Water Valley loop 2023, once again another adventure ! This time Craig's birthday

 

I have been doing the Water Valley loop probably since 2010 ! It became an annual tradition with Craig and Kate and the group kept growing. I have done it a few time solo, and honestly it is one of my favorite loops when I want to put in some miles..
You have many options to get out of Calgary, usually we start at Cadence in Bowness after a quick coffee. Up to 12 Mile Coulee and from there there are many variations including gravel and pavement. The main objective through this first section is to get to Water Valley and replenish some food !!.
This year, because it was Craig's birthday he ordered lunch ahead of time at the Water Valley Saloon and with a large group this was a great time saver to the day ahead. We made it there just before 12, and after a quick lunch at the Saloon we continued on. A few riders turned around and headed back to Calgary, Pat drove the loop the day before and with all the snow and water he decided to bail and keep his bike clean.
The muddiest section was from Harold Creek down to Waiperous, probably 20kms, which wasn't terrible.. We did another stop at the Paintball place and have some chips and coke. 
I decided to stay with Ryan who didn't wat to do the Wildcat hill, we kept a good pace all the way to Cochrane and up the hill was the last big effort of the day.
      


















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