bike ride : Griffith Woods Park to Bragg Creek or Elbow Valley area

🌲We've been tackling some challenging rides lately, so I thought it would be nice to slow things down a bit, enjoy some beautiful scenery, and take it easy this time.
My original plan was to ride from Griffith Woods Park to Bragg Creek, but I'd like to give everyone a choice between two routes:

Option 1: Griffith Woods Park to Bragg Creek(about 70km)

• Pros:
• Minimal elevation gain — a relatively easy ride with long distance.
• A nice treat at the end: we can enjoy ice cream or something tasty at the Bragg Creek shopping area.
• Cons:
• We’ll need to ride on Highway 8 and share the road with vehicles for about 22 km each way. The highway portion begins at Range Road 32, so we’ll be able to avoid the heavier traffic near the start of Griffith Woods. The shoulder is in good condition, and traffic is significantly lighter.

Option 2: Griffith Woods Park to Elbow Valley Community

(Approximately 30–40 km round trip, but can be extended depending on the group’s interest). we will change the meeting time to 10:00am if majority people choose this option.

• Pros:
• No riding on Highway 8 — a safer and quieter route.
• We can explore the Elbow Valley community at a relaxed pace.
• Cons:
• No ice cream or shops along the way — you’ll need to bring everything you need (snacks, water, etc.).

Both routes have a short section of gravel road, but it’s not long and should be manageable.
Elevation: very minimal, about 100m
Physical Difficulty: easy
Event Pace: Will stop to take breaks when needed.

🌲 MANDATORY ITEMS:

1. Smile
2. Bear spray in an accessible position, on the handlebar.
3. Water spiked with hydralite /eqv tablets
4. WHISTLE
5. Must remain in visual contact
6. Bikes: road bike, or hybrid, also MTB or electric bikes
7. Appropriate layers for current season
8. First aid kit
9. Biking Kit (Tools, extra tube, pump ..)
10. Helmets are mandatory, no exceptions

🌲 If you wish to carpool, you are welcome to use the comment section to make arrangements.
🌲 Sign up
A Waiting list has been created. You must meet all of the prerequisites, and answer all of the RSVP questions, in order to be moved to the Going list. Attendance is at the discretion of the organizer Sunny, and is not on a first-come-first-served basis.
🌲 If you have not already done so, please read the Slow and Steady Code of Conduct here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k2Zyj4O6tHRGSIMQQ3bH2PbH_u9v65bQN-DOA9SzZCc/edit?tab=t.0
🌲 WAIVER: You must sign our club waiver before you are allowed to go on this trip and you shall arrive prepared with an emergency name and phone number to be recorded on the waiver. Organizer will have a group waiver for you to sign at the trailhead. You are required to read the Slow and Steady Hiker Club Waiver:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ExpOe-9cZweQV8mObp6t0VTb8YjjMpzzXlLNP0nnnD8/edit?tab=t.0
🌲 Disclaimer: You are fully aware that your hosts are volunteers and not trained guides and you assume all responsibility for your own safety and well-being. All participants are responsible for assessing the current road conditions, current weather conditions, your current physical condition, current trail conditions and current avalanche conditions for the trip and you are responsible for your safety and well-being. You are fully prepared with proper gear and you're physically fit to do this hike with the group.