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!
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".
(Click on their name for their personal story)
