The ferry is the story; 163 kilometers of exposed prairie road is the bill
A scenic road cycling journey through Alberta's iconic badlands landscape, featuring rolling prairie terrain, dramatic hoodoo formations, a memorable ferry crossing of the Red Deer River, and short but challenging hill climbs. The route celebrates the Dinosaur Valley's unique geological and cultural heritage while offering well-supported riding through picturesque river valleys and historic villages. The Ferry Hill Climb: a 1km timed ascent immediately following the Red Deer River ferry crossing.
For the rider with eight weeks and four to six hours a week, this plan uses compact race-specific sessions and a focused longer ride to prepare for the 163-kilometer Brontosaurus route, prairie exposure, and ferry-interrupted rhythm.
INSIDE THE TIME-CRUNCHED PLAN — 4–6 HR/WK
Includes zone-tailored structured rides for your devices, built-in strength with video walkthroughs, heat protocols for when your race calls for them, peloton skills workouts, and nutrition and hydration guidance.
The Complete Gran Fondo Badlands Guide — the training, the tactics, the gear and race day, explained simply and clearly: what to do, when to do it, and why it works.
Questions? Great. Hit me up at support@roadielabs.com.
Hey, I'm Matti. I spent 11 years at TrainingPeaks, where they trusted me to teach coaches how to coach at TrainingPeaks University. I raced Amateur Elite with Rio Grande Cycling Team and podiumed my age group at Unbound 200 in 2026. I have a degree in biology and exercise physiology from St. Olaf. I'm also a middle-aged dad of three, so I know training doesn't happen in a vacuum. I help gravel riders get stupidly fast without becoming the person who brings a food scale to a party