RIDE - LEVEL: Intermediate, a bit technical, but not fast, unless going downhill, some crowded pathways, tight turns and possible standing on a C-train with your bike for up to 1.5 hrs during the day.
Coordinator: Jeff Harris
Distance: 37 km
Pace: 8-28 km/hr (Avg Spd ~ 18km/hr)
Elevation Gain: 156 m
Elevation Loss: 360 m
E-Bikes allowed: Yes
Start location: Tuscany C-Train Station:
(222 Tuscany Springs Blvd. NW Calgary Alberta) or
(10310 Eamon Road NW Calgary, Alberta)
General Ride Description:
This route starts at the Northwest end of the C-Train Red Line at Tuscany station. The route follows pathways, roads, road bike lanes and other cycling infrastructure to the 39th street C-Train Station in SE Calgary for a distance of 37 km, passing close to 11 other C-Train Stations.
Please Note:
I will not be necessary to arrive early if you take the train to Tuscany, just before 10:30 is fine. I encourage you to contact me if you will be late, as the group can meet you at a different station if required.
To complete this route you will need access to the C-Train. As it is presently possible to take your bike on the C-train at any time of the day, this route can now be completed during the week.
If you are unfamiliar with the requirements for bikes on the C-Train to take a minute to review: the following:
- C-Train transit fares for adults are $3.60
- Bikes are only allowed on the train if there is room for them. Please only board cars that can comfortably accommodate you and your bike (two bikes per section of a car).
- Cyclists must yield space to seniors and customers with disabilities, mobility equipment or strollers.
- You must dismount and walk your bike on the C-Train platform and onto the C-Train.
- Bikes can’t block access to the C-Train doors at any time.
- Cyclists should wait until non-cyclists have boarded before entering a car.
- Cyclists must exit a C-Train if instructed to do so by a Calgary Transit official or peace officer.
- Cyclists must be in control of your bicycle at all times, and aware of any bike parts that may obstruct or injure other riders (e.g. bike pedals, kick stands). Your bicycle can’t lean against a seat, wall, pole, door, or other equipment on the train.
- Cyclists should only enter or leave using the doors marked for bikes, and should remain in the open areas of the C-Train car.
Look for this symbol on the train doors:
to know where to enter.
If you have any concerns please text or email me.
Detailed Ride Description:
Make your way to The Tuscany C-Train Station by 10:30hrs, from there we will head South starting on pathways and continuing on roads and cycle lanes. The route follows the Red C-Train line fairly closely, because of this, if the weather changes or one has to exit the group for any reason, it will be easy to get to a C-train station and then back to your point of origin. We will be close to over 14 stations at various points in the ride.
We will stay as a close group and will wait in order to maintain that.
Although the elevation gain is only 156 metres with an elevation loss of 320 metres over only 37 km parts of this route route are not easy, as there are 87 road intersections, some very busy, some rough road sections on steeply descending hills with tight turns at the bottom. Also some steep inclines and declines on pathway road overpasses with some narrow tight turns required on top of these structures.
Please Note: Due to the above conditions, I have to recommend a flat bar bike for this ride or a bike with cross brakes on the drop bars. Electric pedal assist bikes are welcome if they meet the above requirements.
The benefits of this route are that not many of us have travelled it and there some interesting views and infrastructure to see and try, and a chance to evaluate bikes on the C-Trains as the city is doing a study into bikes on C-Trains and is looking for input. Check out the City of Calgary Link for "Bikes on C-Trains" once you have completed any travel with your bike on a C-Train. Use this link: Submit feedback
I am limiting this ride to 6 persons, as the older trains only allow 10 bikes at a time and it may take too long to get everyone to a single station. I will repeat this ride several times and increase the group size if there is a demand.
Jeff
