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| Frequently Asked Questions 1. How do we get to Fort George – Buckingham House ? FG-BH is 13 km east of Elk Point. Follow the blue highway signs. Elk Point is located where Hwy 41 crosses the North Saskatchewan River, about two hours east of Edmonton. 2. If we come for the weekend, where can we stay? Elk Point has both motels and campgrounds. Lindbergh, has free camping. Heinsburg is a ghost town on the North Saskatchewan, 15 km farther east which also has free camping. Whitney Lakes Provincial Park has excellent campgrounds. The park also has 30 km of bike trails and four lakes for paddling. See the albertaparks.ca website for more info. Find out more about the region thru albertaslakeland.ca 3. How will the Riverland Challenge day unfold? The 2010 Riverland Challenge starts at 11:00am at Elk Point River Park. Registration begins at 9:00. Signs will direct you to the site just south of the town of Elk Point. Please drop your canoe at the park under the Hwy 41 bridge, and then take your vehicle and bicycles to Fort George – Buckingham House. Once again, signs and volunteers will direct you. Transportation will be provided to get you back to the river starting point. Fuel up on some tea and bannock and, if you choose, take part in one of our four voyageur challenges. Canoes put in at 11:00 for a 10 km trip to Fort George Buckingham House. From there you will be directed along the 3 km run / hike thru the two historic fort sites. There will be a voyageur challenge at both Buckingham House and Fort George. Your bikes will be waiting for you at the interpretive centre for the 15 km cycling route, which this year, is out and back on a paved country road. A hearty voyageur meal awaits at the end of the route. Those who are competing in the challenge events will face their last competition at the interpretive centre. Prizes will be awarded to the oldest team, the youngest team, best costume, the participant from farthest away and to the voyageur challenge winners. Total time will take between two and four hours, depending on how you tackle your Riverland Challenge. 4. What is the entry fee used for? There are lots of costs to putting on an event including insurance, bibs, food and headbands. |
5. Is this a race? Technically, no. There will be prizes for the youngest team, oldest team, best fur trade costumes and team from farthest away. There will also be some general participant draws. Feel free to set your own race challenge with your friends. 6. What about safety? Challenge organizers have planned carefully to make this a safety conscious event, however, personal safety is an individual responsibility. Be prepared to be on the river. Include all safety equipment in your canoe including PFDs, an extra paddle, bailer, whistles, and ropes tied to each end of your canoe. All cyclists must wear a helmet for this event. Volunteers will be stationed at intervals along the route to assist participants. 7. What else is there to do while we are in the area? There are geocaches to find, two fort sites to explore and an interpretive centre to visit. For those who want more paddling and pedalling adventure, we recommend longer stretches of the North Saskatchewan River and Alberta’s Iron Horse Trail. For more information on events and things to do in the area, call (888) 645-4155 for an Alberta’s Lakeland Visitor Guide or visit albertaslakeland.ca 8. Is this an annual event? This is our third time out, and we plan to host paddling and pedaling on the last Saturday in May every year. Next year, we will start with cycling from FG-BH west to the Elk Point Bridge, then canoeing back to FG-BH and ending with a run past the two fort sites. 9. Do you have an environmental policy? The Riverland Challenge encourages non-motorized, low impact recreation. Please bring your own water bottle; refill stations will be provided along the way. Also, for the post-event meal, feel free to use your own camp dishes. 10. How do I register? Complete the registration form on our website and mail to the address given. Call 1 888 645-4155 for more information. |
Canoes and bicycles are not provided. |
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