Last day of Biking: Banff to Calgary

We have left the mountains behind....Here is a shot from the road, looking back at where we have been.

I am here in the dorm at the University in Calgary. We rode 90 miles today, bringing my odometer total for the trip 902 miles. Dean is out cycling around the parking lot here to try to get 6 more miles, because he was just short of 900.

It was kind of an emotional day for me. I sure hate the end of bicycle trips.

The first 50 miles or so was fast and easy. I would have liked to spend more time cycling in the Banff area, but with a 90 mile day ahead of us, extra miles were not a possibility. So we headed straight out of town, following the route. When we got to the first town, we saw bikes in front of "Tim Horton's" coffee shop, but that's not a place I wanted to stop. We almost rode right by the only coffee place in town, but fortunately, Jane was there



and we spotted her bike. Dean, Jane, Karl and I all had muffins and lattes together.
Back on the road for some easy riding.


But after about 60 miles, there was a nasty stretch of road: 7 miles, busy highway, mostly uphill, strong headwinds. I got so mad at Dean for not waiting for me and letting me draft him! But I was really just emotional because it is the last day of our trip.

Once we turned off the main road, we were on a county road with rolling hills and it was nice cycling again. We saw some cyclists ahead, stopped and looking puzzled. It was Paul and Neal.



"Follow me!" I yelled to them. And they did.

After this point, the route directions were pretty confusing. We rode on a highway for one exit, then left for a bike path along the Bow River.


Four of us (Paul, Neal, Dean, and I) rode together for the rest of the day. We arrived around 4:30, hot and sweaty, with different feelings about the end of the ride. Me: sad, because I would like to just keep on riding. Paul:


hopes to never see his bicycle again!

People all had "adventures" trying to get to the University today. Fred actually ended up on top of the ski jump (from the Calgary Winter Olympics) and had to get a ride down on a ski lift! (with his bike).

A rainstorm in Banff

It was a great ride from Lake Louise to Banff, along the Bow River Parkway. We hoped to see lots of wild animals, especially another bear. I told Dean, you look to the right, I'll look to the left.

Rocky mountain sheep were promised;


the earlier riders all showed off photos of them! But the sheep were all apparently napping when we rode by.




I spotted a deer on the left.















Dean was going too fast around a corner and didn't spot this elk on the right. But I did (obviously).

We hit the Banff Public Library when we got to town---it's always a treat to find a computer and check our email.


Our campground is up a big hill from town. After dinner, we caught a bus back to downtown with the Barbs.

We heard that last year, the bus was free, but this year we had to pay.

We ate monstrous ice cream sundaes.






Then, the B's were tired and decided to head back to camp. But we felt too gross from all that ice cream and needed to walk it off.




















We ran into Vince and Lynda at the bridge, and learned that Lynda was on a mission. She wanted to see the Banff Hotel. So we followed her, and walked and walked and the sky grew darker and darker.

At last, the hotel appeared!

We wandered through it,





since Lynda was sure there was a great view from the other side. Not so impressive.

It seemed that rain might fall any minute. We consulted a map and realized we did not need to walk all the way back to the village center, but could catch our bus in front of the hotel. Vince and Lynda let us share their free bus passes (compliments of their lodging!) So our ride home really was free.

The rain started while we were on the bus. At camp, we raced for our tent. We are now cozy inside, while the wind and rain are storming mightily outside.

View of the campground before we took the bus to town:


View of the campground just before the rain started. It is still daylight hours:

Water, Mountains, Trees

I am starting to get satiated from (with?) the scenic beauty that I am witnessing. At first, the views of the Rockies were breath-taking. A few days ago, I was filled with wonder at every turn. I had to take photos of every scenic spot. Now? Ho hum, another beautiful spot. Should I stop and take a picture? I may never be here again, it's my only chance! However, I already have

52 shots of water, mountain, trees. How many more do I need. Here are some of my extras:





























You're still here? Did you see them all? Enough already!

Sometimes you get the Bear

....but this time, we got the hare.

Even though no bears were spotted today, we took chances and got lucky every time.

Yesterday evening, we were exhausted. I was glad to hear that today's ride would be short (Lake Louise to Banff, about 40 miles). Last night, I did not think I would want to add any distance to that.

But this morning, I had new found energy! I was willing to consider the optional sidetrips, and one in particular was sorely tempting me.

First, we decided that seeing Lake Louise was a must, despite hearing that there was a steep 4K climb to get there. After all, how could we say we had been to Lake Louise without even seeing the lake?

By the way, the "town" of Lake Louise can hardly even be described as a town---it's a tiny mall.






All the more reason to make sure we saw the actual lake.

