Happy 155th Canada! 155-161km, Adv, Tanya C

         ROAD RIDE - Advanced 

         Coordinator: Tanya Colwell

Difficulty:

Distance: 155-160.9 km (advanced)

Pace: 25 kph++

Elevation Gain: 1597m

Ride format: No sweep, limited stops

Parking and Meeting Place: Millarville Hockey Rink parking lot

E-Bikes: no

Description:

Celebrate Canada's 155th with this classic Alberta traverse. You can also extend your trip a bit to make it a full imperial century 160.9km (100mi)

Hydration and food are important elements of a successful long ride, please bring snacks and electrolyte drinks. We will stop to refuel at these great Canadian iconic places:

1)  At 60km (snack stop) Bluerock Wildland Provincial Park is a  provincial park located 15 km west of Turner Valley, along highway 546. Enjoy the Sheep river falls at the turnaround point.

2) At 99km (lunch stop) Chuckwagon Cafe, Turner Valley is known as being the birthplace of Alberta's petroleum industry, the first major natural gas and oil field in Alberta became operational in 1914. Turner Valley gas plant has been declared both a provincial and national historic site.

3) At 120km (short snack stop) Big Rock is a 16,500-tonne boulder that was originally part of a mountain formation in what is now Jasper National Park. During the last ice age, about 30,000 years ago, during the last ice age, the rock was carried across the mountains and Athabasca river.

Social elements:

• Snacks and sightseeing at Sheep River Falls
• Lunch stop at Chuckwagon Cafe, Turner Valley
• Tailgate party following our ride.
• Riding as a part of a team in a paceline :-) 

Safety:

• No cell service in Blue Rock and Sheep River PPs.
• Bring your own tools, spare tubes, etc.
• Consider bringing bear spray.
• We need to cross cattle guards several times.
• Be extra cautious crossing the highway at Big Rock and Okotoks.
• If you choose to ride in a pace line, beware of cycling safety specific to pace lining. Safety paceline tips will be reviewed at the beginning of the ride.