CHALLENGE YOURSELF;
IT'S THE ONLY PATH WHICH LEADS TO GROWTH.
Morgan Freeman
CHOOSE YOUR DISTANCE AND RIDE TOGETHER!
CHOOSE A DISTANCE
CHOOSE YOUR DISTANCE
We want you to have an enjoyable experience (and be back in time for lunch) and that means choosing a ride distance and route that is within your cycling abilities. We’ve provided travelling times that are based on speed and distance. If you have no idea at what speed you typically ride, you are probably a casual or recreational rider. Remember that you will stop for aid stations, pictures and bio breaks and will need to add that time to your travelling time, which will give you a start-to-finish time.
In the below ride descriptions, we have used the following rider categories to help you judge your ability if it is not already known:
Casual Rider: rides a few times each summer
Recreational Rider: rides a few times each month
Ambitious Rider: rides 1-2x/week throughout summer, often with friends or in a club
Experienced Rider: rides 3-5x/week throughout summer, individually for training sessions and in groups
Avid Rider: rides 4-6x/week throughout summer, individually for training sessions and in groups
All riders, regardless of distance chosen, must fundraise a minimum of $600, which includes a $100 registration fee that is eligible for a tax donation receipt.
25 KM - Total elevation gain: 230 m
Estimated Travelling Time: 1.5–2 Hours (Casual Rider)
This 25 km bike ride is perfect for beginners and those looking for a relaxed cycling experience while supporting Wellspring Alberta in raising vital funds for those living with cancer.
This is a social ride where you can expect an easy pace, lots of conversation, and plenty of stops for pictures. While the ride is fairly flat, you can expect some ups and downs.
If you get out on your bike a few times each summer, this is probably the ride for you. By selecting this distance, cyclists should be able to complete this ride, start to finish, in 2–3 hours, making it accessible to everybody.
75 KM - Total elevation gain: 700 m
Estimated Ride Time - 3-4 Hours
Estimated Travelling Time: 3–4 Hours (Ambitious Rider)
This 75 km route is a serious recreational ride that requires a steady pace and has plenty of ups and downs.
This ride is recommended for avid cyclists in good shape and features a number of hills to climb, including a large hill just east of the Johnston Canyon turnaround and aid station.
Participants should be able to complete this ride, start to finish, in 3.5–4.5 hours at a pace of 23–25 km per hour. Please note that some groups may draft.
50 KM - Total elevation gain: 500 m
Estimated Ride Time - 3-4 Hours
Estimated Travelling Time: 2.5–3.5 Hours (Recreational Rider)
This scenic 50 km route is perfect for recreational cyclists who want a challenge while raising money for Wellspring Alberta.
If you are a regular bike rider (1–2 times/week) and can ride for a few hours, this is the ride for you. The route has a net elevation gain of 500 m with a number of hills, including a large hill (90 m elevation) just east of the Johnston Canyon turnaround and aid station. Note that this hill has sections of 7%, 12% and 13% gradients.
By selecting this distance, riders should be able to complete this ride, start to finish, in 3–4 hours, including stops for pictures and aid stations.
110 KM - Total elevation gain: 1000 m
There are two options for those riders wishing to push themselves and ride 110 km. This distance is not recommended for beginner or recreational riders.
Option 2 (Avid Riders)
Estimated Travelling Time: 3.5–4.5 Hours
This option is for cyclists who enjoy group riding in a pace line and are comfortable averaging 28–33 km/hr. The total travelling time will be 3.5–4.5 hours and the ride time, start to finish with shorter breaks for water, fuel, pictures and bio breaks would be 4–5 hours. Riders who chose this distance will depart the Fenlands Recreation Centre at 9 am.
110 KM - Total elevation gain: 1000 m
There are two options for those riders wishing to push themselves and ride 110 km. This distance is not recommended for beginner or recreational riders.
Option 1 (Experienced Riders)
Estimated Travelling Time: 4–5 Hours
This option is for cyclists who have experience riding distances over 100 km and are comfortable averaging 25-28 km/hr but want more time to enjoy the ride. The total travelling time will be 4–5 hours and the ride time, start to finish with breaks for water, fuel, pictures and bio breaks would be 5–6 hours. Riders who chose this distance will depart the Fenlands Recreation Centre at 8 am.