Thursday, July 14, 2005
Day 17 – Distance: 123.34 km
Banff to Calgary, AB
I had been puzzling about how to organize bikes and other problems once we reached Airdrie and Calgary, and thought I had better contact our connections in those two places to see if they had any ideas. Since June and Dick Buchanan in Airdrie were on the route we had planned, I called there first. However, they had company, which would make our coming there awkward, so I was happy to call Joy next. She and John had made Albert and me feel so at home on our way out west, and she didn’t let me down. As soon as she heard we were in Banff, she said “well you’re so close, why don’t you come tonight!” Since I was standing at a phone booth swatting moth-sized mosquitoes, I immediately said, “That really appeals to me. Let me see if I can persuade the others”. Cassie also jumped at the chance to get organized and have two actual rest days in a home with laundry, internet, stove, fridge….so we had our breakfast, and headed out. We decided to stick to Hwy 1, as the distance would be shorter, and the shoulders were wide and fairly good. The day was quite hot, but the wind was in our back, and we often reached speeds of 42 km + along flat stretches without even feeling that we were exerting ourselves. We high-fived each other when we saw the mountains behind us, and flat prairies in front of us (of course, we also saw the foothills, but we pretended they were going to be easy). We saw four mountain goats (I think – I’m afraid I do get them mixed up with the sheep); they bounded off when they saw us. They’re incredibly nimble on a practically sheer rock face; we didn’t bother trying to get photos. We almost ran out of water, but a Petro-Can station appeared (Monique thought it was a mirage) on the other side of the highway, so off we went to replenish. Meanwhile Adele arrived, so we used the GPS to get directions to John and Joy’s house. Monique opted to drive the rest of the way, and Cassie and I rode the remaining 22 km or so into Calgary. Again, there was a hill that I didn’t think I could do, but I just put my head down, and off I went. From now on, I shall think positively! I don’t really think the hills around Thunder Bay can be any worse than Nose Hill Drive in Calgary (it overlooks the Winter Olympic site).
We arrived at our destination at 5:30 to be greeted with the offer of a gin and tonic or shower. I opted for the latter first, as I wasn’t fit to be sat near, and then we had a wonderful, relaxing evening, including an absolutely delicious meal cooked by Joy. We had suggested pizza, but were totally spoiled instead. We each were given our own bed to sleep in, and enjoyed a night without traffic or train noise. What a treat!
Banff to Calgary, AB
I had been puzzling about how to organize bikes and other problems once we reached Airdrie and Calgary, and thought I had better contact our connections in those two places to see if they had any ideas. Since June and Dick Buchanan in Airdrie were on the route we had planned, I called there first. However, they had company, which would make our coming there awkward, so I was happy to call Joy next. She and John had made Albert and me feel so at home on our way out west, and she didn’t let me down. As soon as she heard we were in Banff, she said “well you’re so close, why don’t you come tonight!” Since I was standing at a phone booth swatting moth-sized mosquitoes, I immediately said, “That really appeals to me. Let me see if I can persuade the others”. Cassie also jumped at the chance to get organized and have two actual rest days in a home with laundry, internet, stove, fridge….so we had our breakfast, and headed out. We decided to stick to Hwy 1, as the distance would be shorter, and the shoulders were wide and fairly good. The day was quite hot, but the wind was in our back, and we often reached speeds of 42 km + along flat stretches without even feeling that we were exerting ourselves. We high-fived each other when we saw the mountains behind us, and flat prairies in front of us (of course, we also saw the foothills, but we pretended they were going to be easy). We saw four mountain goats (I think – I’m afraid I do get them mixed up with the sheep); they bounded off when they saw us. They’re incredibly nimble on a practically sheer rock face; we didn’t bother trying to get photos. We almost ran out of water, but a Petro-Can station appeared (Monique thought it was a mirage) on the other side of the highway, so off we went to replenish. Meanwhile Adele arrived, so we used the GPS to get directions to John and Joy’s house. Monique opted to drive the rest of the way, and Cassie and I rode the remaining 22 km or so into Calgary. Again, there was a hill that I didn’t think I could do, but I just put my head down, and off I went. From now on, I shall think positively! I don’t really think the hills around Thunder Bay can be any worse than Nose Hill Drive in Calgary (it overlooks the Winter Olympic site).
We arrived at our destination at 5:30 to be greeted with the offer of a gin and tonic or shower. I opted for the latter first, as I wasn’t fit to be sat near, and then we had a wonderful, relaxing evening, including an absolutely delicious meal cooked by Joy. We had suggested pizza, but were totally spoiled instead. We each were given our own bed to sleep in, and enjoyed a night without traffic or train noise. What a treat!
posted by BikingBabe at 7:42 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home