Day 9 - Inveremere to Banff - we've arrived!! 151.7 km

Submitted by Stan Shaw

What an incredible day.  We left Invermere this morning knowing, with some sadness, that in only a few hours our long journey across British Columbia into the Canadian Rockies would be over

<--Our route for today.  151.7 km.  For more details, click here.

Our elevation profile, as plotted by my bike's Garmin GPS.  Total energy consumed over Sinclair and Vermillion passes: 5341 calories.  


Click on the image to enlarge. 

<--David filling his water bottle with a magic elixir - Simon's favorite energy drink: Coca-Cola!

Simon on the last day-->

Despite the sadness I felt knowing this was the last day of this magnificent tour, I cannot help but say it was also with a sense of relief, too.  I don't know how much more my poor body could take such abuse.

But what a way to end the ride.  As we moved down the highway towards Radium Hot Springs, the mountains towered beside us, giving a hint of what we would be seeing today.

The real climb into Banff began, however, at the turnoff up into Kootenay National Park at Radium Hot Spring, past rushing mountain rivers, into a narrow canyon in the midst of lush, green forest.

"Interesting" house by the side of highway 93 on the way to Sinclair Pass-->

At one point, we cycled through a tunnel, filled with echoed shouts as we passed through.





Signs warned us of a bear on the road as we neared the summit, by Olive Lake.  I didn't see one, however, Malcolm and Wayne told us later they could see from their vantage point in the support vehicle, the bear was down in a side gully below the highway.



However, just rounding the bend, we found two magnificent big horned sheep grazing quietly beside the road.  I was a bit worried one of them might take offense to our presence and ram our bikes.  Thankfully, they tolerated a few clicks of our camera as we passed by.

<--Jill, feeling a bit vulnerable.  To our relief, the sheep didn't seem terribly interested in her.

A couple we passed, riding a heavy tandem bike PLUS a trailer, on their way to Calgary from the BC Interior. Apparently, they had climbed Kootenay Pass on this bike. It was hard enough to do it using our light bikes!!-->

And then, we were at the top of Sinclair Pass. Within a few minutes, we wheeled into the famous Kootenay Valley viewpoint, displaying a wonderful vista of the Canadian Rockies we were about to descend into.

Bob at the Kooteney Pass Viewpoint-->

It was a great opportunity for photos, hugs, and thanks to our wonderful support team for helping us to get there.

<--Support drivers Malcolm (left) and Wayne (right), with Martina

Support drivers Tracy (left) and Simona (right) with Kitty (middle)-->

We then descended into the forested valley that provided something new to see everywhere we looked.  And the wildlife!

Yes, we finally saw a moose. A beautiful animal, it was standing beside the road until the first cyclist passed near by, By the time I arrived, it has moved closer to the woods, but we were still able to take some photos.

A few minutes later, we came across a white tailed deer, and, later, another one.  Nervous, ever watchful, they didn't stay long.

The second deer ran past us, then back and forth along the side of the highway, perhaps a bit unsure of these crazy cyclists in red jerseys passing by.

A small black bear, seen just a few kilometers past the deer-->

We carried on until lunch at the Kootenay Park Lodge.

They say accidents happen most frequently when you are close to your destination.  It certainly was my case.  I managed to collide (thankfully at low speed) with another rider just going into the gravel parking lot, sending me to the pavement.  Opps.  A bruised elbow, and, WORSE, a bruised ego, as the entire CF cycling team watched it happen!  Thankfully, nothing serious, although I was cycling a bit slower for a while while I was straighting various parts of my poor bike that got a bit bent out of shape.

BUT, we were nearly there!  Kitty, Jill and Bob, who were riding with me, kindly waited until I managed to literally 'get back in gear' on the road.

We headed on together for the second and last climb of the tour, reaching the apex at the Continental Divide, just inside the Alberta border.

<--Stan at the Continental Divide, a little battered, but happy.

The weather was threatening to change to rain, but we stayed long enough for photos before a final descent from Vermilion Pass into Banff.

Storm approaching-->

<--The highway grade from Vermilion Pass down to Banff. Click on the image to enlarge.

<--David beginning his final descent

Before we knew it, we were at Johnston Canyon Resort, our planned meeting place before our victory ride into Banff.  It took a while for some of us to get there (partly my fault - I was much slower getting there after my little bump at the Kootenay Park Resort, and, like several other riders, managed to take the wrong turnoff.  But we all got there eventually.  Along the way, we passed by two Parks Canada animal control vehicles, with flashing lights and officers that looked like they meant business.  Apparently, a grizzly had been spotted beside the road just a few yards from Johnston Canyon, and they were not taking any chances.  I'm glad they were there - I didn't want a grizzly thinking I was just his version of Dim Sum Chinese Lunch on moving carts!

