The Pigeon Lake ride on August 23, 2025, offers a <60km loop of roads and trails in central Alberta, suited for intermediate riders. Participants should prepare for challenging terrain, a group setting, and storytelling. The ride focuses on enjoying the scenery rather than racing, with no services available along the route.

1. A No Crush Ride
2. A Group Ride and Lost Group Planning
3. Ride Details
4. Enjoy the Day

The inner loop of Pigeon Lake is a classic central Alberta ride. It combines a bit of road, gravel, trail, and camaraderie in under 60km. It is also not for the beginner rider. Dogs rushing out from driveways, soft gravel for a few km, trail riding, and a hill climb make this an intermediate ride.

A No Crush Ride

Funny enough, the ride has gotten shorter over the years as pathways have been created and routes closer to the lake added. Still, this is a 5-6 hour ride partly to stop and enjoy the day. Rather than ‘crushing’ the km’s, the aim of the ride is enjoy the late summer day. Talk to fellow riders, stare meditatively out onto the lake, keep your phone and distractions safely tuck in your pannier.

A Group Ride and Lost Group Planning

Because of numerous twists and turns, this is a group ride. Except for mechanical breakdown, stay between the lead and sweep riders. If you get distracted and lose the group, then simply join the outer loop around the lake.

Ride Details

As an EBTC Ride, we need to be back in time for the BBQ. As a result, we start an hour earlier then the outer loop folks. Details are as follows:

• Meet 0845h at Mulhurst Bay Memorial Park.
• Bring: Snacks, fluids, emergency repair kit, camera. Note, there are NO services to buy things along the route.
• Story Telling: Frank (me!) may ask you for a story as the price of participation. Be ready with you 30-second narrative.
• Dogs and Gravel: The first quarter of the ride has 5km of soft gravel and aggressive dogs. Be prepared for both. We will ride as a group past the dogs to dissuade them. Bring a small water pistol to further dissuade them. The generally don’t attack the bike if warned away. There is a beat Phrank option for this section.
• Beat Phrank: There are two beat Phrank sections. If want a bit of a work out, this is your chance. I will describe the sections beforehand.
• Waving is Mandatory: Finally, be sure to wave at the cottagers enjoy the end of the summer season. This produces good Karma or at least gets blood circulating in your hand!

Enjoy the Day

This is a great late-season ride. Although I prefer to ride it September when the roads are even quieter, August 23 should be a fantastic day. Below are a few pics from past rides.