Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 14 hours ago

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My first gravel/offroad ride, and it couldn't have come at a more perfect time. The larch trees were in peak season, and because I planned my time poorly, I caught the sunset and ZERO people on the trails after Mount Romulus...top tip to go for a bike ride to see the larches instead of trying to fight for parking.

This was one of the tougher bike rides I've been on, comparable physical effort to a standard 100km road bike ride, so be sure to budget your time and physical needs accordingly (pedal assisted e-bikes take the worry out of it!). Also be sure you have good brakes as the descent was as much as a 20% grade, and my cantilever brakes just weren't up to the task.

For this ride, head past Bragg Creek into Kananaskis and up to the end of Highway 66. I did the ride counter clockwise (CCW), and that seems to be the best way if you're doing the loop, or just stay on the Little Elbow side for an out and back as you'll see it turns to rough single track with wild elevation changes on the Big Elbow Trail.

Support my bike shop: http://VillageBicycles.ca.

1 October 2025 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Interactive map of routes: google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=10jP1l5KfjImpNqxlh1jVZow-Y3-LI_7G&usp=sharing

This ride on Strava: strava.com/activities/16005531921

Data of the ride is recorded and downloaded through Strava and manipulated through QGIS, GIMP, and Final Cut Pro. Geographic data from Openstreetmap Filmed with a GoPro Hero 12 Black: 2x Timewarp (sped up further as needed).

Chapters:
00:00 - Overview Map
00:07 - Little Elbow Campground
04:25 - Little Elbow River Bridge
12:48 - Mount Romulus Backcountry Campground
26:26 - Spruce Grouse (fearless bird)
28:45 - Larches!
29:22 - Gorgeous Decent near Tombstone Lake
31:36 - Big Elbow Trail
41:20 - Big Elbow Bridge
44:39 - Fording the river (take the bridge instead)
48:00 - Shaky Sunset

Music from Uppbeat:
uppbeat.io/t/kite-flight/journey-together
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uppbeat.io/t/kite-flight/towards-the-light
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uppbeat.io/t/kite-flight/old-romantic
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uppbeat.io/t/kite-flight/always-been-you
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uppbeat.io/t/kite-flight/always-love
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uppbeat.io/t/kite-flight/here-comes-hope
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uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/autumn-walks
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uppbeat.io/t/sky-gienger/gently
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uppbeat.io/t/kite-flight/sweethearts
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uppbeat.io/t/simon-folwar/early-spring
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uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/running-fields
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uppbeat.io/t/sky-toes/another-story-ends
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uppbeat.io/t/hele/volador
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uppbeat.io/t/arend/solstice-i
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