The small town of Calmar has a not-so-hidden secret, an excellent bakery. Family run, get there early as they often run out of the good stuff. This is the first time I have done this ride although it is well known in a local bike club. Thanks to AMA for a great day.

When I think of this area, I usually think of the various Calmar Loops. Who knew there was a nice paved secondary highway that allowed you to by pass the suicidal Highway 39. I may yet add this ride in to my more permanent collection, but for now, just some thoughts and photos.

Any maps and map views are for general information only. Do not rely on them for navigation or to determine legal boundaries.

The Fast Facts

• Despite the short distance (< 50-60km), highway riding, wind, and the ‘Bugger Hill’ makes this a low-intermediate ride.
• The group I was with were fast meaning that I had to run my e-bike at a higher-than-expected level and drained my battery (yes, a fast cyclist can beat an e-Bike).
• As a result, I took the short cut back rather than completing the out-and-back.
• Unfortunately, other than riding Highway 39 East to Highway 60, all other North-South roads are gravel.
• I rode Range Road 264 before heading East to pick up Highway 60 (and some tenacious mud from a low section in the road).
• Lots of things to do in the area including Canadian Energy Museum which hosts Leduc #1.
• Washrooms in Devon and then gas stations in Calmar.
• The road to the West of Highway 60 and equal to Highway 19 is called the Chubocha Highway; unfortunately, no ready explanation for the name; it was formerly called the Halicz-Gildenhurst Road.
• Halicz and Gildenhurst were former localities in the area so the road name was probably descriptive.

Area Details

• Is it Worth It and Why Go Here?: 4/5: Great country and rural vistas.
• Wayne Gretzky Units: 37.3km to the Calmar Bakery.
• The Drive Out: Devon is just Southwest of Edmonton.
• Frank’s Trip Notes
• First done: 2024-08-08. Weather: Warm, 14C to start warming to 20C by the end of the ride. Winds were light to moderate from the Southeast.
• Comments: I missed some good photo opportunities and things to poke around in, a return trip is in order.

Notes and Reference

1. Halicz-Glidehurst, The Dusty Musette Blog.

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