Sheep River Falls/Bluerock, int, 77K, Lyle O

FALL COLOURS ALONG SHEEP RIVER VALLEY

Coordinator: Lyle Opseth

Distance: 77 Km
Pace: 22-25 kph
Elevation Gain: 851 m
Ride format: No sweep, limited stops. I am expecting riders of different speeds so the group will spread out and self-select into separate groups. My pace will be about 24 km/h. The main stop will be on the return at Elbow Falls for a snack.
E-Bikes Allowed: Yes
Parking and Meeting Place: We start at the library/community centre in Turner Valley

Route description:

<Cranky>: Where have you been? Why haven't you coordinated a ride for the past month? You didn't give me any warning and I've been sitting at home waiting. You can't do this to me. What's your phone number so I can give you a piece of my mind? Grrrr.

<Coordinator>: I've been busy with other things; I've done some other club rides; and mainly, I've been on the road a lot. You know, vacations, and that sort of thing. And then I'm behind at with jobs at home. But I was hiking this past weekend and I see the colours are coming out. It should be really good around the time of this ride (fingers crossed).

When the fall colours appear on the trees, one of my favourite rides is a ride along up the Sheep River valley. The fall vistas looking up the valley can be stunning. And the times, they are a changing (to steal a lyric from Bob Dylan). Fall is here. It's time. And the weather looks to be fantastic as well.

Enjoy this hilly and scenic ride in the beautiful Sheep River Valley. We ride up the Sheep River Road (Hwy 546) to the end where we loop through the day use area and parking at the end of the road and return. On the way back, we stop at the Sheep River Falls viewpoint for a lunch break (see map; approximately 41.5 km).

As this is an out-and-back ride with an obvious route, there will be no sweep.  Be prepared to be self-sufficient, with enough food and water, and equipped and able to change your own flat tire if needed. This is bear country and consider carrying bear spray.

Social elements:

• Longer stop at Sheep Falls on the return. See the map for location.
  
• Tailgate party at Turner Valley following our ride.
  

Safety:

• Much of the route does not have cell service.
  
• Bring your own tools, spare tubes, etc.
  
• Consider bringing bear spray.
  
• We need to cross cattle guards several times.