Olympic City Calgary

Right after Sea Otter in the US it was time to visit our new partner in Canada situated in a famous town in Alberta – Calgary host oft he Winter Olympic Games in 1988.

When I visited Canada, I expected spring to already be in full swing, but Calgary, known as a Winter Olympic city, still felt chilly in April, with snow lingering around. Despite this, I managed to rent a bike from a shop filled with rental skis—no easy feat given the bicycle industry's ongoing struggles from the pandemic. After taking an Uber to the shop, which was near the ski jumping arena built for the Winter Games, I set out on a scenic loop around the city.
The ride was mostly flat, with bike paths along the Bow River, some still covered by snow. Heading south, the ride turned more spring-like, though still not warm. I rode toward Elbow River, looping around it on the Glenmore Pathway, which was a beautiful track through wild land. Further south, I reached Fish Creek Provincial Park, which turned out to be a major highlight. The park's bike path network is extensive, offering a great mix of road and gravel options.
After touching Shannon Terrace Amphitheatre, I headed east, following the park until I reached the Bow River again. It was time to head back to the city, sticking to the bike paths along Bow River to avoid traffic. The only downside was the headwind, which made it feel even colder, but the sun was out, doing its best to usher in spring.
As the Bow River curved westward, I followed it back toward the shop and found a great spot to capture a cool photo of the ski jump. My first ride in Canada, and I was honored to have done it in Calgary, the Olympic City.

bike: Specialized Allez
starring: Gerry Samer