OBC’s largest and best-known event is the Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour (RLCT). Passing through picturesque countryside between Ottawa and Kingston, Ontario, the RLCT attracts cyclists from all over North America for an unforgettable cycling experience.
RLCT Info Session – March 24
We’re hosting an information session on Tuesday, March 24 from
The 53rd edition of the Ottawa Bicycle Club’s Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour (RLCT) is scheduled for June 6-7, 2026. With up to 1000 cyclists, this two-day event is one of the largest such events in Canada. Cyclists start in either Ottawa or Perth and ride to Kingston on Saturday, then return on Sunday. The Ottawa Bicycle Club provides luggage transfer to and from Kingston for all participants.
There are four road routes and two gravel routes with one-way lengths of 118km to 209km. All routes go through the scenic countryside of the Rideau Valley passing many picturesque lakes and historic towns. On the supported routes, (the Classic and the Century+), the Ottawa Bicycle Club works with community groups to provide refreshments and food at official rest stops where it also provides water and toilets. Mobile repair services, police supervision at major intersections, and other services are provided on the supported routes – see the routes page
Accommodations at Queen’s University
Enhance your Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour experience with an overnight stay on the stunning, historic waterfront campus of Queen’s University in Kingston. For RLCT 2026, most participants will be accommodated in Queen’s newer residence buildings, including Endayann-Tkanonsote, Brant House, Leggett Hall, and Watts Hall—offering modern comfort in a relaxed collegiate setting.
Participants will stay in “single plus” accommodations, consisting of two adjoining private single rooms with a shared washroom. This thoughtful layout provides both privacy and convenience, while fostering the camaraderie that defines the RLCT experience.
To help you familiarize yourself with the campus, Queen’s offers a comprehensive interactive campus map.
Detailed residence floor plans are available here.
A dedicated RLCT Kingston Arrival Map will also be provided, clearly outlining arrival points and key event locations across campus.
Accommodations for non-riding guests
Companions and non-riding guests are welcome to stay at Queen’s University.
- $100 for Ottawa Bicycle Club (OBC) members
- $115 for non-members
To arrange accommodations, please contact the OBC office at 
admin@ottawabicycleclub.ca
Dining included
Your stay includes a buffet dinner and breakfast, allowing you to relax, refuel, and enjoy the social atmosphere of the Tour. Queen’s University is able to accommodate certain dietary restrictions; please be sure to indicate any requirements during registration.
Arrival & room access
Upon arrival on campus, participants will receive their room key or key card at the designated RLCT welcome desks.
All keys and cards must be returned on Sunday morning (please do not leave them in your room).
Replacement fees apply for items not returned:
- $15 for a key card
- $125 for a physical key
A goal of the OBC is to minimize the environmental impact to the Rideau Lakes Cycle Tour. For this, we buy carbon offsets for the support vehicle’s GHG emissions and we no longer supply individual bottles of water but only use piped water or large returnable water bottles. If people choose not to get an event T-shirt, the money saved is donated to a local Ottawa charity.
Volunteers are needed before and during the event. Some volunteer tasks can be done even if you are riding the tour. For more information on volunteer tasks go to the volunteers page. From there, you can sign up through i-volunteer.
