The Sask-Katch-On Challenge aims to promote awareness of the North Saskatchewan River through cycling. The challenge fosters outdoor activities while celebrating the river’s recreational importance and advocating for environmental preservation.

Edmonton is well known for its river valley. Of course, the river flows through more than just one city. From its glacial start in the Rockies to its meeting with the South Saskatchewan, the river is a major water shed and is nearly 1,300 KM in length. Hmm… 1,300 KM is a lot of river, so, let’s just stick with the section in and around the City of Edmonton.

The Obligatory Caveats, Cautions and Disclaimers

The following information is strictly for my personal use.

The world is a dangerous place so better that you stay at home. Leaving home, and using this information, may result in terrible things happening to you, such as:

• Riding on roads that are sometimes poorly maintained, have narrow shoulders and cars.
• Highway 60 has a wide shoulder, covered with gravel and large trucks zooming by you.
• There are steep sections that may cause exertion.
• Even without the hills, the distance are typically those for a High-Beginner Rider, you may not be able to ride 50+ KM.
• Getting lost if you don’t follow the Ride with GPS routes.
• Having a mechanical break down (flat tire, chain break, etc.) that you need to deal with.
• Have to deal with construction that changes routes requiring you to use spatial skills and common sense to route find.
• Other horrible and terrible things that happen when you ride a bike.
• In other words…

DO NOT use the following information.

I strongly recommend that you stay in bed with the covers pulled firmly over your head. It is much safer there.

The Lucky 88.8 KM of River

The Highway 60 Bridge, North of Devon is about 88.8 KM from where the Sturgeon River joins the North Saskatchewan. This is the section of interest to The North Sask-Katch-On Challenge. Of note, the river drops 30 M over this run and falls easily within the YEGVille boundary.

Assuming you were reasonably fit and could paddle 6 KMh, it would take you about 15 hours to complete this distance. Most recreational paddlers would need 2 to 4 days. In other words, although it is only a small section of the river’s 1,300 KM, it is still significant.

Edmonton is fortunate to have such a resource available to it and local residents are blessed to be able to walk, cycle, paddle, snowshoe, XC-ski, and otherwise enjoy the water course. The North Sask. Katch-On – Challenge is a way to experience this lucky resource and raise awareness of its fundamental fragility.

Who Knows, the Sask-Katch-On Challenge Might Even Catch On!

In 2026 I want to test the concept that experiencing the river is a worthwhile endeavour. Who knows, perhaps visiting the entire river’s length might even ‘Katch-On’ (get it, catch on…). Ideally, the Challenge becomes an annual tradition supported by different organizations. Alternatively, visiting the river within central YEGVille is something I do myself (with a few friends) annually.

Whether the Challenge Katches-On or not, here is the plan for 2026!

The Sask-Katch-On Challenge in 2026

The 2026 challenge will have 3 parts:

Part 1: Cycling Routes

• The focus for 2026 is cycling.
• A late start in the season and roads and trails makes this easy to initiate.
• Each cycling section is designed for the Beginner-Intermediate rider:
  • Less than 60 KM in length of which the river portion is maximized as much as practical,
  • Is a loop allowing for starting/stopping at the same point,
  • Includes washrooms and snack breaks, and
  • Has its own unique name and characteristic.
• The total length of the cycling route is about 250 KM round trip.
• The route starts in Devon and stays entirely on that city’s trail trail system.
• More experienced rider may consider joining Section 1 and 2 together and thus start/stop at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden.
• Ends at where the Sturgeon River joins the North Saskatchewan downstream of Fort Saskatchewan, this point is selected for historical reasons.
• More adventurous cyclists can combine sections. Some may even be able to ride the full ~125 KM in a single day (but make sure you arrange your ride back to Devon and your car).
• Although Section 1

Part 2: Recording Route Completion

• For 2026, individuals completing the challenge, they are encouraged to record the sections completed via the following ‘Sask-Katch-On Sightings‘ form (see form below).
• The honour system is used (really, there is no reason to cheat and I will delete any spammy entries).
• As technology allows, a leader board will identify those first completing the challenge, best photo(s), wildlife encounters, etc.

Part 3: Awarding Completion

• YEGVille will give out fantastic prizes for those who have ‘Caught the Sask’ in 2026…
• … okay, the prizes will largely be junk cluttering up my house that I will fob off on you…

Sask-Katch-On Sections

There are five sections with a total length of 250 KM. They can be done independently or two or more (portions) can be done in one ride (or walk, run, etc.). Links are to the Ride With GPS Route.

#	Name	KM	Elevation+	Gravel %	Notes
1	Devon	20	226 M	38%	Explore all that Devon has to offer.
2	SW Edmonton	56	331 M	2%	Gravel section can be detoured around
3	Central Edmonton	52	580 M	6%	Gravel = hard packed city trails
4	NE Edmonton	60	444 M	22%	Gravel = hard packed city trails
5	Fort Sask. & Terminus	48	330 M	28%	Option to terminate ride in Lamoureux & avoid Gravel
Totals	All Sections	250	2,076 M	19%

Sask-Katch-On Sightings

As you complete one or more of the above sections, please record them below. Feel free to enter a section more than once if done on different days. Don’t worry about faithfully following the Ride With GPS route, if you feel you have done a section, that is good enough.

Sorry, there is no way to record partial sections. If done over two or more days, simply record the last date you were on the trail.

Include comments, wildlife observations, etc. in the notes field.