Coordinator: Mike W
Type of Ride: Backroad/MTB Advanced (or Intermediate with eBike)
Distance: 76km
Cumulative Elevation Gain: 1200m
Anticipated Pace: 15 km/hr overall, slower uphill, faster downhill
Duration: 6 hours moving time, 7½ 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/MTB out-and-back ride starting and ending at the Cataract Creek trailhead on the west side of Hwy 940, 11.5km south of Highwood Junction. We'll be cycling parallel to the Continental Divide with great views! All of it is on gravel and dirt roads, with 48km of it closed to vehicle traffic. See the map below. There are no facilities along the entire route. You'll need to bring all the water and food you'll need for the entire trip, or filter water from streams along the way. There are no facilities where we park.
From the Cataract Creek Trailhead we head W along the Cataract Creek Road for about 5km, and then cross Cataract Creek, heading S along Lost Creek Road. You may want to bring water shoes to change into for crossing the creek, which you can leave on the far shore for our return. The road climbs to its summit at about 2050m, and then descends along the headwaters of the Oldman River to Honeymoon Creek Provincial Park, where we'll have lunch. We then turn around and return to our vehicles by the same route.
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. You should also bring bear spray, a headlamp (in case we are delayed returning because of injury or bike problems), and water shoes for crossing Cataract Creek. We will regroup at intersections or every 15 minutes or so, whichever is more frequent.
