Alberta gravel cycling events to add to your calendar in 2018
From fondos to multi-day self-supported rides here are some Alberta events that take to gravel roads of all kinds.
With gravel riding all the rage, cyclists are taking their bikes down roads they previously hadn’t explored. More cyclists have bikes they go adventuring on with the ability to tackle varied surfaces and mount thicker rubber. Shop floors have more offerings specific for mixed surface riding and with the rise of gravel riding has come a greater selection of events to participate in. Alberta with the Rocky Mountains to the west and the prairies to the east has all sorts of roads and gravel routes to explore. If you are an eager gravel curious cyclist looking for a ride to participate in, here are some of the gravel events you can ride in 2018:
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Gran Fondo Badlands – June 23 – Drumheller – June 23
The Gran Fondo Badlands attracts cyclists to one of Alberta’s most unique areas for a fun day of supported riding. The main event is the road ride of between 160 km and 50 km depending on which route is chosen. New for 2018 is the 92 km gravel ride to further explore Alberta’s badlands and experience the landscape in a different way.
Website: granfondobadlands.ca/
The Wizard Battle Gravel Grinder – Pigeon Lake – May 26
A gravel ride with perhaps the best tile, the Wizard Battle Gravel Grinder is an unsanctioned ride started by Tim Bulger and Greg Nicholson. Riders can choose to tackle the full 220 km doing two laps of the course or the more tame 110 km ride. A list of rules and an equipment checklist help those attending make the most of their Wizard Battle experience.
Website: sites.google.com/view/timbulger/bikepacking/wizard-battle-gravel-grinder
The Dusty 100 Gravel Challenge – Metis Crossing – June 3
A lovely and totally approachable 107 km of gravel ride in the country makes the Dusty 100 Gravel Challenge a good late Spring event. The event uses theVictoria Trail which according to organizers is the oldest continuously used road in Alberta.
Website: ridinggravel.com/event/dusty-100-gravel-challenge-2/
Tour Divide – Banff to Antelope Wells, New Mexico – June 8
The Tour Divide is an annual self-supported 4,400 km bike packing ride which begins in Banff, Alberta and takes riders on the Great Divide Mountain Bike route to Antelope Wells, New Mexico on the Mexican border. The ride is a massive undertaking and can only be completed by the most experienced riders. The men’s course record is 13 days 22 hours 51 mins set by Mike Hall in 2016 and for the women sits at 15 days, 10 hour, 59 minutes by Lael Wilcox in 2015.
Website: bikepacking.com/event/tour-divide-2018/
Ghost of the Gravel  – Water Valley – June 17
A ride set in the foothills of the Rockies, Ghost of the Gravel offers riders some excellent gravel exploring opportunities. The 118 km Scary Ghost route features 110 km of gravel while the shorter 78 km Friendly Ghost route gives riders a healthy serving of good Alberta gravel fun.
Calgary! I'm coming to suffer on your gravel, but I'm bringing the climbing bike and a camera! What's my @Strava target? https://t.co/R4THoExBvR
— Phil Gaimon (@philgaimon) March 22, 2018
Website: deadgoat.ca/ghostofthegravel/
Alberta-Rockies 700 – Coleman – July 7
A fully self-supported bike packing event that is 80 per cent gravel, the Alberta-Rockies 700 starts in Coleman and ends in Hinton as riders travel north in the Rockies.
Website: albertarockies700.com/
Dirty Alta 200 –Â Hinton – July 21
If 170 km of gravel over 200 km sounds like your cup of tea, this self-supported and unsanctioned ride might just be what you are looking for. Organizers suggest bringing purification tablets because much of the route is so remote that mountain streams could be your only source of water. There’s also a 160 km and 100 km route for those not ready to tackle the full 200 km ride.
Website: https://allevents.in/coronation/2018-dirty-alta-200/810636485809466
Hurt’n Albert’n 550 – Beiseker – August 11
A 550 km of self-support, unsanctioned gravel ride in southern Alberta that takes riders from the foothills of the Rockies to the Badlands. The Hurt’n Albert’n is a chance to push your gravel riding limits.
Website: ridelongsleepoutside.com
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