And then, the final ride downhill to Banff, past two rather terrifying (to a biker, at least) cattle guards.  These are essentially parallel metal bars spaced several inches apart along a strip about five feet wide that is daunting to wildlife and cattle.  Very effective. But it could also spell a quick end to a victorious ride into Banff if you hit the rails the wrong way on our bikes. The last cattle guard was only a few yards from the welcome sign to Banff.  Several of us got off our bikes and gingerly walked across.

But we made it!!!

Five minutes later, we were in the heart of Banff.  It's such a lovely town, and a happy sight for our weary team.  The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation had booked us into Brewsters Mountain Lodge, a comfortable hotel in the heart of Banff.  Heather Strange was there to greet us with David and Heather's son Carter. A number of other family and friends of riders were there too, clapping as we arrived and unclipped our shoes from pedals for the last time. Whew!



I have much to reflect on this journey, and much to be thankful for.

First, THANK YOU to our sponsors, our volunteers, and donors for making this one of the most successful rides in the five year history of GearUp4CF.  At last count, we have raised over $120,000 for Cystic Fibrosis research.  The support we received was incredible.  I will never forget the hospitality of the Kinsmen and Kinettes that hosted us in many of the towns we passed through.  Thank you so much!

And for our support team - Malcolm, Wayne, Tracy and Simona -  I cannot imagine how hard it must have been to keep all of us happy, fed with delicious lunches and snacks, cared for when we were hurting, encouraged when we were feeling tired, all the while keeping track of a diverse group of riders travelling for over 1200 kilometers at barely 25 kph.   What you did for us is deeply appreciated. We could not have done it without you.

Throughout the ride, I felt the support of my family, friends, and the children I was riding for. In fact, the entire elementary school Madison, Hailey and Roman attend was following our journey (click here to read about the school presentation Roman, his mother Jacqueline and I did a few weeks ago).  That support was crucial in motiving me on during the ride.  Speaking with the parents of CF children who were on the ride - David and Heather Strange, Leona Pinsky, Tom Evans and Simon Ree - added a very personal element. It reminded me that I was not riding for a cause, or for a charity, but for CF children and young adults who need our help. The dedicated researchers who were also riding with us further gave us greater insight. They included James Zlosnik, Rebecca Mallott, Christoff Blohmke (who rode with us last year, and for two days this year), Justin Chan and Tracey Lee (who was one of our support drivers).  These researchers demonstrated how in very real, practical terms, they are helping to improve the outcomes of CF children and adults.  The work they are doing, and the work that is taking place in research labs across Canada through the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is making a difference.  Your financial support is making a difference.

And so, we were all here for reasons that went well beyond riding a bike. And with this in mind, together with the wonderful memories of this journey, we are going home, exhausted, but happy.

- Stan

Would you like to sponsor a favorite rider? IT'S NOT TOO LATE! Click on their name above, or anywhere on this journal to open their "bio" on the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation GearUp4CF web site. Then simply click on the button "Sponsor this Rider".

Day 9 - Inveremere to Banff - Kitty's account

Submitted by Kitty Chavarie

Its done, over and through. We did it all.  1200 kilometers. Personally, it was a huge challenge. I can't believe I have done such a thing in my life.  I have sore muscles everywhere and really looking forward to my own bed, home and food and family as my whole life has been bike bike bike for so many days,  BUT I am also very very glad to have done this.

Kitty at the Kootenay Pass Viewpoint-->

<--Jill and Bob Payne with Kitty (middle)

Today for our last ride we had lots of wildlife show up to keep us entertained.  We saw a bull moose, white tailed deer, two bighorn sheep, a black bear, a grizzly bear and lots of little gophers - hilarious looking critters.  The scenery was amazing, from riding through a tunnel, viewing glaciers close up,


and riding past glacial rivers with water as turquoise as you can imagine.







It's so different from seeing the province from a car. The scent in the air a lot of day was like lilacs (?) - I couldn't see a lilac  anywhere but sure did like the smell.  Oh and the wild rose smell too - just wonderful.

Kitty riding past mountain flowers beside the road-->

When we got to the Continental Divide we had a photo session - of course!  The signage there is still the original from when I was first across Canada as a kid.  

Jill and Bob Payne at the Continental Divide.  They seem to be leaning on the Atlantic side of the Divide -- makes sense, as they have come all the way from Newfoundland to do this tour. And yes, Kitty is leaning toward the Pacific (picture above)!-->

Arriving in Banff was such a relief. I think we were all done by then, so the hotel looked great to all of us.  I must admit I won't be on a bike for awhile. But I will be on it again for sure. The skills I learned and distances I can now do are just amazing.  We all have goofy cyclers tans but its all good.

Thanks for following our journal. Stan and I, and the other riders who contributed to it have enjoyed sharing it with you.


