Hello..

I'm going to be spending some time in Banff in the near future. Hoping to get in some riding. Anyone know any good rides in the area?

Hello..

I'm going to be spending some time in Banff in the near future. Hoping to get in some riding. Anyone know any good rides in the area?

Shortly, I'll also be cycling through Banff -- on my way to Calgary. While I know of no essential rides and, therefore, can propose none, Johnston Canyon (within Banff) comes as a highly recommended destination for sightseeing. Perhaps the spectacular scenery the canyon offers to hikers http://craig.afox.org/images/johnston/ is worth parking the bike for a day or two.


Luke

Hi leadag & luca,

I live in Calgary and could suggest some routes. (Road & Mountain)

What area? (Just around Banff or are you willing to drive to a location)
How long of a ride are you looking for? (km or time)
What kinda riding are you looking to do? (Touring like ride wih lotsa tourist stops, training, scenery, wildlife, perhaps a bit of CX or MTB?)
How good of a shape are you in? (There are some routes with long climbs that still kick my butt)

T.J.

Hi leadag & luca,

I live in Calgary and could suggest some routes. (Road & Mountain)

What area? (Just around Banff or are you willing to drive to a location)
How long of a ride are you looking for? (km or time)
What kinda riding are you looking to do? (Touring like ride wih lotsa tourist stops, training, scenery, wildlife, perhaps a bit of CX or MTB?)
How good of a shape are you in? (There are some routes with long climbs that still kick my butt)

T.J.

Fantastic. Ok my setup is a credit card tourer: Jamis Nova CX with 32x700c sized rubber and a Carradice saddlebag. I'll also be wearing a small backpack. This configuration will, in the extreme, allow non-technical trails and dirt backroads -- North shore free rides are definitely out!

As for length and type of rides: fitness shouldn't be a concern. Calgary/Banff will constitute the terminus of a month's worth of riding through BC -- by the time I gain Banff I won't be packing much extra lard! I'm partial to rides -- and hikes -- that offer spectacular vistas but want to avoid excessively "touristified" stops. (Yeah right, that's why I'm going to Banff :-)

Apart from a route's falling within the limitations of my setup, I've one major concern: proximity to accommodation. On this tour there'll be no camping; hostels will provide the majority of, if not all, accommodation. So if you recommend a century that takes me to Tuktuyuktuk and requires that my ride and self be driven back to civilization, I'll have to decline. Ideally, the recommended rides should be completely accessible by bike as well as begin and end near a town with a motel, hotel, or hostel.

As my itinerary is subject to improvisation, I don't know how long I'll be in the area. Provisionally, the plan is to cross the divide via Hwy. 93, pedalling through Vermillion Crossing to Castle Mountain, where I can follow Hwy. 1A to either Lake Louise or Banff. There are hostels in both towns and, while taking in the local sights, I anticipate overnighting in both. So let's assume the area circumscribed by Banff and Lake Louise will comprise the extent of my wanderings in the park. Are there any recommended rides within, or nearby, that vicinity?

Hopefully I'm wrong, but following Banff, I suspect the attractions that Calgary affords cyclists will pale. Are there any rides that will convince me otherwise?

Lastly, Tequila, if you've a ride or area which you consider essential to experience, but requires a modification of my general plan, by all means state it. I'm amenable to suggestions.


Thanks
Luke

Hi, thanks for the replies.

My plan is to bring the road bike. Fitness is quite good, and I'm hoping to find some good climbs for training. I"m interested in anything from 25km loop up to 100+km.

cheers,
andrew

Hi Guys,

There is a nice loop starting just east of the Lake Louise township. Take the Bow Valley Parkway and follow that till it meets up with the number 1 highway. You can head back on the number 1 or just go back on the Bow Valley. The Bow Valley Parkway is a road less travelled in the off season but in the hieght of summer, watch out for thiose motor homes. This is about 100km loop from Lake Louise.

If you get a chance, ride up to Morain Lake into the valley of 11 peaks. This is the lake that was printed on the back of old 20 dollar bill. It's much nicer than Lake Louise IMO. It is about a 40 km out and back on the road leading up to the Chateau Lake Louise. The water is an amazing tourquois/blue and you can see 11 mountain peeks from the vantage points. I believe that this lake is a must see if you are in the area.

Moving closer to Calgary now, highway 40 is an awsome ride. It is closed to motorized traffic til mid June for wildlife conservation porposesd. You are guranteed to see alot of wildlife on this ride. (Big Horn, Elk, Deer, even Bear if your lucky) You can ride in the middle of the road without worry of traffic. Luke, this is a true century ride if your start from Canmore to Longview. Head east on the #1 highway and turn into Kananaskis Highway 40. Head down Highway 40 til it hooks up with 541. There is a motel at Longview. Depending on the time of year and if you want to shorten the ride, you might want to stay at the Kananaskis Lodge in the Kanaskis Village. This will knock about 45 km off the ride. Form Longview, head north on highway 22. You will have rolling foothills till you enter Calgary at the south end. Remember, this route has a lot of big climbs, the biggest going through the Highwood pass. The Highwood might be a great climb for Andrew to do his intervals. There may even be some glacial snow at the Highwood pass in late May. I've been there in July and there was snow on the side of the road.

