By Malcolm Turner

EVCC Education Director

Many EVCC rides are in areas without any cell phone coverage, Accidents happen though and Emergency Services may need to be called.  Where there is cell coverage, try calling 911 first.  911 is the emergency contact number for the national parks (Banff, Yoho, Kootenay and Jasper), Kananaskis Country, Calgary and the rest of Alberta. A call might be successful even with only one bar.  If not, then try a satellite emergency text.

Recent iPhone models, 14 and higher support satellite texting, SOS and location sharing.  Some higher-end Google and Samsung phones may have satellite connectivity.

If a cell network isn’t available, an iPhone displays SOS in the upper right corner of the screen and will try to route an emergency call through any other available network. If that doesn’t work, tap Emergency SOS via Satellite to text Emergency Services. Then tap Report Emergency and follow the on-screen instructions.  Have your location handy.

To connect to a satellite, hold your phone naturally.  No need to hold it over your head, do make sure the phone has a clear line of sight to the sky.  If you’re under trees or surrounded by mountains, you may not be able to connect with a satellite.  In this event, ride to a spot where a satellite or cellular connection is possible.

An Emergency SOS demo is available to try before a ride.  This demo will not initiate an emergency text.  Instead, it shows how to connect to a satellite and what questions to expect.  On your iPhone go to Settings > Emergency SOS > Emergency SOS via Satellite > Try Demo and follow the prompts.

Behind every great ride is a fantastic group of volunteers who keep the club humming along. From programs and social events to communications, finances, and other behind-the-scenes jobs, this team makes it all happen.

This season, we’re saying goodbye and a huge thank you to volunteers who have finished their terms: John Pratchett, Doug McCulloch, and Tony Lamb. We’re incredibly grateful for your time, energy, and dedication – the club is better because of you.

And now, we’re thrilled to welcome our new incoming committee members and those who are returning for another lap:

We welcome your ideas, feedback, and input. 

Contact us any time by email to connect@elbowvalleycc.org

The Elbow Valley Cycle Club is proud to recognize the following volunteers for their outstanding contributions during the 2025 season. These volunteers coordinated countless rides and brought hundreds of members together to share the joy of cycling. 

Sal Faoro — Volunteer of the Year - The Pillar Award – For being a top contributor whose dedication forms the backbone of the club.

Lyle Opseth — Above & Beyond Service Award – For going the extra mile and stepping up wherever help is needed.

Heather Opseth — Community Connector Award – For bringing people together and helping to strengthen the club community.

Ronan Culligan — Rookie of the Year Award – For being a new volunteer who quickly made a strong impact.

Jim Simms — Steady Strength Award – For being a reliable, consistent contributor who supports the club all year.

John Tole — Dual-Terrain Consistency Award – For consistently coordinating and riding both urban and road routes.

Congratulations to all our 2025 award recipients, your time, energy, and passion keep EVCC rolling strong!

By Richard Thorpe

We are coming into hot weather season. Here are some general tips to enjoy your riding days safely. 

Hydration

Pre-hydrate – liquids to use

During ride

Protocol

Regarding “electrolytes”.  If you sweat profusely, or are prone to cramps replacing them might be important. The electrolytes in sports drinks are sodium chloride (salt) and potassium. Potato chips and a banana provide the same electrolytes.

 

Riding Strategy

Dehydration

Watch for warning signs of dehydration (not in any particular order.)  It is very hard to recover once these symptom begin, again emphasizing again the need to prepare your body.

Keep close watch on yourself, and also those you ride with. You may see them having difficulty before they realize it themselves.  Be patient with yourself and with others.

Photo: EVCC cyclists riding in 30-degree sunshine on Canada Day 2025.

Unfortunately, severe summer wildfires are underway, and we are experiencing days of poor air quality. 

For the health and safety of participants, ride coordinators are encouraged to cancel rides when the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) reaches 6 or above. 

As with any cancellations related to weather, heat or cold, rides may be cancelled due to smoke at the coordinator's full discretion, including in cases where the AQHI is lower than 6.

When rides do go ahead, it’s no guarantee of good air quality. The AQHI is a generalized reading over a wide area, and the air quality can vary dramatically within the region. Winds can blow the smoke around and smoke concentrations can change quickly. For these reasons, the coordinator may make a go/no go decision at any time, including at the start or during the ride. 

We all have different health situations – some of us may be more sensitive or have conditions that warrant additional caution about exercising in smoky air. And, some research has shown that wildfire smoke may be more toxic to the lungs than regular urban air pollution.  

Please be aware of your own health situation and use your personal judgment when deciding to ride.

