Big Muddy Mega – Route Review

Route at a Glance

Distance: 3-day bikepacking loop – approx. 250km

Surface: Mostly gravel, dirt roads, small amount of pavement

Difficulty: Moderate – remoteness is the biggest challenge

Best Bike: Gravel bike with 40 mm+ tires

Food & Water: Plan to carry 4-5L of water. Calculate nutrition carefully. Limited resupply and water.

Highlights: Big Muddy Badlands, wildlife, quiet rolling terrain, prairie history

Accommodation: Ogema Regional Park and Jean Louis Legare Regional Park Link to the Route: https://www.saskcyclingroutes.ca/south-west/big-muddy-mega

Why Ride It?

The Big Muddy Mega showcases a part of Saskatchewan that doesn't get enough attention. The Missouri Coteau. Quiet roads, rolling terrain, wide-open valleys, wildlife, and historic prairie landscapes make this a rewarding trip for cyclists. The riding isn't especially technical, but the lack of services along the route means good planning is essential.

What to Expect

Expect long stretches without services, very little traffic and limited cell coverage. Carry more water and food than you think you'll need, and be prepared for rapidly changing prairie weather.  Bring a “paint stick” along just in case you need to scrape mud off your bike. If riding in late June or July be prepared as this is Saskatchewan’s storm season.

The Ride

Day 1 – Bengough to Ogema

I'd wanted to explore the Bengough area for years. When my friend Randy shared this route, the distance and climbing looked manageable, but the remoteness is what stood out immediately. I called up my friends Blair and Terry to tell them about the route.  They were excited about exploring a new region of the province and agreed to join me.  We picked the date and when it came, we packed our bikes and headed to Bengough to start the adventure.

Within the first 10km of the route we knew this route was going to deliver. We rolled through badlands, coulees, rolling hills and long stretches of gravel without seeing a vehicle the entire day. We saw more wildlife than traffic, including a moose, pronghorn, hawks, mule deer, rabbits and a garter snake.

Late in the day I learned a simple bikepacking lesson.  The sandwich I brought for lunch had spent too many hours in the summer heat; it had gone funky and I couldn’t eat it. That decision caught up with me over the final 20 km. Blair and Terry slowed the pace, and we enjoyed the scenery into Ogema.

After setting up camp at Ogema Regional Park, hot showers and brisket at Bud's BBQ made for a great end to the day.

Day 2 – Ogema to Willow Bunch

The morning started with rain and hail which made for an 'exhilarating' first 30 minutes of the route. Fortunately the surface never became unrideable, and once it dried we were rewarded with a steady tailwind.

Willow Bunch brought another reminder that remote riding requires planning. The campground didn't have potable water, and we had counted on having water at the campsite to cook our supper and to fill our bottles for the next day. Thankfully nearby campers shared enough water for supper, but we still needed to think ahead for the next day.  Luckily the grocery store in town opened early the next day and we were able to fill our bottles for free.  Adding to the challenge, severe afternoon storms were in the forecast for Day 3.

Day 3 – Willow Bunch to Bengough

We left early and adjusted our route to stay ahead of the weather. The final day linked together quiet grid roads, dirt farm roads, and a little pavement. Along the way we passed abandoned schools, abandoned Eaton's catalogue farmhouses, old stone homes and wide valleys with coal draglines visible on the horizon.

We rolled back into Bengough just before the rain arrived and celebrated with breakfast, in the afternoon, at OMG Coffee and Creamery while looking back on three memorable days.

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Camping & Food

Ogema Regional Park is walkable distance from the restaurants and grocery stores in Ogema. We stayed in the non-electrified campsites and enjoyed the showers. Bengough, Sk also has a campground should you need to camp at the start/end location. We did not stay here but you can find information on the regional park here. The campground in Willow Bunch is called the Jean Louis Legare Regional Park. The park is located just outside of town and has a paved climb, with some sting, to arrive at it's entrance gate. We booked our site online and chose an electrified site. To our dismay the power box only had 30 amp power, lacking 110v plugins making it impossible to charge our devices. Luckily we brought battery packs to charge our equipment. The site itself was very nice and the shower buildings were very recently renovated. Also be aware that the water in this regional park was not potable. Bud's BBQ or Solo Italia Pizza in Ogema are two great restaurants to visit. OMG Coffee and Creamery in Bengough is worth a visit. You can find a grocery store in Willow Bunch called Willow Bunch Fine Foods.

Would I Ride It Again?

Absolutely. The Big Muddy Mega isn't difficult because of steep climbs or technical terrain. It's memorable because of its solitude, scenery and the need to be self-sufficient. If you're looking for a bikepacking route that is rarely flat, feels remote, but never too far from civilization, this one deserves a place on your list. ~Paul C

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