Category: Beginner

Goldenrod, Madden, Dog Pound Panhandle

Aug 7, 2021 was a smoky day due to wildfires in BC and Alberta. But even then the views of the farm land between Madden and the Goldenrod Hall are spectacular. The condition of this road on this stretch of the ride is excellent….not a pot hole or pavement crack in sight.
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Ride Statistics

Ride Difficulty Rating: Intermediate with option for a Beginner ride by turning around at Madden

Distance: 69.4 km

Estimated time: 3.5 hours based on 20 km/hr cycling speed

Continue reading “Goldenrod, Madden, Dog Pound Panhandle” →

Canmore – Lake Minnewanka Loop via the Legacy Trail (Spring Road Closure Option)

Cascade Mountain snowcapped in the Spring
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Ride Statistics

Ride Difficulty Rating: Beginner to Intermediate

Distance: 55.6 km

Estimated time: This ride takes approximately 3 hours Based on cycling speed of 20 km/hr

Continue reading “Canmore – Lake Minnewanka Loop via the Legacy Trail (Spring Road Closure Option)” →

Sheep River Ride – Spring Road Closure Delight (please note that the bridge construction will not be complete until May 15th, 2022)

The gate at the start of the Sheep River Ride
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2022 update: On May 13th we attempted to do the Sheep River Ride (Road closure in effect until May 14th) since we were under the impression that the bridge construction was complete (May 1st was the completion date given). Unfortunately we were stopped 5 Km into the ride since the bridge is still not finished. Please note that the road conditions on the first 5 Km have deteriorated significantly due to the passage of heavy construction trucks.

Ride Statistics

Ride Difficulty Rating: Beginner

Distance: 35.4 km

Estimated time: 2 Hrs Based on a cycling speed of 20 km/hr

Continue reading “Sheep River Ride – Spring Road Closure Delight (please note that the bridge construction will not be complete until May 15th, 2022)” →

Highwood Pass: Through Route to Longview; Gate to Gate to Gate; Kananaskis (North Gate) to Summit; Longview to Summit; South Gate to Summit…the options are endless

Highwood Summit – June 6, 2019 Is that snow??!!

Note: As of June 3, 2021 the road surface is not as good as in past years. For the North gate to Summit route there are sections of rough pavement as well as a few herds of mountain sheep to contend with on your swift descent. Our current recommendation, is to do this route from the South gate to the Summit as the road is in better condition. On Sunday, June 12, 2021 there were cyclists reporting that it was snowing at the summit.

Through Route to Longview – Ride Statistics

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Ride Difficulty Rating: Expert , also an expert level of logistics and planning required!!

Distance: 98.9 km…darn, just shy of a metric century ride

Estimated time: 5 hours based on cycling speed of 20 km/hr, but you might be quite a bit faster because there is quite a long descent on this route.

Continue reading “Highwood Pass: Through Route to Longview; Gate to Gate to Gate; Kananaskis (North Gate) to Summit; Longview to Summit; South Gate to Summit…the options are endless” →

Calgary to Chestermere

June 13, 2019 Irrigation Canal along the Calgary to Chestermere Route
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Ride Statistics

Ride Difficulty Rating: Beginner but can be used as a longer early season training ride

Distance: up to 80 Km (out and back)

Estimated time: Up to 4 hours based on a cycling speed of 20 km/hr

Continue reading “Calgary to Chestermere” →

Legacy Trail – Canmore to Banff with Vermillion Lakes extension Out and Back

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The Legacy Trail is part of The Great Trail (previously called the Trans Canada Trail). It is well marked and a dedicated pathway for non-motorized modes of travel between Banff and Canmore. The trail is used by Olympic calibre roller skiers, distance runners/walkers/wheel chair athletes and cyclists of all abilities. You will note the ‘Be Kind to Slower Cyclist’ signs along the route. This past year we have noticed the addition of Max 20 km/hr speed signs.

Ride Statistics

Ride Difficulty Rating – Beginner

Distance – 55.5 km (a shorter option at only 44 km is to exclude the Vermillion Lake extension and turnaround at Banff)

Estimated cycling time – 2.75 hours if you go all the way to Vermillion Lakes, 2 hours if not. Based on 20 km/hr cycling speed.

Continue reading “Legacy Trail – Canmore to Banff with Vermillion Lakes extension Out and Back” →

Mountain View – Bearspaw to Cochrane Out and Back

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Route with Cochrane Hill extension

Ride Statistics

Ride Difficulty Rating – Beginner for shorter route, Intermediate with add on.

Distance – 44.1 Km out and back (with short loop near the end), 52.3 km with Cochrane hill alternative extension for Intermediate and Expert riders

Estimated cycling duration – Just over 2 hours…

Continue reading “Mountain View – Bearspaw to Cochrane Out and Back” →

Big Hill Springs Out and Back

Look at that Alberta sky!!! June, 2020 Bearspaw Rd
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Note: as of June 26, 2022 the Big Hill Springs park is reported to be open after being closed all summer 2021. Another development noticed is that Lochend Road has had heavy traffic at times so use caution during these times.

Ride Statistics

Ride Difficulty Rating – Beginner

Distance – 44.2 Km out and back

Estimated cycling time – 2.5 hours

Continue reading “Big Hill Springs Out and Back” →

Sundre Timber Trail With Optional Extension on the Burnt Timber Road

Main Route

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Optional extension

Ride Statistics

Ride Difficulty Rating – Beginner for short loop, Intermediate with the optional extension

Distance – 49.2 km circle route, option for an additional 44.0 km out and back

Estimated cycling time – 2.5 hours with out the extension

Continue reading “Sundre Timber Trail With Optional Extension on the Burnt Timber Road” →