Main Route
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
Elevation Gain – 255 m, option for an additional 491 m
Maximum Grade – Beginner ride 2.8 % maximum up hill grade at 45.2 km followed by the 2.5 % maximum downhill grade at 46.8 km. The optional out and back has a maximum uphill grade of 5.2% at the 20 km mark.
Best Parking Option – Park at the corner of Range Road 53A and Twp Road 305A. Pull well off the road.
Points of Interest
After travelling east on Twp Road 322 you will pass by Davidson Provincial Park with washroom and picnic amenities.
The Bergen Corner Store is located at the corner of Twp Road 322 and AB 760 . At time of writing this store was closed but will hopefully open soon as it will make a good pit stop location. Heading north on AB 760 will be the only busy section on this route.
To lengthen this ride, instead of continuing west on Twp Road 310, when you are 0.8 km east of the parking spot, turn south on Range Road 53 which is 48.4 km from the start of this ride. From Range Road 53 turn west on Twp Road 304 (Burnt Timber Road or Shell Gas Plant Road). This add on section of the ride is an out and back so ride as long as you like and turn around and return to your vehicle. This option adds 44 km to the ride.
Comments from our test
riders:
Beginner Road Cyclist – ‘Gentle hills with smooth pavement, low traffic volumes
which were great.’
Intermediate Road Cyclist – ‘A fun ride with the option for extension, beautiful views.’
Expert Road Cyclist – “Appreciated the option for more km’s’ .
What to expect on this ride
No steep grades, low traffic volumes and scenic countryside; this beginner ride has it all. This loop route is just shy of 50 km so the perfect distance for an early morning or late afternoon ride. A maximum uphill grade of only 2.8% makes this a pleasant relaxing ride along a wild rose lined corridor and hobby farms…watch for the peaceful llamas on route! When you have almost completed this ride and if you still have ‘legs’ and want to get in some additional kilometres, head south on RR 53 and then west on Twp Rd 304 and you will be treated to a smooth, high quality paved road with good shoulders, low traffic volumes and stunning views heading into the foothills. The optional extension is an out and back to the Shell Burnt Timber meter station so there may be the occasional large truck on this route but generally there is very little traffic on weekends.
Ride single file on this route especially along AB 760 going north towards Sundre. This short stretch of the route can get busy and has a very narrow shoulder. The route is well worth the drive from the Calgary city limits. On Saturday mornings during the summer check out the Farmers Market mid route at the Bergen Community Center. This would make a nice side trip to head to after your ride. The road to the Bergen Community Center is gravel so not recommended as part of the ride if you concerned about your skinny tires.
Cycle Alberta 