“I saw your photo there and it looks like you were enjoying yourself at some exotic location,” said Rob, a long time resident of the area. The comment took me off guard because I haven’t been anywhere “exotic” since we went to Maui seven years ago. Then it dawned on me. He was referring to my recent social media post where I photographed my “Vibram feet gloves” off the dock at Twin Lakes in lil ol’ Winfield, Alberta.
Winfield hardly ranks in the top ten for exotic locations I wish to visit but…Rob did have a point. Local, and even seemingly pedestrian destinations can inspire awe and beauty.
I have been riding my road bike in the area for at least nine years and while my little ducklings keep my riding distances shorter and me closer to home these days, I still manage to get away once in a while for a scenic ride that doesn’t take me too far from my own backyard. Here are five rides that are moderate in length, located on quiet secondary highways, and offer a variety of views not more than 40 minutes from Drayton Valley.
Alder Flats – Buck Lake Loop 26 km
This loop has a combination of rolling hills, farmland, and lake views with one large hill feature known as Siegel Hill. The hill can be a beast to climb but once you reach the summit you get panoramic views of Buck Lake and the surrounding countryside.
To get started park at the Alder Flats Elementary School and head east through the hamlet on Hwy 13. When you come to the junction of Hwy 22 and Hwy 13, continue east. After cresting Siegel Hill you will have a well earned downhill ride, past the first turn off to Buck Lake and on to RR61 (Lakeshore Drive). Head north on Lakeshore Drive and this quiet road will meander you through the community of Buck Lake along the south shore of the lake itself. Heading west out of town you will turn south on RR63 heading back to Hwy 13. At the Hwy 13 junction head west and ride your way back to Alder Flats.
This ride is scenic, and not too long. If you do it on a Saturday you’ll be able to catch the Buck Lake Farmers Market on your travels.
Pigeon Lake Provincial Park to Long Shot Distillery, Winfield (33.8 km one-way)
I love a ride that has a reward. On this ride you have options to stop throughout the ride. With scenic rolling farmland and mixed forests along with views of the lake, there is eye candy this whole ride. As an added bonus at the midway point there is the Longshot Distillery for an ideal lunch stop.
To get started park at the Pigeon Lake Provincial Park and head south along the shore line road through communities of Poplar Bay, Lakeshore Drive and Crystal Spring Drive. Parts of this road are nice and parts can feel a bit rough on a road bike, but you get some clear views of the lake, and a look at some very beautiful houses.
At the Village pop in for a cup of coffee before taking off for the ride
Heading west on Hwy 13 towards the community of Lake Dell you will have a short climb before a long downhill stretch to Battle Creek. The rest of the ride is followed by a series of uphill and downhill with you cresting at the Longshot Distilling Company entrance gates.
This is a nice place for lunch and a beverage before you catch a ride or ride your bike back to the Village.
The hills on this ride can challenge the leg muscles but big hills lead to big valleys that are not only a chance to coast, but also a chance to take in all the natural scenery. For intermediate riders a round trip is doable and totals somewhere in the 68 km range.
Lodgepole Community Centre to Cyn City Saloon (23.9 km one-way)
This is an up and down kind of ride. From low river bottoms to high mountain views this ride borders crown land to the west outside of the communities of Lodgepole and Cynthia, there are no residential developments, just you, a little industrial traffic and the open road.
To get started park at the Lodgepole Community Hall and head west out of town. Leaving Lodgepole heading north you are near the Pembina River Valley and at the base of a long climb. From the bottom of the valley you will cross the Pembina River. This is a slow moving meandering river that is a nice place to cool off in the hot summer months.
The climb up is long, and slow so pace yourself. But once crested then you are pretty much on a gradual downhill all the way to Cynthia. On the weekend the road is pretty quiet with motorcyclists making up the bulk of traffic. During the weekday this is an industrial corridor with a number of oil and gas trucks.
At the end of your ride there is a hefty burger and beer waiting for you at the Cyn City Saloon. Or ditch the burger, drink some fluids and head back to Lodgepole making this a 50 km ride.
This section of highway is part of the annual DV100 Bike Race or Ride in September.
Lodgepole Community Center to Brazeau Dam (29.1 km one-way)
This ride is a small section of AB-620 that leads to the Sunchild Road and on to Nordegg. It is a popular riding route for motorcyclists and weekend campers all heading out to the Brazeau Dam. This is another ride that gives a glimpse of the majestic Rocky Mountains, with two hills on the route putting them in plain sight. Unlike other destinations mentioned, this one does not have an obvious lunch location however, brown bagging some snacks and having a picnic at the Brazeau Dam Day use area is entirely doable.
To get started park you car a the Lodgepole Community Centre, head south out of town and make your way southwest up AB-620 towards the Brazeau Dam. Most shoulders are wide on this ride but there are a few areas that have some narrow terrain. Although there are two notable hills and an uphill ride to the dam there mainly this ride has an equal number of up and down.
Crossing the dam is a one lane roadway and keep an eye out for large trucks. If you want to continue on there is the west canal road just past the day use area, and onwards is the Sunchild Road.
In the summer the Brazeau Dam is a great little swim spot so this may be a ride to do with saddle bags.
Tomahawk to Birchwood Golf Course (19.9 km one-way)
After you cross the cavernous North Saskatchewan River Valley the rest of this ride is a piece of cake. As one of our most eastern rides, farmlands is a common view throughout the ride.
To get started park at the Tomahawk Community Hall and head south on AB-759 towards Berrymoor. It is a fast and exhilarating downhill to the Berrymoor Bridge (North Saskatchewan River Crossing) for the first nine kilometres of the ride. The road is actively used for gravel hauling and so there are a number of large trucks. After you crest out of the river valley it is a pretty relaxed ride among the farm fields.
Along the highway you will come to a sign that says Birchwood (East), this is a quiet secondary highway through the community of Birchwood and if followed will take you all the way to Lindale. But, if you want to call it quits or midway at 19 kilometres, then stop in at the Village Golf Course for an opportunity to refuel. If you are going one way I would recommend Tomahawk to Birchwood. If you want to go round trip, I would then park at the Village Golf Course, do your ride and reward yourself when you get back to the club house.
These five rides are a perfect transition from beginner to an intermediate rider. Distances can be lengthened or shortened, there is a number of rolling hills, views and eateries.
It may not be Maui but, as far as exploring your backyard goes, these are a great place to start.
Winter time at Buck Lake
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Try these DV100 training routes
Just beyond the western borders of Drayton Valley is a series of township roads and secondary highways that creates an amazing training ground for anyone looking to tackle the DV100, DV60 or the DV40, this September.
To market, to market: Shopping downtown Drayton Valley
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Tips for beginner mountain bikers
Rocks, berms, extreme pitches, however you slice it, mountain biking is not for the faint of heart. But with a little can-do attitude and grit it can become a fun pastime during any age or stage of life. This summer Rae and Bell decided that they wanted to try something new. Although they were no strangers to road cycling, the purchase of a e-mountain bike got them off the asphalt onto the trail.
Three trips for your winter wonder list
Snowshoeing is a fun way to get outside, stretch your legs and add a little interest to your snowy winter walks. With the Eagle Point Provincial Park and Provincial Recreation area right on our doorstep there are endless places to explore by snowshoe. But for those of you who are just getting started here are three of my favourite places to get you going.
The rugged and refined in Alder Flats
So I have been telling you to explore your backyard and check out places like Evansburg, Breton and Eagle Point Provincial Park. But what about Alder Flats? What the heck is there to do in Alder Flats? To answer this question I have visited Alder Flats five times since July to have a new experience, discover a new place and give you guys some actionable ideas.
