Towers Trail Introductory Backroad Ride 46 Maria

Coordinator:  Maria Saley  403 660-6719

Type of Ride:  Backcountry roads,  pavement and  gravel, Intermediate,

Pace: Average speed about 17  kph  (faster on pavement, slower on gravel) .  

Distance:  46 km   Duration:   Estimate 3 or 3.5 hours total   

Elevation:  about 350 m

This is a good ride to try out some gravel riding since it is not too far and there is also some pavement.   (about 2/3 gravel) Join us for a ride through beautiful farmland on back roads with mountain views.   We will start in the Fireside Community in south Cochrane and then wind through some acreages  on quiet gravel to join up with Towers Trail, where we will go south, enjoying quiet farmland and mountain views.  After about 7 km, we will join up with 252 west (and say hi to the horse that is always looking over the fence at that corner) and then go on Jumping Pound Rd south over Hwy 1 (paved) to hook up with Springbank Rd where it is gravel, and continue  east on Springbank rd to Rge Rd 40 (gravel) , north to 252 then west on Taylor Terrace (gravel)  to go west across Hwy 22 and join up with Towers Trail to get back to where we started.   We will stop at all intersections so no one gets lost.  You will need a bike with at least 38 (1.5 inches) mm tires.   Gravel bikes are good, cross bikes and touring bikes are fine if they have big enough tires, or any bike that can maintain about 18-20 kph on level pavement and also handle continuous gravel surfaces (at a slower speed). Call the coordinator if you are in doubt.  

 There will be a snack stop along the way.

To get to the starting point, enter the Fireside Community from Hwy 22 in south Cochrane, then keep right to get onto to Fireside Way. Turn left and continue until you see Fireside Pl.  Go past that to the next street -  Fireside Link and turn right.  You will see a gate where we will start riding. Please park somewhere near that next to one of the vacant lots or houses being built.   Do not park in front of the gate.    If you are looking on a Google map, Fireside Link does not show up, but it is the same road that becomes Rolling Range Estates once we go through the gate.

Bring a helmet, water, snacks, spare tube and tools.