Sign-up available @ 8 am on Tues June 13
Banff to Johnston’s Canyon along the old 1A Highway that is closed to vehicle traffic.~48km
Join us at a leisurely 17-18 KPH pace along this fantastic piece of the 1A highway with no motorized vehicles from Banff to Johnston’s Canyon. Just hikers and cyclists once we leave from the Historic Banff Train Station.
We will ride west to join the pathway on west side of the Mt Norquay Road and will proceed on to the Vermillion Lakes Road. We will follow the lakes to the far end and join the Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail which will take us to the 1A Highway (which is closed to vehicle traffic). Seventeen (17) kilometres later we will have lunch at Johnston’s Canyon. After lunch we will return the same way that we came but the highway does split in a few places where the elevation is lower.
The entire trip will be approximately 48 km and will have an elevation gain of 250 metres, but the cumulative elevation will add up to 1,000 metres with two significant hills on the way out, with lesser up and downs. We will stop a few times to take in the spectacular views and catch our breath and we will cruise at a leisurely 17-18 KPH on the flats. Due to distance and hills this is a L2+ ride. L2 and L3 cyclists are welcome to join us along with e-bikes. If you ever thought of renting an e-bike this would be the adventure to give it a try. There is an e-bike rental company located at the Banff Train Station.
Please ensure that you arrive early (9:40AM) to enable a timely start and to allow for checklists, bathroom visits and introductions. This tour leaves at 9:59 AM sharp and should be back at the Train Station between 2:30-3:00PM. To plan you morning departure time from Calgary, the drive to the Train Station is an hour and thirty minutes from Winsport (COP) on the Trans Canada Highway. If you are buying a National Park Pass at the park gate, add 30 minutes to your travel time. If you are traveling highway 8 and 22 to get to the Trans Canada, add 30 minutes to your travel time due to construction. Should the ride have to be canceled you will be emailed by 7:00 AM the morning of the ride so please check before you leave town.
As we will be in bear country, if you have bear pepper spray I recommend that you bring it (and have it accessible during the ride). If we have 3 or 4 riders who have it we should be good, so don’t go out specifically to purchase some unless you would need it for other mountain or city dog deterrent activities.
Please make sure your bike and brakes are in good running condition. In addition bring your National Park Pass, helmet, medical contact info, sunscreen, water, lunch, tools, inner tube and money for beer should you be late arriving on time!
Public Washroom facilities are located at the train station and at Johnston’s Canyon.
Meeting Location: We will meet in front of the Historic Banff Train Station at 327 Railway Ave. at 9:40 AM. There is free all day parking west of the station and also on the east side.
Meeting Location: in front of the Historic Banff Train Station at 327 Railway Ave. at 9:40 AM.
Leader: Stu Pritchard 403-585-5882
Sweep: TBD