2019 Calgary Cycle Trip – July 15-18, 2019
Some of this year’s leaders have written up ride summaries which we hope will help next year’s leaders:
From Penny Slevinsky: Monday, July 15 Green/Light Blue Ride Our 32 km ride departed from Grey Eagle Resort. We followed the Elbow River pathway as far as Fort Calgary then stopped for refreshments on the Hose and Hound Pub. After our rest break, we continued back to check into our accommodations and freshen up before the welcome banquet.
Tuesday, July 16 Green/Light Blue Ride We woke up to a heavy rain but the weather ended up cooperating for our ride. The birds were singing as we road 26 km around the Glenmore Reservoir. We stopped many times to admire the scenery and watch the activity on the water such as sail boats, kayaks and paddle wheel boat.
From Brian Hall: Monday, July 15 Dark Blue ride: Grey Eagles to Alforno along the Elbow and Bow Rivers (approx. 33 km.) The leader of this ride got lost once, fortunately rescued by the co-host, and fell off his bike once. What a performance! The rest of the bikers were well behaved. We had a ride-along, a four-pawed, furry canine complete with Doggles. Coffee and sweets were consumed downtown at the Alforno restaurant. The return trip was highlighted by the usual struggle, only partially successful, to climb the Sandy Beach hill.
Wednesday, July 17 Dark Blue Ride: Fish Creek east and west banks of the Bow River (45 km.) Eight riders completed this ride on a lovely, mild day. The east bank required a hill climb as the lower trail is still being stabilized – for the third consecutive year. The only wildlife on the river, aside from anglers drifting downstream in dories with their guides, was a pair of beautiful white pelicans. The mid-morning non-coffee break was at the gazebo next to the Eric Harvey Bridge. After lunch at Annie’s Café we biked a few kilometers west in Fish Creek before returning.
From Mike Tansey: Monday, July 15 Black Ride Eight cyclists took off on an easy 30 km ride from Grey Eagle Casino to downtown Calgary. The route was along 50th Ave, down to the Elbow River Pathway, across the Inglewood Bridge to the Riverwalk and south Bow River Pathway, over the Peace Bridge to the north Bow River Pathway, then across the Bow River again to Prince’s Island. After a short discussion as to where we should have coffee, we decided to go to the Good Earth Café in Eau Claire Market for our break. Good decision! The café is easily accessible with good bike parking and has a patio perfect for people watching. After a leisurely coffee, we made our way over to 5th St and made use of the separated bike lane to take us out of the downtown area and back on to the Elbow River Pathway. The hill out of Sandy Beach Park back up to 50th Ave tested our legs and lungs, but all made it, though a little winded at the top.
Thursday, July 18 Black Ride Our final black ride for the week took eight of us for a 42 km loop from the Telus Spark Centre, south along the Nose Creek Pathway, west on the Elbow River Pathway (north side) to Shouldice Park, then north and east on bike trails and bike-friendly streets to a Starbucks just north of Crowchild Trail. The trail system in Calgary is so extensive that we did not see out first traffic light for 18 km! Although the forecast prompted much sky watching, it turned out to be a sunny and warm day and everyone lingered on the patio sipping their drinks and enjoying the day, not to mention contemplating the climb to come! A little over 2 km later, we were grunting our way up the 8% grade to the top of Nose Hill Park. The climb was worth it though, with great views of COP (Calgary Olympic Centre), the south part of Calgary and the mountains in the distance. Further into the park, the grasslands and valleys block any view of the surrounding city and it seems like you are riding on bald prairie in the middle of nowhere! Another benefit of the hard climb up the hill is that you get to go back down. The last part of our loop was 14 km of almost no pedalling back to the Spark Centre, a great way to end our 4 days of cycling.
From Archie Childs: Wednesday, July 17 Green/Light Blue Ride: Fish Creek Provincial Park A beautiful sunny morning was waiting for us as we arrived at the parking area. The morning ride was though parks and residential areas overlooking the Bow River along the Bow Valley Pathway. 11 cyclists enjoyed the scenic route with frequent stops to rest and enjoy the views. Lunch stop was enjoyed by the group at Annie’s Cafe and Bow Valley Ranche. The afternoon ride was an out and back to the west along the Fish Creek Park bike paths.
Thursday, July 18 Dark Blue Ride: Country Hills – From the Telus Spark Centre The weather was cooler with the threat of showers and a breeze out the northwest as we started our ride. The route followed the rail tracks and then up into the Nose Hill and Harvest Hills residential areas. Lunch at the Canadian Brew House was a welcome stop. The ride back was the highlight of the day. The wind had picked up to a strong breeze out of the northwest. The group motored back with the wind on our backs and a downhill grade.
From Celeste Zurbrigg: Wednesday, July 17 Green/Light Blue Ride: Fish Creek Provincial Park West and East (31.5 km.) We rode west through the grasslands and later went through the forest. There were 3 hills and 4 bridges to cross, with the latter showing us gorgeous scenery. We took a break at the Shannon Terrace area in the most west part of the park, behind the Environmental Learning Centre building. Everyone had brought their own beverages and snacks. On our way back we saw a deer and her fawn. For lunch, some riders ate at Annie's Cafe and some at the historic Bow Valley Ranche restaurant. Before we continued riding, we had time to view the sculptures in the Artisan’s Garden. We then headed south by Sikome Lake, observing people swimming and sun tanning. We crossed the Bow River on the Stoney Trail bridge and cycled north a bit to cross a pedestrian bridge which eventually brought us back to our meeting place after having checked out the Bankside rest area.
Thursday, July 18 Green/Light Blue Ride: South India Food Tour (25 km.) From the Spark Centre we head north along the Nose Hill pathway before turning east to cross a pedestrian bridge over Deer Foot Trail. We rode up a gentle incline. We could smell the delicious aroma of the large Byblos bakery as we cycled alongside of it. They can produce up to 18,000 pitas per hour and they ship their products all over Western Canada. We followed the pathways through green areas and turned north. We spent time in the Prairie Winds Park. From the top of a hill, we admired the view of the mountains and the downtown skyline. A “nearby cabbage tree” took our attention and we had fun taking pictures of ourselves with it. A few blocks later we found ourselves at Savoy’s South Indian Kitchen for lunch. We enjoyed eating food that is different from Northern India, like dosa, paratha, appam, coconut milk dishes and a very picturesque rice biriyani. Several Mango lassis were enjoyably sipped. There was so much to choose from, that everyone agreed this restaurant deserves another visit. We enjoyed the downhill ride as we made our way back to the meeting place.
From Susan Hall: Thursday, July 18 Fourteen of us headed south from the Spark Centre across the Bow River. Heading west, we skirted the Inglewood neighbourhood, and into the downtown area. After a quick stop at Alforno to pick up our lunches (sandwiches for most but a cinnamon bun for the smartest) we continued west. Edworthy Park had everything we required for our picnic lunch, including a short interlude of sunshine. Then, just across the river to Angel’s Cafe for an ice cream and/or coffee stop. From Angel’s we turned east and rode along the north bank of the Bow all the way back to the Calgary Zoo, greatly enjoying a significant tailwind. As we rounded a corner of the zoo we saw three or four musk oxen in their pen. It was a nice flat ride - a perfect end to a terrific few days spent on two wheels.