a group of bikepackers who have met up to ride at the same time but none-the-less riding in a self supported manner.
The Grand Départ is an opportunity to meet other bikepackers and share a common experience. It is a participation event. There is no registration, no support, no insurance and no prizes. It is not a race or organized event. Each rider assumes complete responsibility for their own safety.
Leaving together adds excitement!
The Grand Depart date is set well in advance. Signing up to ride is a commitment to yourself that you will show up on that day. Hopefully you will find that will help with motivation to train and get your bike and gear together. With the date set in advance riders must plan to thrive in what might be less than optimal weather and deal with last minute reroutes as required.
Challenge by Choice:
This year there are again three distances to choose from: 800 km, 380 km and 1600 km. Nobody has completed the 1600 km Rewind, who will be the first?
This is not a race, but some riders are motivated to test themselves against the route under defined conditions. These riders may have their time recorded and should follow the self supported "rules" for either solo or pairs.
Riders are encouraged to "tour" the route if that is their preference. There is no time limit for riding the route. Riders may choose their own pace and may make their own choices about how closely they follow the route, and whether they ride in a pair. a group or solo.
The Grand Depart is very much challenge by choice..
When you have read everything on this page and are ready to commit, please indicate your intention to ride in the Grand Départ by completing this form. The form can also be found embedded at the bottom of this page.
Can I ride the LDW if I am not in the Grand Depart?
Absolutely! Grand Departs aren't everyone's "cup of tea" nor logistically possible for everyone. Riders are welcome to tour the route at any time of their own choosing or ride it as an unsupported time trial.
The LDW "Full" Route (800 km):
The Log Drivers Waltz is an 800 km route with 7267 metres of climbing according to RWGPS. The actual amount of climbing, based on data from many riders is closer to 9500 metres. See more information on the first three pages of this website. Riders are welcome to ride the route anytime of the year between May 15 and November 15 as this is when the trails in the Gatineau Park are open to bikes.
The Grand Départ version of the route will be finalized, barring last minute construction or other trail or road closures, two weeks before the ride. Please use the existing route maps on https://www.logdriverswaltz.ca/ for planning purposes.
Solo or Pair?
Riders may ride alone, in pairs, or small groups, it is entirely up to them. One of our goals is to make the Log Driver's Waltz and bikepacking in general accessible and riding as a pair can provide a level of comfort and security. Many riders enjoy the thrill of a solo self supported ride and that works, too!
Often riders meet up with others progressing at about the same pace and will form loose alliances that last a few hours or days. It can add to the experience.
Fastest Known Time (FKT):
Riders interested in riding the route as quickly as they can should consult the Fastest Known Times page for more information.
If you enjoyed the Log Driver's Waltz or our other routes, please consider helping us cover the costs of developing and maintaining the route files and website. Thanks!
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Please tell your friends all about your experience on the Log Driver's Waltz and encourage them to try it! Thanks!