Adventures In The Canadian Rockies-The Bike Tour

This part of our summer trip has been on our bucket list for years. Figuring out the best way to see this part of Canada is daunting, so many choices. We opted to do the Icefields Parkway Bicycle Tour with Rocky Mountain Cycle Tours. This touring company is locally owned in Canmore and only runs the Icefield Parkway tours three times each year. The season is a small window due to the weather.

We choose to take the tandem on this tour. Prior to leaving we had our normal maintenance done and had new brake pads installed. Important decision for the upcoming days.

Our group was small a total of six riders and two guides. We were an international crew, four from the US and two from China. We were compatible and had similar cycling skills.

**L to R – Mardi, Bob, Mikala (one of tour leaders), Michelle, Amir and us.**

The trip started with a van ride from Canmore to Jasper. This six hour journey was a preview of the scenery we would be seeing on our tour. The mountains, glaciers, and lakes are mouth dropping gorgeous.

Jasper was devastated by forest fires in 2024. This forest fire was fast moving and destroyed areas in the town of Jasper. As we approached the town temporary housing was still in place, reconstruction was in progress and a charred forest was still prevalent.

We did a short orientation ride near town and quickly learned about wildlife safety. We had to turn around as there was a momma grizzly bear and cubs on the roadside. When locals tell you of the bear sightings you heed to their experience. Our guides advised 900 feet clearance when bears are sighted. Locals call it a “bear jam” when tourists stop, get out of their cars and take pictures – causing a traffic jam! Locals shake their heads at this foolishness.

Our second day took us to the Athabasca Valley. The Scenery was of the forest fires remains and how the land is coming back to life. Wild flowers were in abundance. Views of the day Magione Lookout, Athabasca Falls, and Route A93.

The next two days were riding along the Icefields Parkway, a 144 mile scenic road that connects Lake Louise in Banff NP to Jasper NP. The first day we rode past the iconic Columbia Icefield, Sunwapta Pass, the North Saskatchewan River. The second day was a climb out of the Mistaya River Valley to reach Bow Summit and finish in Lake Louise.

These two days, 113 miles and 7000 feet of climbing, were the most challenging of the tour. Ascending the climbs was no issue. The descents “got our attention “ as Earle said. We exceeded speeds of 40mph (and could have gone faster), had car traffic to contend with, and road grades that were over 15 percent both up and down. Our brakes held up thank goodness and Earle did a fantastic job of keeping us safe!

We did have smoke haze on the second day from a fire 800 kilometers north, which made breathing on the steep ascents a tad more difficult and the views were impacted.

Day 5 found us finishing the Icefields Parkway, taking in the famous Moraine Lake and valley of the Ten Peaks. The views just kept on coming. Never ending. Wow and amazing!!

The last day was spent riding from Lake Louise to Banff on the Bow Valley Parkway. This road is a cyclists dream, no commercial traffic as it’s a national park roadway with berms wide enough for bicyclists and cars to share the road.

Our last afternoon was spent exploring Banff. We decided to go to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site. This park has natural thermal mineral springs around which Canada’s first national park, Banff National Park, was established.

Lake Minnewanka and Lake Louise

Our guides Mikala and Bailey were amazing. They prepared the best lunches and snack stops each day. We never knew what yummy treats were going to come out of the trailer. They kept us informed about the cycling conditions daily. No surprises. They made the six of us feel like a big happy family.

Our cycling companions Bob & Mardi from Seattle, and Michelle & Amir from China via Israel were wonderful people to spend the week with. We all had amazing stories and experiences to share. Time flew by fast.