Day 11 - Alberta Bound

Sunshine again!

We started off the day with more climbing, finishing off the Kicking Horse Pass which marked the highest point of the tour. It was a little disappointing in that unlike the Coquihalla, and Rogers Passes, there was no sign at the top, indicating the summit.






Within the first hour of riding, we crossed the Continental Divide on “the old road” which has been converted into a bike path, and entered a new province!  Shortly after we entered the road it was closed to the riders behind us by the park rangers, due to the sighting of four grizzly bears.

After a nice ride down from the Continental Divide we were at Lake Louise,

and then we took a side trip climbing up to Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks, which tower a mile up on the other side of the lake.

In my opinion, the views from Moraine Lake are the most spectacular mountain vistas in North America, and rival those of the European Alps. It was well worth the 16 mile detour, and the descent back to the main road was a blast!






The day ended with a 35 mile ride along the Bow River Parkway into Banff. Along the way we met a Frenchman who started riding west seven weeks ago from Toronto, un supported. He was in great spirits and very encouraging of our venture heading east. He did mention that he was a little tired of riding into headwinds day after day, after day. Apart from the endless mountain vistas, the highlight of the day was seeing a massive bull elk grazing on the side of the road.

We are now just shy of 800 miles of riding on the tour so far and enjoying every minute of it.

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