THE RUMBLE TO FORT MCMURRAY

There comes a time when one must look back on the preconceived notions we have and rethink them - or maybe even question how you have come to hold them in the first place.

Such was the case for me when I rode up to Fort McMurray after the May long weekend to see for myself what Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo has to offer.

I knew the week was going to be challenging with the weather and a couple of times I was very sorry that I left my heated vest at home, but most people that set out for adventures often have challenges upon the way.

Probably the biggest challenge I had while in this northern region was finding enough hours in the day to see everything.

Let’s start with a bit about Fort McMurray and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB).

Fort McMurray started as a Northwest Company fur trading post back in 1790 and was named after William McMurray who worked for the Hudson’s Bay Company. In 1995, the City of Fort McMurray amalgamated with Improvement District #143 to form the RMWB.

This vast region includes six First Nations communities, five Métis Local Councils, one Métis Community Association, the city of Fort McMurray, and the rural communities of Fort Fitzgerald, Fort Chipewyan, Fort McKay, Draper, Saprae Creek Estates, Gregoire Lake Estates, Anzac, Janvier, and Conklin.

No motors allowed on this lake at Maqua Lake Provincial Park.

Day one was the ride up to Fort McMurray, which was a lot of slab (highway) and very little dirt. The slab consisted of Highway 63 which was once known as the Fort McMurray 500, due to the speeds people drove on this highway.

Now though, you will find the highway twinned into four lanes from the junction of 55 and 63 about 230 KMs south of Fort McMurray. You will see lots of Sheriffs and RCMP to ensure that speeds are closer to the posted speed limit.

14 Our Alberta Touring Mag©

I did find some great gravel when I took some industry roads just to see where they went, and the trip into Crow Lake Provincial Park was short but awesome. Crow Lake park was a great place to have a coffee and a rest and to watch the birds on the water.

For those that wish to bush camp, there are lots of areas that will fit your style throughout this whole area.

Day 2 started with a great breakfast at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Fort McMurray and then a coffee overlooking a forested area regrowing from the 2016 Horse River Wildfire behind the hotel.

The sand on the winter road to Fort Chipewyan

After coffee I met with Tyler Cole from Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development & Tourism and we headed out to explore south on Highway 881 towards Engstrom Lake Provincial Recreation Area.

Our day consisted of exploring some of the parks in the area and checking out some of the industry roads to see where they go.

Of note was the short lived attempt to try the winter road that ends up in La Loche, Saskatchewan. The road was rutted and wet so after a short distance we turned around.

Day 3 was an epic day for me!

Riding up to the sand dunes north of Fort McMurray at the gates to the Fort Chipewyan Winter Road was an awesome experience and riding into the soft sand was amazing. Now, I did not go far as a heavy bike with improper tires was not the ticket to conquer this stretch, but give me an ATV or smaller dual sport bike and watch out! The Kitaskino Nuwenëné Wildland and Richardson Wildland Provincial Parks offer limitless exploring opportunities for those keen for adventure.

When you see this area, you think of Morocco or some other foreign land but not Alberta, Canada!

Impassable bog for this rider on the Conklin - Lac La Biche winter road.

A little lake on the winter road near Lac La Biche

Day 4 was the day to start heading back so I mapped my route to include the winter road known as the Alpac haul or K road.

Again more sand welcomed me and I made it a short way down the winter road before a deep boggy area turned me around.

This night I hit the winter road from the south and camped beside a small lake, listening to the birds singing to me to sleep in my tent.

Day 5 I was up with a light rain on my tent. I was on the road by 7am, and experienced one of the wettest days in a long time.

When I finally made it home later that afternoon a hot shower and a nap was needed.

My trip up to Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo covered about 2500 km and a wide range of weather conditions, but what’s most notable was the people I met and the places that I saw.

Would I ride up there again you may ask? region.

For all the information you need to know about Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo, visit: explorewoodbuffalo.ca or connect with them on Facebook or Instagram. You can also connect with them in the rumblealberta.com members lounge!

RUMBLE ALBERTA!!!! #rumbleab #ExploreFMWB

TownePlace Suites by Marriott; Fort McMurray A review for Rumble Alberta by Eric “Iggy” Larson

When you stay at certain hotel chains you come to expect a certain level of service and cleanliness. When I stay at any of the Marriott hotels in North America I do so because of the quality of the facility and staff, and the TownePlace Suites in Fort McMurray/Wood Buffalo was absolutely no exception.

I was greeted at my arrival by the gentleman at the front desk and instantly made to feel welcome. Unfortunately the pool, waterslide and hot tub was closed due to COVID but after a day of riding in the wind, they sure looked inviting. Upon getting my keys, I was given a care package with some goodies and water and headed up to my home for 3 nights. When I opened the door to the room, I smiled as I knew I was going to enjoy my stay. The room had a kitchenette and was set up in a way to make a person comfortable for a single night or for multiple nights. As always, I jumped on the bed and noticed how comfortable the bed was. I really do love the mattresses that the Marriott chain uses.

The next morning, I went down for the complimentary breakfast and although it was not laid out like in pre COVID times, I could order whatever I wanted from the gent working in this area. This morning it was a fruit cup, muffin, yogurt as I really need my riding gear to keep fitting me. The next two mornings I did have their egg dish (changed daily) and sausage or bacon.

With my coffee in hand I went out the back door and sat in their patio area and worked on Rumble Alberta planning, while the birds sang in the fire scarred valley off the backlot. This was the routine for the rest of my stay, when I was not out exploring the local trails, lakes and sand dunes.

As I stated earlier, I am a big fan of the Marriott hotels, and I am really a big fan of the ladies and gentlemen that worked hard to ensure my stay was an amazing experience. I could tell that like most businesses in this area, they are suffering due to the reduced bookings caused by the pandemic and a slower economy, but that did not hamper TownePlace Suites by Marriott; Fort McMurray 321 Sakitawaw Trail, Fort McMurray, Alberta T9H 5E7 Canada Phone: (780) 750-8530