| Planning a bike tour in the Canadian Rockies | | | | of the Athabasca Glacier and in the shadow of |
| Travelling from Banff to Jasper in the Canadian | | | | the Columbia Icefields. The scenery here is out of |
| Rocky Mountain National Parks is an amazing | | | | this world, so I am not going to try to decribe it. |
| journey. Many superlatives have been used to | | | | It is very busy here during the day but evening |
| describe this road. I think it is the most beautiful | | | | can be magical, if the weather cooperates. From |
| mountain road in the world. Travelling between | | | | the Icefields it is another 60 miles or 100k to |
| Banff and Jasper by bicycle is a whole different | | | | Jasper. There is one more lodge about half way |
| journey from just seeing it from behind a car | | | | at Sunpwata Falls. The lodge is nothing |
| window. You get to experience the dramatic | | | | spectacular, however the restaurant is very good. |
| mountains, rivers, waterfalls and more than a | | | | Jasper again offers all sorts of lodgings for all |
| hundred glaciers with the wind in your hair and at | | | | tastes and wallets. |
| a pace that will allow this timeless landscape to | | | | By far the best direction to do this tour is |
| leave a lasting memory with you. I have travelled | | | | southbound – from Jasper to Banff. The |
| on this road more than 30 times by bike. I did it | | | | biggest reason for that is, that you will be looking |
| self supported with panniers, I have led many | | | | at all the north faces of the mountains while |
| guided all-inclusive tours and I have done it on a | | | | cycling. That’s where all the glaciers are. I find |
| race bike going hard in one day. Each of the | | | | going the other way a lot less inspiring. If you |
| experiences I had, were extremely different from | | | | want to travel this direction you can take the |
| each other. | | | | Brewster bus right from Calgary airport all the |
| It depends on the amount of time you have, | | | | way to Jasper. They will transport bikes. If you |
| your fitness level, your finances and the level of | | | | want to start your ride in Banff, take the Banff |
| comfort you need while travelling, to determine | | | | Airporter from the airport, they will also transport |
| how you can ride this amazing road. For most | | | | a bike. |
| cyclists coming from all over the world Calgary will | | | | If you want to get the most out of this tour, I |
| be your gateway to the Canadian Rockies. If you | | | | recommend to take a week. Sure you can ride it |
| bring your bike on the plane and you are set on | | | | in a very long day if you are extremely fit. But |
| doing this as a self supported journey you can | | | | that will not do this road justice. And besides |
| start riding right from the airport and take the | | | | there are so many great hikes and optional rides |
| relatively quiet HWY 1A west to Banff. The | | | | along the way which will really enhance the |
| National Parks of the Canadian Rockies between | | | | experience. You do not want to miss the hanging |
| Banff and Jasper offer a great infrastructure with | | | | Angel Glacier at Mt Edith Cavell. That is a 8 mile |
| campgrounds and Youth Hostels. Most | | | | 14k one way climb. It is spectacular but adds |
| campgrounds are quite primitive and only the | | | | quite a bit of time. You also want to have time at |
| very busy and less idyllic campgrounds in Banff, | | | | the Icefields and at least a day around Lake |
| Lake Louise and Jasper offer a hot shower at the | | | | Louise to do some hiking or to ride into the Valley |
| end of the day. On all other campgrounds you will | | | | of the Ten Peaks. A week is spent easily here, |
| have to toughen up and go for a quick dip in one | | | | after all it is one of the world’s most |
| of the many cold lakes or even colder rivers. If | | | | spectacular areas and a World Heritage Site. |
| you want less exposure to the elements you can | | | | Please do not race through it with your head |
| travel from Youth Hostel to Hostel. These are | | | | down! |
| spaced in comfortable distances of about 40 miles | | | | The road itself has been repaved in several areas |
| along the road. During the busy summer season | | | | lately however it can be quite rough in some |
| you will need reservations for these hostels. | | | | spots. Winter conditions are harsh here and some |
| Comfort levels range very much from the | | | | sections have lots of frost heaves. If you travel |
| “posh” and hotel-like Lake Louise hostel to | | | | with a road bike I recommend wider touring tires |
| very basic group bunk room offerings. If you | | | | for more cushion. Make sure your bike is well |
| travel self-supported the only places to buy | | | | tuned up and does not have worn parts. There |
| groceries between Banff and Jasper are at Lake | | | | are no bike shops between Lake Louise and |
| Louise (small grocery store) and about half way | | | | Jasper and you need to carry tubes and tools if |
| at Saskatchewan Crossing (small convenience | | | | you are riding unsupported. Since you are |
| store). If you want to travel more upscale you | | | | travelling among high mountains and at altitudes |
| can stay at several lodges and hotels along the | | | | between 4500 and 7000 feet the weather can be |
| way. Both Banff and Jasper as starting or finishing | | | | quite variable. Even on hot summer days |
| points of your journey have hotels, B&B’s | | | | temperatures can drop to near freezing level at |
| and hostels in almost all price categories. Lake | | | | night, so if you are planning a camping trip bring a |
| Louise has 6 hotels and the hostel. Price levels are | | | | warm sleeping bag and some warm clothes. Since |
| fairly high here because it is a very sought after | | | | the entire road parallels the Continental Divide on |
| location. If you do not want to part with a lot of | | | | the east side, summers are generally fairly dry, |
| money to afford the stay at the Chateau at the | | | | however you need raingear for the odd |
| Lake I highly recommend Deer Lodge next door. | | | | downpour or a thunderstorm. You can expect |
| It still preserves the historic flair of an era gone | | | | temperatures between 20-30 Celsius or 68-85 F |
| by and is only 3 minutes on foot from the Lake. | | | | in the summer, however there can be cold days |
| The Lake Louise hostel is also an amazing place as | | | | in the 10 C / 50F range. It never gets too hot to |
| far as hostels go. One of my favourite lodges to | | | | ride here and there are plenty of cold lakes to |
| stay is Num-Ti-Jah Lodge about 25 miles north of | | | | cool off, my favourites being Honeymoon Lake |
| Lake Louise. It was built by one of the legendary | | | | and Herbert Lake. |
| mountain men of the Rockies, Jimmy Simpson. | | | | There are several tour companies offering this |
| The setting right on Bow Lake near the tree line | | | | trip. I am a bit biased and highly recommend |
| within view of Bow Glacier is amazing and there is | | | | Rocky Mountain Cycle Tours. They have been |
| no warmer, cosier place in the Rockies to retreat | | | | doing this since 1977 and we are the local |
| to after a hard ride than the couch in front of the | | | | company up here. I honestly think our trip is by |
| big river rock fire place. But my absolute favourite | | | | far the best tour on the Icefields Parkway and I |
| for post ride recovery is the little hidden wood | | | | will hopefully see you out here on day. But no |
| fired sauna in the trees behind the parking lot. | | | | matter how you travel in the Canadian Rockies or |
| Alternate sauna with dips into Bow Lake and you | | | | with whom you go, the mountains and the |
| will fee so good you don’t know what hit you. | | | | amazing scenery will touch you and ensure that |
| There is a motel at Saskatchewan Crossing but it | | | | you will have a great time. Enjoy your cycling |
| is just that, a motel in a less than inspiring location. | | | | adventure! |
| Next up is the Icefields Chalet. It sits right in front | | | | |