Ride Statistics
Ride Difficulty Rating: Intermediate only due to the short section on Hwy 1A. Beginner if you avoid Hwy 1A.
Distance: 48.4 km
Estimated time: About 2 and a half hours based on cycling speed of 20 km/hr
Elevation Gain: 420 m
Maximum Elevation: 1338 m
Maximum Grade: 7.5 % climb at ~ km 11 and 6.3 % downhill at 5.5 km
Best Parking Option: North side of the Rocky Ridge YMCA parking lot. Ample parking so a great place to meet a group of friends.
Points of Interest: Amazing outdoor art on the hill above the YMCA, The YMCA building itself, Middle Path Buddhist Meditation Center, Lochend Farms, multiple oil pump jacks, grain crops.
Amenities: Washrooms just inside the doors of the YMCA.
Comments from our test riders:
Beginner Road Cyclist: A great ride but the Hwy 1A section was a bit much.
Intermediate Road Cyclist: A great Saturday morning training ride.
Expert Road Cyclist: Ditto!
What to expect from this ride
This is a great route and is easily accessible from the NW edge of the city. The first part of this route is along quiet and beautiful country roads, passing the peaceful Middle Path Buddhist Temple followed by the Lochend Farms operation. It is worth it to stop and take in the amazing views. Further along you pass many Bearspaw acreages and can admire the opulent homes and their grounds with the mountains in the background as you head west. Turning south on Glendale road takes you past some riding stables and then on to Hwy 1A for a short section with wide shoulders until you reach the first set of traffic lights at the top of Cochrane Hill. This is where you will begin your return journey down towards the Mount St. Francis Retreat and loop back to the YMCA via Bearspaw Road, Rolling Hills Dr, Burma Road, Range Road 25 and on.
Two points of caution: At about the 4.5 KM mark, just before you turn north onto 85th St , you pass by an operating gravel pit. There can be large trucks in this area. The second, is travelling along Hwy 1A. The motor vehicle speed limit is 110 km/hr so if you do not feel comfortable with this section you can always skip it and just proceed to the top of Cochrane hill staying on the quiet roads. ie. do not turn south onto Glendale Rd.
Cycle Alberta 