We met Jim and Dave at the lake and I really wanted to get a photo of them by the water. (Here they are, but obviously not the posed photo.)

Unfortunately, they had already had a stranger take their picture, but Dave took a snapshot of Dean and I.



The backdrop is so outrageously beautiful that it really doesn't seem real.






I had to take a photo of this cute family posing by the lake. I think it's a better picture that the one of Dean and I!










The Chateau was not that impressive; glad we didn't try to get to the "high tea" yesterday.


So once we had already made the climb up to the lake, it really wasn't hard to add on another 10K for the sidetrip that caught my attention. According to Bud, if we would follow an abandoned highway for a few miles, we would once again see the Continental Divide. I did ask a lot of questions before persuading Dean to make the trip. "How far is it? How hilly? Is the road paved?" We could not tempt anyone else in the group to come with us, so after our visit to the chateau, we set off.


We took the old Highway 1.




















Now, it is blocked off for cars and is in disrepair, but you can still hike or bike (or cross country ski, in the winter) on it. It had a lot of bumps and holes, so we went slowly. The road seemed to be mostly downhill, which was worrisome, since we anticipated climbing back up.

We saw the hare.

We got to 4 1/2 miles and thought we must have missed it. There was a steep downhill. What the hell---we've come this far, can't turn back now.

Wheeee! We got to the bottom of the hill and there were these huge arches!

This used to be a regular tourist stop ("stop of interest", as they are called in Canada), complete with paths, benches, signs, restrooms, and a picnic area. There was not another soul to be found. I guess it is now a "ghost stop of interest".

We read everything.

We took photos of each other at the spot where the waters divide.































And then we found a map on one of the display boards. It showed that if we simply continued a mile or so down the deserted road, we would get to a spot where we could connect to the new Highway 1 and head back to the town of Lake Louise. We guessed that it would be an easy ride back into town. It seemed worth a try, rather than making our way back uphill on the old road.

We headed back to British Columbia (and PST) and gained an hour. This is the end of the old highway.

In about 15 minutes, we lost the hour again.

The main highway was busy, but it was a short, mostly downhill ride back to town. In this photo, taken from the main road, you can see the old road across a lake.

Total mileage for our sidetrip: 18 miles. We had a blast. Cappuccino and food in the cafe, then we set off for our regular ride for the day.

Lake Louise (the town) 7-22-09

The idea of High Tea at the Chateau on Lake Louise sounded lovely. Therefore, I suggested to Dean that we hit the road early and try to make good time in order to get to Lake Louise early.


But alas, even though we tried our best, we did not arrive at camp till 4:15. And the night before, we had camped at the "primitive" Columbia Icefields, with pit toilets and just a faucet for water. Therefore, showers were the top priority for everyone.

Then, there was the tent fiasco. Barb and Dean had just erected their tents when Ranger Dude came over and insisted they be moved. What is it with Canadian campgrounds? The rule seems to be that tents must be pitched on the hardest, rockiest spot available. We were told that even though the soft dirt had nothing growing on it, we were not allowed to sleep on it because maybe someday plants might choose to grow there. Finally, I have found something in which the US is superior to Canada. At least back home, one is allowed to camp on the best spot available at any campsite.

So now, it is 5:15. We do not know what the time frame is for the "High Tea", but we have heard its 3K to get to the Chateau, and dinner here is served at 6:00. And Bud is making fettucini alfredo.

Instead, after dinner, we will head to the village and look around and have a beer.

I didn't really like rushing today. We had a goal in mind, so it seemed like a good idea, but it didn't work out, so now the rushing seems pointless.

I have noticed that this group has an atmosphere of nervous energy regarding the biking. It was evident the first day, but I thought it would pass. But no, every day, people are rushing to get out of camp, rushing to stay ahead of others. Probably each person has his or her own reasons: What if I am last? What if I get left behind? What if my riding buddies won't wait for me? What if I have bike trouble and there is nobody to help? What if? What if?

Two guys in the group seem quite self-confident, and are not influenced by the group atmosphere. Each definitely marches to his own tune.




Karl

















and Phil










are each very strong cyclists. If they wanted to, they could arrive with the first group every day. But they don't. They leave camp when they feel like it, go off the route whenever they want to, stop and relax when the mood hits them, and so forth. It is also obvious that each of them also truly loves to ride his bicycle.

After we arrive at camp (and on rest days) most people in this group do not touch their bicycle again till the next riding day. They will walk or take a taxi, even when they are traveling an easy distance by bike. But Karl and Phil are rarely far from their bikes, and both often add extra kilometers.

I have learned my lesson today....no more rushing! It's a vacation!