Alder Flats Agricultural Society Hall

Staging out of Alder Flats, southwest of Edmonton, the main event route is 105 km with 734 m of elevation gain. There will also be a recreational route of 56 km with 405 m of elevation gain.

The majority of both routes run through aspen parkland on oil lease roads belonging to four different energy companies with the remainder of the route on roads belonging to Wetaskiwin and Clearwater Counties. The oil lease roads are very quiet – primarily single lane with some narrowing to double track.

Riders will be treated to a BBQ meal post-ride with alcoholic beverages provided by the Alder Flats Legion.

Part of the
ABA 2025 Explore Gravel Series

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CATEGORIES

OPEN 105km – Separate categories for Women and Men.
Masters 50+ – Velocity CC will recognize the top woman and man aged 50 and over. This is not an official ABA Masters category.
Recreational 56km – Men and women ride together.

REGISTRATION / ENTRY FEE

All Categories $85.

ABA License Holders will receive a $10 discount when registering on Zone4.

All registration fees include a catered lunch on-site.

Register online at Zone 4. Registration closes 11:59 p.m, Wednesday, August 20, 2025.

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LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Velocity Cycling Club and the Alberta Bicycling Association recognizes that our event in the South Edmonton Research Park is on Treaty #6 territory. The land is a traditional meeting ground, gathering place, and travelling route of the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, Dene, and Nakota Sioux. We acknowledge that this is traditional and ancestral land, home to many First Nation, Métis and Inuit.

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VENUE

Alder Flats is approximately 160 km from Edmonton and 265 from Calgary.

When travelling south from Edmonton on Hwy 2 take the Wetaskiwin/Hwy 13 interchange then travel west to Alder Flats. When travelling north on Hwy 22 from Calgary, take Hwy 13 west to Alder Flats.

RACE HEADQUARTERS/SIGN ON

Alder Flats Agricultural Society Hall in Alder Flats. Get directions on Google Maps. Parking is available near the start area.

POST-RACE SHOWERS AND BIKE WASH

Post-race showers are available a Hot Hods Car Wash located on the south side of Highway 13 just after the finish line. The fee for the showers is included with your registration. The car wash will also be available to wash bikes at an additional charge.

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CAMPING

Free overnight camping will be available on site at the Alder Flats Rec Center Saturday night (August 23) for those who wish to tent or have RVs. No serviced sites are available for RVs but washroom facilities will be available. There is also a private campsite in town with serviced sites just a short distance from the Rec Center.

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COURSE

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SCHEDULE

*Sign on closes 15 minutes prior to your start time.

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FORMAT

A traditional road event – first across the line.

Course will be signed. The route includes multiple intersections with multiple opportunities to become lost/disoriented. The routes are available in .FIT and .gpx format. All riders should have the route downloaded to their respective electronic cycling devices, prior to the start.

AWARDS/PODIUM CEREMONIES

Podium presentations will take place at the Alder Flats Agricultural Society Hall as soon as possible after the results are confirmed by the ABA commissaires. Additionally the first three male and female 50+ open category riders will also be recognized at that time.

Additional prize money and The Bike Shop Calgary discounts will be available to those racers participating in the ABA 2025 Explore Alberta Gravel Series. Please see the ABA’s Alberta Gravel Series webpage for full participation rules.

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RACE SUPPORT

Riders must be mechanically self-supporting! There will be a sweep vehicle on the course to provide limited help for mechanical disasters or injuries. If you are injured make yourself known to a race vehicle.

FEED STATIONS

Feed stations will have water and energy bars. Short course (56 km route) feed is at kilometre 31. Long course (105 km route) feeds are at kilometres 42, 63 and 80.

MANDATORY GEAR

Our support crew will handle rider emergency situations. Flat tires are not an emergency. Riders should carry tools and spares to deal with mechanical issues along with extra layers in case of changing weather conditions. Cellphone, bearspray (optional).

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RULES & REGULATIONS

WHO CAN RIDE

All ABA-race-licensed members and day-licensed riders are eligible to register.

RACE NUMBERS

Frame plate numbers will be provided for the front of your bike and will be available for pick up at sign on prior to the start. If there are over 50 registrants expect chip timing.

REGULATIONS

This event will be run in accordance with ABA/CC/UCI Cycling regulations. Riders are responsible for knowing and understanding these regulations. They can be found online here.

ANTI-DOPING

The ABA complies with and fully supports the UCI Anti-Doping Regulations, the clauses of the World Anti-Doping Code and its international Standards to which the UCI anti-doping regulations refer and to the anti-doping regulations of other competent bodies per the regulations of the UCI.

RIDER CONDUCT

It is a privilege to use these oil-lease roads. Unsportsmanlike conduct including but not limited to littering will not be tolerated.

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MEDICAL INFORMATION/ HOSPITAL LOCATION

An Emergency Medical Responder complete with vehicle will be on site. If there is an incident on course please let the nearest course marshal know so first aid personnel can be dispatched.

The nearest hospital is in Drayton Valley, 48 km from Alder Flats.

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thank you!

Thank you to the following counties and energy companies for the use of their roads: