Cycling Ride

  • This ride has been cancelled.

Level 3

Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 10:00am

Highwood Pass (from South end)

Sign ups begin on June 7th

June 14th is the last day that Highway 40 is closed to vehicle traffic.  So this is you last chance to enjoy or endure this 38 km ride.

This is a  scenic spectacular car free ride with great mountain views which will take your breath away (figuratively and literally). It climbs 700 metres vertical and the summit is the highest paved road in Canada. There are lots of hills but the scenery is fantastic.

After reaching the summit, it will be an easy southbound downhill ride with 3 or 4  hills to climb to get  back to the start point. 

In past years the group has split up as the ride progresses;  The people with iron lungs (or ebikes) have got out in front of the main pack to scout out conditions - like snow at the summit !); then there is a main pack that will rest at the top of each hill that is climbed to catch our breathe and allow for others to catch up.  (I will be riding with the main pack.)

This is a 38 km ride each way and everyone can go at their own pace and turn around for the ride back when they get tired or their battery goes kaput.   Just let someone in your group know when you are turning back.

Copy and paste this text below into your browser and hit Enter for a full map

mapmyride.com/ca/high-river-alberta/highwood-pass-from-the-south-route-10646486

Suggestions:

  1. A Kananaskis Park pass is required as the park boundary is East of where we park.
  2. It has been known to snow at the top of the pass so bring cooler weather gear (e.g. warm hand and ear protection)
  3. Bring your helmet, water and food, small first aid kit, inner tube, pump and tools.
  4. Bear spray optional (although the wildlife is getting used to cyclists by then)
  5. If you have a Sat phone bring it for emergencies as there is no cell phone service.
  6. Average grade is 2% with a 4% section near the summit. Ideally your bike should have a small chainwheel that has fewer teeth (e.g. granny gear) than your largest cassette cog (rear) for an efficient climbing cadence.

Driving directions:  Take Hwy 22 South from Diamond Valley to Longview.  (Last chance for gas, water, cell phone service and flush toilets).  Just before the gas station head West on Hwy 541 to the junction of Highway 40 .  The road we ride is Highway 40 North, meet by the closed gates.  Multiple outhouses on the route.

Meeting Location: Intersection of Highway 40 and Secondary Road 541
Leader: Mike Massecar 403-969-7414
Sweep: tbd