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!