Rockies IV June 13 St Eugene Wycliffe Loop

Rockies IV

June 13, 2025

St Eugene-Kimberly-Wycliffe Rd Loop

It got down to only 10 C (48F) last night, so it was a little chilly in the tent and getting on the bike required more than just jerseys. Never the less we were of to do a ride this morning at 9:00Am. 

I was keen to get going as the weather forecast had serious wind coming out of the south about 1:00 PM.  The rain we had last night really helped knock the smoke and pollen out of the air. This morning it was crystal clear and the few remaining clouds were quickly burned off. 

The route we had were going to ride was kind of a hybrid from a route we had done lat time we were out in Cranbrook.  The first leg of the route took us up past the Cranbrook airport and past the St Eugene residential school.  I had wanted to go into the airport so I could have my picture taken in the first-class lounge.  The first-class lounge is only a broken-down card table and a couple of folding chairs but It was a 3 kms detour up hill to the airport so I was over ruled.   St Eugene Residential school is the site where there are alleged unmarked graves. I say alleged as there has never been any excavations.  Today there is a gas station hotel and casino.  The second leg of the route was up the bike path to Kimberly and back to where the St Eugene Rd crossed the bike route.   The third leg of the route was from the St Eugene Rd. down the Wycliffe Rd. back to our campsite in Cranbrook.

By the time we got to St Egenes Residential school the clouds had burned off and it was a beautiful sunny day.  The wind was starting to pick up but it wasn’t bad especially as we were heading north.  There were a lot of rolling hill and beautifully smooth pavement with no cars so it was just great.  There were several places where hawks were circling over head on the thermals.  To say it was really beautiful is an understatement. This leg of the trip was about 20 kms.

The second leg of the trip was up the bike path to Kimberly.  We joined the route about 15 kms out and all up hill.  Barry was able to get his cinnamon bun at the bakery as it was open today.   We just flew back down the hill as it was all down hill.

The last leg down the Wycliffe Rd starts with a big climb.  It was into the wind and this made it really tough.  The last 10 kms is a big down hill ride down some very nice pavement.  However it was blowing so hard we had to pedal like heck just keep from being blown over. 

The total ride turned out to be 68 kms.  What a great day it turned out to be. 

Terry