As a group we raised over $120,000!  This is amazing when you see that we are so few in number. We all did this to help our researchers improve outcomes, and to ultimately find a cure for CF. It may have started out some of us didn't have a personal connection to CF.  But after travelling with parents with these affected kids, parents who have lost their kids and other families and friends who have lost friends, we just want to help out.  I feel we have done our part this year. It will be a great day when the CF stands for Cure Found. Sooner would be better.

Tomorrow I meet my email friend Sandra Smith who I dedicated this ride to, she helped me up the hard bits and inspired me throughout this whole event.  Funny how we feel so close without even having met in person.  I can't wait!  


- Kitty

Would you like to sponsor a favorite rider? IT'S NOT TOO LATE! Click on their name above, or anywhere on this journal to open their "bio" on the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation GearUp4CF web site. Then simply click on the button "Sponsor this Rider".

Day 8 - from Cranbrook to Creston 131 km

Submitted by Kitty Chavarie

The ride to Invermere was long and hot...flat flat flat but with good company the kilometers just rolled away.

Today's route, plotted by Stan's bike-mounted GPS. Total distance: 131.1 km.  For details, click here-->

<--Our elevation profile.  At first glance, it looks like a really hard ride!!  But look at the scale. Changes are only a few hundred feet, spread out over many kilometers. Elevation-wise, it was not so bad, after all.

Stan and I solved all the worlds problems today and felt good about our ability to do that! HAHA.

Stan-->

I was hoping for more wildlife but we just saw a few wild drivers instead. It's funny how you can ride the shoulder and leave a large flat highway for all the other vehicles and still make folks angry?  I thought we were supposed to go "green". We can't get much greener than a bike right?

I rode a few kms with a triathlete cyclist today, who tagged along briefly with us near Canal Flats. I admired his chilly icy slurpy on his handlebars. If he wasn't so fast I would've grabbed it and zoomed off!

The scenery here can't be beat, no wonder its called Beautiful BC, man o man.

Canal Flats-->

The Hoodoo's are something to behold, also love the glacial streams and rivers, such a contrast to the silty rivers we have seen the last few days.

<--The Hoodoos, on the way to Invermere

Food on the road is amazing, I can't believe how good it all tastes when you roll in for lunches and snacks, thanks to Simona, Tracy, Wayne and Malcolm for setting out great spreads.



Thanks a zillion and a half to Andrea for keeping our bikes in such good shape. Some of us riders are newbies and need her expertise, a real bonus to have her along.  My seat felt a lot better today after the adjustment it recieved this am. (my bike seat that is!)  I had aching knees yesterday and she resolved that with
her knowledge.

I have loved having Brenda as my roommate, so much more mature and patient than me so a great mentor.  She has done seventeen Ironmans in her athletic career, and has tons of knowledge to share so I have lucked out having her to spend so much time together.

ONE MORE RIDE, I have almost seen the whole province from the seat of a bike, what a visual feast.  Try it you may like it!

Love from Kitty

(P.S. - More photos are coming - if not tonight, certainly over the next few days!

Would you like to sponsor a favorite rider? Click on their name above, or anywhere on this journal to open their "bio" on the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation GearUp4CF web site. Then simply click on the button "Sponsor this Rider".

Day 7 - Creston to Cranbrook

Submitted by Stan Shaw

It's hard to imagine that in only three days we will be arriving in Banff.  The week has gone by so quickly.  Already, we've traveled over 844 kilometers in six days.  I'm feeling great, despite that massive climb yesterday.

Our route today, 110.1 km, as plotted on my bike-mounted Garmin GPS.  Click on the map to enlarge.  For more details, click here-->

<--Our elevation profile, a gradual rise with gentle, rolling hills, then a final descent into Cranbrook.




Our day began at the Chatka Family Restaurant, which specializes in hearty home-style food with a Russian flair.  I left quickly to pack our belongings to be forwarded onto our next destination, Cranbrook, approx. 108 km away.  We headed out, basically together, however, it wasn't long before some riders, including myself today, broke away to ride at a faster pace.

Breakfast at Chatka restaurant-->

I love both styles of riding . Group riding is my preferred method of cycling long distances as it allows for great conversation, and helps to save energy.  But solitary riding is nice too, because you can ride at your own pace, and simply tune in to the beauty around.  I chose the latter today, because it was a relatively easy, short ride that allowed me to settle into my aerobars and enjoy the kilometers float silently by.

I met up with the lead group of riders at a morning rest stop at Yahk Provincial Park.

<--Justin Chan, pointing the way

Within minutes, however, everyone on the cycling team showed up, exuberant over the ease of the ride. All riders are cycling stronger now, thanks to six days of major climbing.

