Calgary to Winnipeg – Stage 2

Riding the Prairies. From Calgary, we will head toward Drumheller in the badlands and through Hanna and Oyen toward the Alberta and Saskatchewan border. This part of Alberta is known for agriculture, oil production, power generation, tourism, and coal mining.

Whoever claimed the Prairies were flat definitely did not cross them by bicycle. They are relatively flat, but there are also sustained, never-ending hills that will challenge your mind and body. Add wind and rain to the mix and the Prairies will take all you have. We will be travelling in wide-open spaces under  big skies. The landscape won’t change much as we cross Saskatchewan through Kindersley, Outlook and Yorkton and other small towns along less-traveled routes across the province and then into Manitoba.

Manitoba is at the longitudinal centre of Canada but we are not even one-third of the way into our tour across Canada. In Manitoba, expect strong prairie winds, exposed sun and mosquitoes. The small town friendliness and history of the settlements in the Red River Valley toward Winnipeg will change the way you think about this part of Canada. 

The day-to-day route below is for planning purposes. Bike travel requires some flexibility for weather, road conditions, suitable camping and other factors outside our control. As much as possible we will stick to this itinerary, but please use the information below only as a general guide. Frequent updates will be available for each stage of the tour as we travel along the route. If you are planning to join us, please allow a few days on either end of the date range when making plans.

ConnecTour local events are in the planning stage

Forecasting summer weather on the Prairies is one of the great challenges in meteorology. Summer weather is volatile, ranging from searing heat, to vicious storms, to cool outbreaks of polar air. The Prairies are a confluence of regions; the arctic to the north, mountains to the west, and the boreal forest to the east. With the exception of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, there are no features to block weather from coming across the Prairies. Daytime temperatures can allow for shorts, short-sleeved shirts, and dresses. But, be sure to pack for a range of temperatures and potentially cool or wet days. Always be prepared to dress in layers, and bring your rain gear. Expect strong prairie winds, exposed sun and mosquitoes.

The daily trip plan and activities are adventurous and fun. The trip is all about enjoying the bike travel experience – we will pack what we need, eat well, and connect with each other and the locals along the route.

All group members are part of the team.  Everyone will agree to participate in group activities, food preparation, shopping, camp setup/cleanup, and telling the story. Regular rotation of trip activities will include:

• Green team – minimizing our impact on the places we visit and stay
• Journal team – documenting and sharing our daily activities with the group and broader community
• Hospitality team – keeping the group in good spirits
• Cook team – meal planning and preparation, grocery shopping and cleanup

What is included?

All day-to-day bike travel expenses, including:

• All group meals
• Daily snacks and happy hour
• All group camping and accommodation
• Campground and park fees
• Reservations and coordination of activities
• Trip leaders and basic bike mechanical service and repair

Please note:

• Beer, wine, and alcohol and extra snacks are at your own expense.
• Group meals are meals that we prepare together at camp or at picnics along the road.
• Meals and snacks on rest days and event days are at your own expense.

Food and Meals

We will be doing a mix of cooking and preparing our own food at camp or at picnics on the road. We can accommodate most diets and you will be involved in meal planning and preparation to share your favorite recipes with the group. Those who prefer to eat at restaurants or prepare their own food are free to do so at their own expense. You will have the opportunity to shop for food, snacks and drinks most days.

The fun thing about bike travel is that you can pretty much eat as much as you want. The food tastes better, the scenery will change the way you think about nature, and your mind will be clear. There is nothing better than ending a day’s ride by enjoying some snacks or a local craft beer. Sit around a table and share your daily highlights and images from the day. Wake each morning and go for a bike ride and do it all over again.

Our home on the road will be a mix of camping (sometimes not in official campsites) and home-stays as guests of friends and family or communities. As much as possible, we will choose well-maintained campgrounds and local stays with comfortable arrangements including indoor facilities and showers. In more remote backroads camping scenarios, we may have to improvise portable toilets and water features for cleaning up.

Those who prefer not to camp are free to stay in hotels or Air BnBs along the route, at your own expense. We will communicate with you each day about meeting points and other logistics.