If you decide Highway 40 isn't your thing, there is a nice ride to Calgary on Highway 1a. It gets a fraction of the traffic number 1 gets and is more scenic. However, there are very small shoulders on certain parts of the road within the indian reservation. Ghost Lake is along the way to Cochrane. Stop in at the famous ice cream shop there and carb up cause there is a big but short climb just east of the town toward Calgary.

I do the Cochrane to Bragg Creek run alot. It is about 75 km round trip with very wide shoulders. A very popular route for the roadies and you will run into dozens on this road on the weekends.

Calgary has 100's of km of bike path that links all corners of the city. The scenery pales to what you will see in the foothils and mountans. However, the routes are relativley flat and will let you tour the entire city without having to ride on the road for the most part.

Map of highway 40 and places to stay $ see.
http://www.canmorekananaskis.com/sightseeing/Maps/highway_40_to_kananaskis_village.html

Nice B&B in Canmore. Kinda pricey, there are a lot of nice motels in Canmore.
http://amblesidelodge.com/rates.htm

Good links. Check out links 2,3,4 & 5 under Alberta Rockies.
http://www.foundlocally.com/Rockies/Travel/Nearby.htm

Moraine Lake
http://www.morainelake.com/

Let me know if you have any questions or would like other information.

T.J.

Hi Guys,

There is a nice loop starting just east of ....



Thanks TJ! I'm envious: spectacular vistas and superior riding all at your doorstep. Too bad that can't be said of Toronto. A printout of your post is accompanying me westward.

Map in hand, I've been tracing the Rte. 40 ride. Fantastic, no cars. A little Googling reveals Kananaskis (Ribbon Creek Hostel) has a $20+ per night hostel. Should the ride be spread over two days -- sounds like there is much to see -- that'll do for lodging. Additionally, there's recourse to the hotel in Longview (and further accommodation in Black Diamond).

The more one delves into the possiblities that Banff/Calgary offer, the more one realizes that they are inexhaustible. The place is inundated with trails (http://www.tourismcanmore.com/cycling.htm). Next time out a MTB will be my ride.

Well I know what I won't be doing: With all those lakes I expected to take the odd dip enroute. But if mountain passes still harbor the odd snow patch still in July (!!!), that definitely will NOT be happening.

Luke

Hi Luca,

Highway 40 is going to be an awsome ride. It will be a nice final ride in the mountains before you head east onto the prairies. What time of the year are you going? Are you riding all the way back to TO?

I often camp at the Spray Lakes just west of Ribbon Creek. It is a beautiful area. The water temp. in August will freeze the balls off of a brass monkey so don't count on any swimming. It's all fresh mountain runoff.

The Black Diamond Hotel is a cool place especially for small town Alberta. Sometmes they bring in live classic rock bands on the weekends. I remember bands like Nazareth, Harlequin & Truimph playing there in the past.

I should clarify that highway 40 is not closed from highway number 1 to the Kananaskis village. It is closed from the Kananaskis Village and the higway 531/40 connection. However, it is way more scenic with much less cars than highway 1.

I will PM you with my phone number. Call me if you run into trouble and need help while in Alberta.

T.J.

Hi Luca,

Highway 40 is going to be an awsome ride. It will be a nice final ride in the mountains before you head east onto the prairies. What time of the year are you going? Are you riding all the way back to TO?



If only there was time. I managed to weasel a month off work -- all of June -- and, since the left coast is largely uncharted territory to me, I've decided to restrict my pedalling to B.C. and the western periphery of Alberta.

I touch down in Vancouver on May 31. The first week will find me riding around Vancouver; up the Sunshine Coast; then, after hopping a ferry to Vancouver Island and riding down the island coast to Victoria, another ferry will return me to Vancouver.

The rest of June will be devoted to winding my way eastward (primarily along Rte. 3) toward Calgary/Banff. Calgary will be the end of my wanderings: there a Westjet redeye awaits to haul my hide back east on June 28.




I often camp at the Spray Lakes just west of Ribbon Creek. It is a beautiful area. The water temp. in August will freeze the balls off of a brass monkey so don't count on any swimming. It's all fresh mountain runoff.



Looks like I'll be leaving the swim trunks at home this time round. From where I sit the entire BC/Western AB region appears about as close to Eden as a mortal has the right to expect. Awe-inspiring vistas, winding roads, hiking trails -- there seems no shortage of natural beauty. I debated whether I should pack the camping gear for this tour, but the prevalence of hostels and a desire to travel light decided the issue.




The Black Diamond Hotel is a cool place especially for small town Alberta. Sometmes they bring in live classic rock bands on the weekends. I remember bands like Nazareth, Harlequin & Triumph playing there in the past.