While we were at Yahk, we, of course, "yahked" about the great ride we had enjoyed this morning. Nice rolling hills, perfect cycling weather, and NEW pavement for several kilometers leading to the rest stop. After traveling over 900 km so far, we're gourmet road connoisseurs now and appreciate such fine things in life.

Left to right: Rebecca Malott, Jill Payne and Martina Meckova-->

As for the goofy sounding name "Yahk"? Apparently, in the language of the Ktunaxa First Nation, who live in the region, Yahk means "cariboo" or "arrowhead".  Originally settled in 1928 by families of railway workers, it's now a small retirement community, sprinkled with farms.

<--Train outside Yahk

Along the way, I stopped to take photos and learn a bit about the places I was travelling through.

Martina, Justin and Rebecca (barely visible)-->

The Creston-Cranbrook region has a rich and colorful history.  The ghost town of Moyie, on the banks of Moyie lake, for example, was once a bustling city fuelled by the Eugene silver mine.  Ruins of the mine can be seen along the highway, along with the ruins of an old church and, beside it, a cemetery nestled in the woods.

<--what remains of an old church, near the St. Eugene silver mine alongside the highway. Click on photo to enlarge.

Pioneer cemetery in the woods-->

Moyie's remarkable footnote in BC history originated with the Kooteney gold rush in the 1850 and 1860's.   At the time, thousands of American prospectors rushed to seek fame and fortune.  In fact, all trails led north-south into Washington and Idaho, with the vast bulk of trade took place along these routes.  It's hard to imagine what might have happened if an all-British route had not been created along the Dewdney trail.

<--Wild flowers by the highway


The Dewney trail started Victoria-Vancouver and extended south to Rock Creek, linking small towns and mining communities along the way. We actually rode through Rock Creek three days ago . With concerns over American economic intrusion into the Kootenays, James Dewney was commissioned to extend his famous trail into this region.  The Dewney trail is now gone. But approximately 80% of it is part of the Crowsnest Highway that we are cycling on.

A rather colorful road sign (click on photo to enlarge). After traveling over 844 km so far, some of us were wondering whether this was the road we were actually travelling on!-->

Moyie Lake began to be settled after a Ktunaxa first nations member, Pierre, found a rich ore deposit containing lead and silver in the nearby hills.  Father Coccola, of the St. Eugene Mission, who apparently was also something of a real estate broker, negotiated the sale of the claims.  Proceeds from the sale were used to build a new home for Pierre, and a new mission church.  The discovery and development of the mine led to the expansion of Cominco and the construction of the Crowsnest Pass Railway.

<--Water tower of the Moyie firehall (now restored), built in 1907.

At last, after a gentle descent into Cranbrook, I found myself rolling through town, past a large railway museum beside the tracks on the highway.  Next tine I'n in the area, I simply must stop in to see it.










<--small lake and park on the outskirts of town

Water tower used to fill steam locomotives at the turn of the century-->

<--Old engines parked on sidelines near the Railway museum.




We soon found ourselves at the Sandman Inn. It was a good thing we arrived early, as the time changes between Creston and Cranbrook.  Since this meant I lost an hour due to Mountain Time, I had just enough time to get a hot shower before a shuttle took us to a Kinsman and Kinette's dinner at Mission Hills golf course.


The dinner was wonderful, and the conversation with our hosts, several of whom I had met during last year's tour was very enjoyable. At the end of dinner, we were presented with a donation on behalf of the Cranbrook Kinsmen and Kinettes - a welcome gift.

Afterwards, we tried out the local driving range, with hilarious results.   Justin found he could throw the ball farther than he could hit it with a golf club.

<--Jill trying her hand at the driving range

She kept us in stitches with her valiant attempts to master the fine art of hitting a golf ball-->

....unlike Bob and Simon, who hit those balls with a mechanical precision that was quite awesome.  After thoroughly embarrassing myself in the last two golf tournaments I've ever attempted (outside of pitch and put), I could appreciate it.

Left to right: Andrea, Rebecca, Susan and Tom-->

<--Simon, James and our volunteer driver, Wayne, enjoying the show!










What a great day. It was made even greater with news this afternoon that we have raised $119,000 for Cystic Fibrosis research so far.  The support we have received on this ride has been tremendous.

I didn't mention that, after dinner Tom, who lost his daughter to Cystic Fibrosis, gave an impassioned speech to all of us about the need to raise funds for the children and young adults who are living in hope for a cure.

Can we do better?  We have just two more days before our ride is complete.  If you have not donated yet, here's your chance.  Every dollar means hope for the children and young adults we are riding for.

Tomorrow is a long but easy ride into Invermere. I remember thoroughly enjoying it last year. Look for more photos and stories when we arrive!

- Stan


Would you like to sponsor a favorite rider? Click on their name anywhere on this journal to open their "bio" on the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation GearUp4CF web site. Then simply click on the button "Sponsor this Rider".