It is always unfortunate and disappointing when we have to cancel events for any reason – thank you for understanding and supporting our coordinators' decisions. 

To learn more, see: Cycling in smoky conditions – Canadian Cycling Magazine (2023)

In the May edition of our Cadence newsletter we published info about access restrictions in Kananaskis relating to the upcoming G7 summit. Since then, the park has issued an update that affects our Highwood Pass rides that traditionally take place prior to Highway 40 opening between Peter Lougheed Park (North) and Highwood Junction (South).

 

The G7 Summit is coming to Kananaskis June 15 to 17. Some roads, campgrounds, day-use areas, and trails in the area will be temporarily closed between June 1 and 22.

These closures will have impacts to cycling on Highway 40 and Highwood Pass.

There will be increased security presence on the road and signage indicating the locations of closure points. 

What this means for our club Highwood Pass rides:

The park has also provided this safety alert: 

If users choose to cycle up the Highwood Pass, there may be a delay in emergency response due to the road closures. Alberta Parks recommends that users fully research their trip and consider their abilities before venturing out given these factors.

More information

Alberta Parks now has detailed maps and closure information posted on their website.

Please see: https://www.albertaparks.ca/G7

Our 5th annual Spring Fling event was held April 13, 2025, based from the Springbank Heritage Club. The event included over a hundred participants on eight different rides, despite the chilly start.

Our social committee provided outstanding support with hot beverages and snacks pre-ride and an excellent luncheon meal for the shivering riders after.

Thanks to Richard Thorpe, who organized the event, and Don Hollingshead, our official photographer, who captured most of the shots below. 

Have great memories of the day? Click the button with the three dots (above left) to share a comment. 

Note, if photos do not load on mobile, please view on your laptop/desktop computer. 

Gathering at the Springbank Heritage Club, ready to roll! 

"Petal Pushers" - 50k group coordinated by Heather Opseth.

"Eggscellent Riders" - 50k group coordinated by Sal Faoro.

"Spring Rolls" - 50k group coordinated by Patty West. 

"Spring Spinners" - 40k group coordinated by Lyle Opseth.

"Bees Knees" - 40 k group coordinated by Bill Stillwell.

Bill Stillwell musters the Bees Knees hive -- signage made by his five-year-old granddaughter! 

"Spring Breakers" - 30k group coordinated by Garry Denman.

"Spring Breeze" - 30k group coordinated by Stan Bobrow and Jill Sharpe. 

"Fling into Spring" - 30k group coordinated by Ken P and Doug M. 

Riders at the bottom of Springbank Heights - two Johns and a Bob. 

Ronan Culligan leads a group of Petal Pushers on the home stretch! Ready for some snacks and socializing! 

Thanks for a fantastic day everyone - see you again next year! 

Ride safe!

In the event of an unforeseen incident on a club ride, it may be necessary for the ride coordinator to call your emergency contact person. Coordinators access your contact information through the Wild Apricot admin app, so it's vital that you have the right person listed. To check and update your contact information via the EVCC website:

You can also edit your information in the Wild Apricot member app -- tap the "My profile" button at the bottom right hand corner of the home screen.

Emergency services

Do you know your emergency services call numbers? Add them to your contact list on your phone, so you can access them quickly if necessary.

National Parks

e.g., Banff, Yoho, Kootenay

Parks Canada dispatch: 403-762-4506

Kananaskis

e.g., Highwood Pass, Up the Elbow, Sheep River

Kananaskis Dispatch: 403-591-7767

City of Calgary and surrounding areas: 911

Spring is a-coming, and that means it’s time to dust off your bike and get ready for sunny rides, fresh air, and new adventures!

It’s no fun – for you or your riding buddies – to discover mechanical problems when you’re out on your first club ride. It can also be dangerous if there are unexpected issues with key bike bits such as brakes or shifter cables.

So, before you hit the road or trail, give your bike a little TLC to make sure it’s in top shape. 

It’s also recommended that you get a professional bike inspection and tune-up from a trained mechanic at least once a year. 

1. General Inspection

2. Cleaning & Lubrication

3. Tires & Wheels

4. Brakes

5. Drivetrain (Chain, Gears, and Pedals)

6. Cables & Housing

A bit of advance preparation will make your club rides SAFE and FUN! Let’s get rolling!

Relive the 2023 cycling season by participating in our Members' Choice Awards! Vote for your favourite hill climb, ice cream stop, coffee shop, scenic routes and more! 

Results will be published in an upcoming Cadence newsletter. 

You must be logged in to the website as a member to vote. 

Here's the link to: VOTE NOW!!