Hi,
I'm still new to biking, and so far, my only trip outside Calgary has been to Chestermere (from Calgary Zoo along irrigation canal), which was absolutely wanderful. As far as I can tell, Chestermere is the only community connected to Calgary by a pathway, the whole way. So, anywhere else, would I guess, require riding on the road, which hopefully isn't too bad, depending on the road.
Google Maps shows "bike friendly" roads, but it doesn't seem very reliable (for example it shows 1A to Chestermere as "bike friendly", but it doesn't seem very ideal).
So, I was wandering what, if any, non-Chestermere options are there for a day trip, that other people have done, and found safe and enjoyable.
Thanks,
Rob
define "day trip" ;)
Submitted by mikewarren on
There are some very nice rides to the NW, especially in Bearspaw or up towards Madden if you want to go further afield. In Bearspaw, avoid Burma road (where possible). Township 262 has recent pavement and makes a good alternative to the 1A to get to Cochrane. Parking at the 12 Mile Coulee Co-Op is a good option. Try heading up 12 Mile Coulee until it loops west and becomes Church Ranches Blvd; take the first right (Cody Range Way) which takes you to either 85th street via Meadow Dr or Burma Road which you can take west and loop through Rolling Acres Drive onto Bearspaw Road and take north to Twp 262 which is followed west to Cochrane. Many variations and shorter/longer loops possible.
View Good Cycling around Calgary in a larger map
There's a good loop from about Edworthy out to Cochrane and back into the NW for about 90+ km depending on options if you are looking for something longer.
Once Calgary gets something happening at their end, the Glenbow Ranch trails will offer a northwest pathway loop. There are also older posts on here detailing both metric and impreial centuries all on pathways in Calgary.
Nose Creek plus West Nose Creek is a decent ride, except for all the weird deviations to avoid the golf course property in West Nose Creek. Would be great if this offered a way to actually get further along Symon's Valley. Burma Road should have gotten shoulders or lanes where it was completely re-constructed from inside Calgary to nearly 85th street. These new subdivisions are offering no on-street cycling infrastructure, unfortunately, and lots of sidewalk-MUPs, so your options are pretty limited for pathway-mostly rides out of the City.
Since you've already made it
Submitted by gp4000 on
Since you've already made it out to Chestermere next time just keep going. Get onto Hwy 1 East and ride the road out to Strathmore. No major hills, just some nice rollers. As long as you're not riding into the wind coming back it's a pretty fun fast ride.
Thanks
Submitted by thivierr on
Thanks for all the helpful information.
bragg creek of course
Submitted by mikewarren on
Bragg Creek is a great ride, too. Some people drive out there and ride highway 66, I think, if you want to get out there but make it a shorter ride.
If the highway 8 pathway actually happens, that'll be another mostly-pathway out-of-town ride...