Small world. Mike Levine (bass player for Triumph) used to be my neighbor here in Riverdale -- that's a neighbourhood in Toronto. That'd be funny running into him in the wilds of AB!



I should clarify that highway 40 is not closed from highway number 1 to the Kananaskis village. It is closed from the Kananaskis Village and the higway 531/40 connection. However, it is way more scenic with much less cars than highway 1.

I will PM you with my phone number. Call me if you run into trouble and need help while in Alberta.

T.J.

Great. I don't anticipate anything more serious other than minor mechanical problems (which I'm prepared for), but ya never know....

Keep on rolling!
Luke

I'll be in Banff next month as well. Any suggestions for day-trip style road rides for a fit rider and a not-so-fit mostly non-riding spouse?

What about shorter, but feel-like-you-accomplished-something climbs that don't involve leaving the spouse by herself for too long? The map I have shows what look like a lot of switchbacks on Mt. Norquay road. Is it rideable/open to bikes? How long and how steep? It'd be fun to roll out at 6:00 some morning, knock that baby out and still be back to have breakfast with the Mrs.

I'll be in Banff next month as well. Any suggestions for day-trip style road rides for a fit rider and a not-so-fit mostly non-riding spouse?

What about shorter, but feel-like-you-accomplished-something climbs that don't involve leaving the spouse by herself for too long? The map I have shows what look like a lot of switchbacks on Mt. Norquay road. Is it rideable/open to bikes? How long and how steep? It'd be fun to roll out at 6:00 some morning, knock that baby out and still be back to have breakfast with the Mrs.

Are you both on road bikes? There are some awesome trails that are relatively flat, not technical and very scenic but they have sections of packed dirt/crushed shale.

The Mt Norquay ski area access road is a fabulous training run that is paved all the way up. There may be some gravel in spots so watch out on your way down. You will see a lot of Roadies & Mt Bikers using it for interval training. It kicks a lot of butt. I totally forgot all about this climb. leadag would like this for his training. It is very close to the township of Banff and depending on where you are staying, it is a 5-10 minute ride out from your hotel.

T.J.

Thanks, TJ. We'll probably be renting bikes. Looks like at least one shop has a "swap in/out" program where you get a week of bike for a flat fee and can swap townies for mtbs for road bikes, etc.

So I assume we'll have no problem getting the right bike (hybrid or hardtail mtb?) for the awesome and scenic trails you describe. They sound perfect for us. Any details you can supply will be greatly appreciated.

Any idea on how long the Mt. Norquay road is from the cross of the Expressway to where you run out of pavement?

Thanks, TJ. We'll probably be renting bikes. Looks like at least one shop has a "swap in/out" program where you get a week of bike for a flat fee and can swap townies for mtbs for road bikes, etc.

So I assume we'll have no problem getting the right bike (hybrid or hardtail mtb?) for the awesome and scenic trails you describe. They sound perfect for us. Any details you can supply will be greatly appreciated.

Any idea on how long the Mt. Norquay road is from the cross of the Expressway to where you run out of pavement?

The climb is about 7 km up to the Norquay ski area from the No. 1 highway overpass. If you're at the ski area parking lot and up for a little adventure, head toward the lodge and continue on down the drainage to the sign at the "Forty Mile Trail" head. There is a sweet little rocky single track descent called "Horse Trail to Banff" This will wind around the back side of Stony Squaw Mountain and bring you to a gate at the number 1 highway about 2km east from where you started. This is a little more fun than just going back down the road but you will definatly need a mountain bike.

The Spray Loop is an easy novice mountain bike loop that is 12 km long on a gravel hard packed dirt road. It'll take about 1-2 hours to complete. The trail head is located at the Banff Springs hotel upper parking lot. There is a gated gravel road on the south side which is the start of the trail. If you're feeling adventurous, at about 6 km instead of taking the loop back, head straight onto the Goat Creek Trail. This 12 km trail will bring you to the town of Canmore where you can stop for a bite to eat or shop. Canmore is not as "touristy" as Banff. Its smaller; kinda like a Banff lite. Head back the way you came. This is a nice ride to take it easy, pack a lunch, go at a slow pace, take lots of pictures, and feed the squirrels.

There is another way back to Banff on the Rundle Riverside that starts at the Canmore Nordic Center but it is full of roots, rocks and has steep little climbs. However, if she is up to some beginner/intermediate mountain biking terrain, this one is nice.

There is another nice partially paved novice trail called The Bow Valley Bomber. If your riding on mainstreet, go over the bridge and turn right. Go past the Indian trading post past the Cave & Basin historic site and continue on the paved path. This is about 8 km out and back on the same path along the Bow River and Sundance Creek. Nice views of the mountains. You can turn it into a loop by heading onto Healy Creek trail and take the No 1 highway back to Banff but this might make you wife nervous (Cars wizzing by at 110 km/hr.) There are some nice little hikes along the way if you want to ditch the bikes in the bushes.

Let me know if you would like anymore info.

T.J.