Grand Valley/Horse Creek Rd (Road Ride) with Extension Sandra K/John M

RIDE - LEVEL:  Intermediate Road Ride

Coordinator:  Sandra Kunzel/John McWhae

Distance:  43/60 km

Pace:  20 -23 km/hr

Elevation Gain:  567 m

E-Bikes allowed:  N

Meet at Heartland Park in Cochrane at the intersection of Horse Creek Link and Horseshoe Crescent.  Heartland Park is on the south side of the 1A on Horse Creek Road.  You can park on either side of Horse Creek Road at this location or on the street near the park.  GPS coordinates are 51.202545093099445, -114.51237815098754.

Be ready to ride at 12:30pm.  Look for a couple of odd bikes in the park, ridden by your coordinators. 

Easter Monday looks to be warm (+12C). With current forecast I would anticipate the temperatures ranging from 8 to 12 degrees during our ride.

There will be a lead rider and a sweep.

Ride begins at Heartland Park, heading north to Hwy 1A (lights) where we turn left onto highway 1A.  Head west and turn north on Grand Valley Road.  At the 4 way stop of Township Road 280, we will regroup.  This is about 20kms from the start.  After everyone catches their breath and a quick snack, we will continue north on the Grand Valley Road extension, cycling it to the end and back to the 4 way stop for an additional 17 kms. We will regroup briefly at the 4 way stop again, perhaps, a quick snack before resuming. East on Township Road 280 and south on on Horse Creek Road (another 4 way stop).   Total distance with the extension is 60kms, 43 kms without.  The Grand Valley Road extension is generally a quiet road with good pavement except for the last kilometre.  It is out and back, so riders can turn around at any time.

Safety:

• There are no services on this ride.  Bring sufficient food and water.
• The shoulders are narrow on Grand Valley Road and Horse Creek Road. (Traffic is usually light on weekdays.)
• Cell service is spotty or non-existent.

Double check the website in the event the weather turns cold or bad. If the ride is still on the calendar, it is a go.  If it is cancelled it will be revised to say so on the calendar.

This is spring in the foothills, expect wind…..if more than 60kms/hour, will likely cancel.

NOTE:  This map shows the ride starting on the north side of Highway 1A.  This ride meets on the south side of the highway.  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28019829