43

Thursday August 15         Cycling Day 35

       Banff (Alb) to Peter Lougheed Park (Alb)

Distance:  (Km). 112

Time:  5:10

Average Speed: (Km/ hr). 21.65

Ascent:  (m). 989

Heart Rate: (beats / min) 111

Cumulative Distance:   (km). 3844

Cumulative Ascent :  (m).  32,786

Punctures so far : 0

So back on the bike today just as Saoirse, Oisin and Eimear went back to school yesterday. Great to be back.

We have 6 new riders from Canada, US, England and Australia and a couple from Calgary as guests for two days. I’ll get to know them over the next few days. We’re on the road now for a 6 day stretch in this section known as Road to the Sun. So I’m finished with the Ice.

A touch of ice this morning as we gathered outside Bumpers at 7 for TDA  breakfast. The most audible words around were ‘nippy’ and ‘chilly’ and all had those extra layers on. That just lasted for an hour and then the sun beamed down on us.

Out of Banff we were on a bike path for 18 km to the town of Canmore. Bike paths don’t have hills and we careered along gaily. By Canmore we were out of the National Park. Even during those early kms those rocky peaks were always nearby.

Bow River.

Once out of the park industrial plants began to appear but no great truck traffic as a result.

And my brakes were as quiet as mice today, no squealing. My adjustments must have been up to professional standards. I have replacement blocks in my permanent bag for use when necessary.

After Canmore we dropped onto Highway 1 and heading  east with a beautiful tailwind rushing us along. But at 46 km we turned right southwards, crossed the Bow River and now the wind was more an adversary than a friend. Still, can’t complain since wind has been virtually neutral so far. Now we were on the Kanakanaskis Trail and would be on it almost till camp. Speed dropped and flat roads became a slight pull. 

But all around there was sufficient to distract in the way of lakes, peaks, ranges and valleys ahead. Those peaks seem to have been only recently sculpted from a larger piece. Still you can see trees surviving in the most unlikely spots high up. Nakisha Mountain Resort (on Olympic Summit 2470 m) are verdant green especially on the ski runs that were used when the Winter Olympics were held in Calgary.

And I just show you some of them. Looking forward and looking back was equally attractive.

Barrier Lake




Nakisha.








Kankanaski Range.

Coming near of today’s ride I came across Rocky Mountain Sheep on two different occasions. At lunch we got notice that a grizzly was on the road 30 km ahead but a Park Ranger was there on hand. Not a sign of either of them when I got that far.

Rocky Mountain Sheep

At 104 km I turned off the Kananaskis Trail for 8 km to reach Peter Lougheed Campground set in mature forest. 

Home.......for tonight.

I arrived in camp at 1:45 and swiftly set up a lovely dry tent. Haven’t done that for a while. One rider (who has kept records) tells me that we have had 23 consecutive days with rain, either on the road or during camp. But luckily never had to put up or take down the tent in rain. Will the 23 day sequence be broken today? Fine and sunny now at 4 pm but it’s early yet.

Thank God for the health and thank God for the energy.