Rockies IV June 14 Cranbrook Big Loop

 

Rockies IV

June 14, 2025

Cranbrook – Kimberley – Wasa -Fort Steele Loop

I was a like surprised when the crew picked this ride as it was one of the longer rides and one of the more difficult rides.  Ken C and I did this loop the first year we came out to Cranbrook to ride.  It was a tough ride then and that was several years ago.  Maybe it says something on how well we have aged.

We rolled out of camp just after 8:00 am, and headed for the first leg of the 100 km loop. The first leg is from the base camp up the rails to trails route to Kimberly.  This is all up hill and is 31 kms.  It was a beautiful blue sky day with hardly a breath of wind.  We have done this ride several times so we all knew the route. The KMS just flew by even though is was all uphill at 1-4%.  It is really a stunningly beautiful trail with the snow-capped peaks along the horizon.

In Kimberly we had a first break.  Barry ran down to the bakery and got his cinnamon bun while the rest of us opted to go into the market for free senior’s coffee and a roll.  After the quick break we headed out on the second leg of the route which was on to Wasa.  This leg was almost all down hill and while about 34 kms long it just flew by.  I hit a top speed of 51.9 kms.  We passed a car which had hit an elk probably just minutes before as the animal was still in the ditch and the car was still spouting water from the pushed in radiator.  I didn’t stop. 

Wasa was the lunch break and we rolled in to the Wasa Pub.  There was an unending series of “Wasa Up”  jokes.  I had the burger which was absolutely huge, although the fries were soggy. Barry’s club sandwich had to be 6” high.   After we came out from lunch we were horrified to find that the blue skies had been replaced with very menacing clouds and a blustering head wind. 

The third leg of the ride from Wasa down to Fort Steel and back to Cranbrook was about 35 kms.  The 20 kms down to Fort Steele was primarily flat with a few climbs closer to Forst Steele.  However, the real story was the head wind and we had to brief bursts of rain.  Head winds are never great but coupled with a rain burst is really crappy. Once we got to Fort Steele we were past the weather front and the head winds and rain were over.

The ride into Cranbrook is mostly up hill but as it was only about 16 kms it went quick and everyone was feeling spent but happy.

We had a great day.  And certainly a lot better than the poor fellow who hit an elk or the person who dumped their trailer into the river beside the road. 

As we rolled into camp the cycle computers ticked over to 100 kms.  

What a great day.

 

Terry