Waiparous (Ghost Riders in the Sky), intermediate, 78 km, Lyle O

Ghost Riders in the Sky

NEW START TIME: 9 AM (Hot day)

Coordinator: Lyle Opseth

Difficulty: Intermediate

Distance:  78 km

Elevation:  624 m (a few steeper climbs)

Pace: 22-25 km/h

E-Bikes allowed: Yes

[Cranky]: One of my favourite rides never happened this year, Waiparous, because of wet weather. It hasn't been rescheduled and you've been silent, not stepping up to coordinate a ride. Oh, I know, you went to Pincher Creek for four days with the club, and done other rides. But when you go on other's rides, that means you aren't scheduling your own rides. The next thing, you'll probably go away on vacation too! Hrumph! If this keeps up, I'll forget what my bike looks like. I'll need to buy new bike clothes a couple of sizes larger and I'll blame you.

[Coordinator]: I see that you are in fine form today Cranky. I was thinking Waiparous might be a nice ride if the weather is good and Wednesday looks to be good. Will that make you happy? Also, there's a lot of other great rides being scheduled by other coordinators. Sign up for one. I'm also hoping I don't have chain problems this time.

Stamplede has come and gone but that is no excuse not to ride through ranching country. This is a scenic ride best ridden on weekdays when the roads are quietest. 

I can't promise any ghost riders on this ride as we follow the Ghost River, or even ghosts of any sort. But that's probably for the best. You wouldn't notice them as you enjoy the fantastic scenery and you would probably ride right through them.

From the Ghost Lake parking lot, we head East on 1A for 4.5 km, then north and northwest on Highway 40 (Forestry Trunk Road) through Waiparous. At km 28.7 km, keep right and continue on H 40 to the end of the pavement (3 km more). Then return to the intersection with Richards Road (km 34.6), keep right and cycle Richard Road to the end of the pavement. On the return, we stop on the south side of the Ghost River dam for a lunch break beside the river. We then continue on Richards road, turn right onto H 40 and return on H 40 and 1A back to the parking lot.

There will be no sweep as this is essentially an out and back. We will have a tailgate party in the parking lot at the end of the ride. Some cyclists swim in Ghost Lake after the ride to cool off on hot days.

Safety:

• Narrow shoulders on Highway 40.
• Limited cell service
  
• No services (food/water)
• Narrow shoulders on Highway 1A bridge crossing over Ghost Lake.
• Steep approaches to the other two bridge crossings. Bridges are single lane and alternating traffic. They also have wooden decks so watch for cracks or missing boards.
• Steep descent on return to Highway 1A intersection from Highway 40. (Steep climb the other way obviously.)