Circuit Cycle & Sports invites you to roll out with us on a relaxed group ride along the beautiful Red Willow Trail System and Sturgeon River pathways. We’ll follow a mostly paved multi-use loop of about 30 km that takes us past river views, wetlands near Big Lake, the Botanic Park, and Millennium Park before looping back. It’s an easy-to-moderate ride with very little elevation — perfect for a social day on the bike.
We’ll stop for lunch at the Riverbank Bistro, right along the trail, so you can refuel with a good meal while enjoying the riverside setting.
What bikes work well on these trails? Gravel bikes, hybrid bikes, touring bikes, and comfort bikes with wider tires (28 mm or more) are ideal. Road bikes are fine too if you’re comfortable on multi-use paths. The surfaces are mostly smooth pavement with the occasional short connecting section, so almost any well-maintained bike will handle it.
Please come prepared:
Spare tubes and a basic tool kit (or at least a multi-tool and pump) so we can fix flats quickly
Plenty of fluids
A couple of road snacks to keep energy up between stops
This is a friendly, no-drop group ride sponsored by Circuit Cycle & Sports. Whether you’re a regular or just looking for a great day out on local trails, we’d love to have you along.
RSVP now so we can plan numbers for the lunch stop and make sure everyone has a solid ride. See you on the path!
The Route MAP
Route Overview (≈28–32 km, adjustable)
This is based on popular existing paved multi-use pathway loops in St. Albert (especially the Big Lake Viewing Deck – St. Albert Botanic Park style circuits). It prioritizes trails over roads and forms a true circuit.
Key points (clockwise or counterclockwise):
Start/Finish: Riel Recreation Park (or nearby Riverlot 56 Natural Area parking) – easy access and parking.
Head along the Red Willow / Sturgeon River pathways toward the west side.
Big Lake Viewing Deck + Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park wetlands (birdwatching stop, boardwalk/viewpoint area).
Continue on the pathway network eastward.
St. Albert Botanic Park (nice gardens and rest stop).
Millennium Park / downtown riverfront section (convenient for lunch).
Return via connecting river pathways to the start.
Distance: Core documented versions run around 28 km with low elevation gain (~100–130 m). Add or skip short side loops through additional parks or pathway connectors to fine-tune exactly to 30 km on the day.
Surface: Mostly paved multi-use pathways – excellent for a mixed group.
