Common Empire

Common Empire

Find your next adventure

FIND US OUTSIDE.

Common Empire is a community built around the simple joy of riding bikes and the connections it creates. From weekly road rides, to gravel adventures and weekend coffee spins, to overnight bikepacking trips, we bring people together through shared experiences on two wheels. Our rides celebrate the freedom of the open road, the challenge of the climb, and the stories that unfold along the way.

WEEKLY SUMMER RIDE SERIES

A large group of cyclists wearing helmets and athletic clothing posing with their bikes on a scenic overlook during sunrise or sunset, with a view of the landscape and a leafless tree in the background.

PARK LOOPS

  • Our weekly group ride in the Gatineau Park focused on skills, performance and good times.

  • The original Common Empire Group Ride!

    For anyone new, we ride the traditional counter clockwise route, up to the Champlain Lookout via Fortune Rd, and back down to P3 via the Champlain Parkway. If this is your first week, please make sure you’re arriving early to go through the safety and ride etiquette chat. Please don’t forget to sign the waiver form!

    Details:
    Arrival time: 5:45pm
    Start time: 6:00-6:15pm
    Meeting at: P3 in the Gatineau Park.
    Type: Road ride
    Style: Multiple categories
    Distance: 41.64km
    Elevation: 702M

    Find your group: We break up the ride into categories and groups of 10, to ensure you’re riding in the right group, while keeping it as safe as possible. The goal is for everyone to have fun no matter the pace of the ride!

    Paces: *it’s important that you select the correct group to keep everyone together.
    A - Fast - Drop Ride (regroups at P8 & Champlain Lookout) Avg 35kph+ -
    B - Medium Pace 1 - Tempo (regroups at the top of hills and any of the stops) 31-34 kph
    C- Medium Pace 2 - Tempo (regroups at the top of hills and any of the stops) 28-30kph
    D- Chill Group - Zone 1-2 (if requested) 26-27kph

    Some safety reminders:
    Give other riders room when passing
    DO NOT CROSS THE YELLOW LINE
    keep your group together
    Regroup locations.
    shoulder to shoulder
    No half wheeling.
    Call out hazards
    Communication + predictability = fun

    What to bring:
    A helmet
    Lights
    Pump
    Spare tube
    Water
    Snack

A group of cyclists riding on a winding road through a wooded area during dusk or dawn, with their rear lights on.

DATCRCR

  • What’s DATCRCR? It’s the Don’t Attack the Coffee Ride, Coffee Ride! Pace is chill and the vibes are high!

    • 41.06km Distance

    • 594m Elevation Gain

    • Mixed Terrain Ride Type

    • 1:32:47 Est. Moving Time

    DESCRIPTION:
    Welcome to the weekly DATCRCR! What happens when you attack the coffee ride? Well, coffee is on you! (All jokes of course.)

    This is a no-drop ride, but the speed will average between 26-29km/hr depending on the group.

    Come join the group and bring those positive vibes!

    FIRST RIDE?
    For your first CE ride, we ask that you arrive 10 minutes early to go through riding safety instructions.

    GROUPS:
    We break up the ride into categories and groups of 10-15, to ensure you’re riding in the right group, while keeping it as safe as possible. The goal is for everyone to have fun no matter the pace of the ride!

    A - Fast - This is a fast paced group however there will be regroups throughout the ride route. Avg speed 28-30kph at the end of the ride.
    B - Medium - Tempo (medium paced groups at traffic lights and stops - keep everyone together). Avg speed 26-27kph at the end of the ride.
    C - Chill - 25kph (if requested)

    WHAT TO BRING:
    - A helmet
    - Lights
    - Pump
    - Spare tube
    - Water
    - Snack
    - Debit/credit card
    - We hope to see you there!!

City skyline with river in foreground, cyclists on a bridge, and industrial buildings in the distance with smoke.

RISE & RIDE

  • Our weekly coffee ride that kicks off the day with good company, quiet roads, and strong coffee vibes at Little Victories.

    • 38.96km Distance

    • 428m Elevation Gain

    • Road Ride Type

    • 1:28:03 Est. Moving Time

    Join Ottawa’s weekly cafe ride. The goal of this ride is to connect the the nations capital cycling community, on a social and fun ride where you get to know your fellow riders. This is a free ride and everyone is welcome to join. The route takes on the bowtie version of the Gatineau Park, finishing at Little Victories on Elgin St. for a coffee and social.

    FIRST RIDE?
    For your first CE ride, we ask that you arrive 10 minutes early to go through riding safety instructions.

    GROUPS:
    We break up the ride into categories and groups of 10-15, to ensure you’re riding in the right group, while keeping it as safe as possible. The goal is for everyone to have fun no matter the pace of the ride!

    A - Fast - This is a fast paced group however there will be regroups throughout the ride route. Avg speed 28-30kph at the end of the ride.
    B - Medium - Tempo (medium paced groups at traffic lights and stops - keep everyone together). Avg speed 26-27kph at the end of the ride.
    C - Chill - 25kph (if requested)

    What to bring:
    - A helmet
    - Lights
    - Pump
    - Spare tube
    - Water
    - Snack
    - Debit/credit card
    - We hope to see you there!!

Group of cyclists riding on a bridge with city skyline and fog in the background.

UPCOMING WEEKEND RIDES & EVENTS

UPCOMING WEEKEND RIDES & EVENTS

Kichi Sibi 10th Anniversary Fundraiser

October 21st, 2025
MiLL STREET BREWERY

Welcome to the Kichi Sibi Season 10 Fundraiser! Join us for a fun-filled evening at Mill Street Brew Pub Ottawa to support our cause. Get ready for a night of light entertainment, delicious food, and great company. Your attendance will help us continue our mission to keep grooming snow. Come show your support and have a blast with us!

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THE CANDY BURNER

November 1st, 2025
Carleton Place - Stalwart Brewery

The Candy Burner is our post-Halloween tradition, raising money and goods for the Lanark County Food Bank — a ride to burn off the sugar, shake out the legs, and celebrate the end of the season. Starting and finishing at Stalwart Brewery in Carleton Place, it’s a mix of good gravel, better company, and just the right amount of suffering. Costumes encouraged, donations welcomed, and smiles guaranteed.

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COMMUNISKI

Launch Date TBD
Kichi Sibi Trail / GATINEAU PARK

Communiski is our way of keeping the community moving through winter. A weekly cross-country ski series that blends the social energy of our rides with the quiet rhythm of the trails. Whether we’re gliding along the Kichi Sibi Winter Trail or climbing into Gatineau Park, it’s about connection, consistency, and the joy of winter movement — no matter your pace.

DETAILS COMING SOON

OUR PARTNERS

Salomon logo on a black background.
Black background with white text reading 'The Movement Co.' in a minimalist design.
Logo of Joe Mamma Cycles with black text inside a white circle on a black background.
Black background with white text that says 'GIVELO' and a stylized lowercase 'g' logo.
Black background with white text that says 'FRESH AIR EXPERIENCE'.
Black rectangle with white Woven logo and the text "WOVEN" and "Precision Handbuilt" below.
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Black background with white text displaying the brand name 'Olway'