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Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Nanton - Bar U Ranch Backroad Loop 76km

  • Tuesday, August 04, 2020
  • 8:15 AM - 2:00 PM
  • "Houlton's Corner" 9km west of Nanton
  • 5

Registration


Registration is closed

Coordinator:   Mike W
Type of Ride:  Backroad Intermediate
Distance:
  76km
Cumulative Elevation Gain:  715m
Anticipated Pace:  18 km/hr overall, faster on pavement, slower on dirt
Duration:  4-4½ hours moving time, 5½-6½ hours including stops
We will regroup at intersections or every 15 minutes.  No one will be left behind.

PLEASE ARRIVE 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO START TIME TO GET YOU AND YOUR BIKE READY

This is a 76km backroad loop starting and ending at "Houlton's Corner" about 9km west of Nanton at the intersection of Hwy 533 and Range Road 292.  9km is on Hwy 22, 7km on quiet paved roads, and 60km on gravel.  Other than Hwy 22, there should be little to no motorized traffic.  See the map below.

There are no facilities where we park.  The closest is the Tim Hortons and Flying J Travel Centre / Truck Stop at the south end of Nanton, about 200m before the intersection of Hwy 2 and 533.

From Houlton's Corner we head north and west, zigzagging through open ranchlands and farmlands, eventually turning south and west to the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site, where we'll have lunch and a look around - https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/lhn-nhs/ab/baru.  At this point we've completed a bit over half the distance and about 2/3 of the climbing of the route.

The return route takes us south on Hwy 22 for 9km, then east on gravel for the rest of the way back to Houlton's Corner.  The first 2.5km after Hwy 22 climbs 120m, but it's pretty much all downhill after that.

This ride is suitable for bikes with tires that are at least 38mm / 1.5" wide, and some sort of tread pattern at least a couple of millimetres deep.  Large lugged mountain bike tires are fine, but not required.  The gearing should be set up for grades up to 10%.  In general, this ride is suitable for gravel, cyclocross, hybrid, and mountain bikes, or any other bike with the necessary tires and gearing.  eBikes welcome!

Participants should ensure their bikes are in excellent condition and bring along more drink, food, clothing, safety, repair, and first aid gear than they would normally bring on a road ride.  We will regroup at intersections or every 15 minutes or so, whichever is more frequent.

For a larger version of the route, go to https://goo.gl/maps/W4TLDgeRFrvVsmRt5.

Please note:  To cancel your registration, make sure you are signed into the system, click on the "already registered" button, then click the "Cancel Registration" button.  


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