Day 2, then heading home.

[TMB]

So, day 2 in the mountains.

Stayed in Radium Hot Springs last night, right at the end of the Banff - Windermere Highway.

There are 3 good highway passes through the southern rockies. The Kicking Horse which runs from Golden through to Lake Louise. The Crowsnest which is much further south, skirts the northern edge of Waterton Lakes National Park and drops down the other side into Pincher Creek ( and Ian Tyson fans here ?? ), and then this one. The Banff - Windermere which runs from Radium Hot Springs to Castle Junction just about 20 km north of Banff.

Kicking Horse is a stunning road, and an awe inspiring cut through the rockies. It is also the scene of some current major roadwork that when it is done will improve the road, and ride - but for now, to be avoided on two human powered wheels.

I have always thought that this road is the prettier of the two honestly, and it is a beautiful road to ride.

When you leave Radium you hit the hill - immediately, and it stays pointed upward for the next 14 km to the summit of Sinclair Pass.

I honestly could not figure this sign out, the whole province seems to be labouring under a blanket of heavy smoke and yet ............ this..... ?

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/TGxyLF709II/AAAAAAAADC4/YwlGHYiZ8A8/s800/IMG_6456.JPG


Next sign up was this one, the import of this became really clear on the way back down later .....

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/TGxyEQHrwEI/AAAAAAAADCw/_h4KroVicaE/s800/IMG_6454.JPG


Sinclair Canyon. The gateway to what lies beyond. This is actually on the highway. The narrows down to two lanes, then opens up again on the other side. it is an 11% grade running through here, and the river passes under the road at this point. The noise as you pass through the canyon is incredible.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/TGxyPUN6muI/AAAAAAAADDA/hy9WWbvNtNQ/s800/IMG_6457.jpg

[TMB]

The road goes a lot like this, to the summit .......

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/TGxySnygEjI/AAAAAAAADDE/d05Pyjuq6Oo/s800/IMG_6459.jpg


http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/TGxyX8nf_gI/AAAAAAAADDI/eKk1JwBdgwo/s800/IMG_6460.JPG


http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/TGxybaw4DtI/AAAAAAAADDM/RoshKXYUlZE/s800/IMG_6464.JPG


Honestly I spent most of my time holding on to the bike to keep from falling off, when you’re going that slow falling over becomes an issue. I left early enough that there was very little traffic. It was funny the guy driving the semi who rolled alongside for a while going up the grade, I think he was going 2 KMH faster than me. He waved goodbye as we hit a less steep part and he could get his wheels under him again.

Olive Lake at the summit. Up high enough to be in the sunlight already. I was in the pre-dawn sort of light coming up.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/TGxyfhcZQcI/AAAAAAAADDQ/rLEThNyt_dw/s800/IMG_6468.JPG


I only got as far as Kootenay Crossing today, I had wanted to go to Vermillion Crossing but that would have added another hour and a half or more and I still had a 5 hour drive ahead.

So I got about 100 km for the day, on a beautiful morning.

Just me and some friends.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/TGxzieiacyI/AAAAAAAADEA/age9y7YHbgE/s800/IMG_2547.JPG

[TMB]

Some of the “along the way” stuff.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/TGynU6jI3eI/AAAAAAAADEU/BKdnmO3SXvA/s800/IMG_2439.JPG


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/TGynPRh2kzI/AAAAAAAADEM/E6C5fiGh_8k/s800/IMG_2428.JPG


Back up the far side of the pass, and heading back down to Radium again.


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/TGxykhYdmOI/AAAAAAAADDU/UnoWyBbxgSQ/s800/IMG_6471.JPG


Amazing to see, there are actually tire tracks on this.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/TGxy0CC7IVI/AAAAAAAADDk/9XE2xBFEurw/s800/IMG_6476.JPG

[TMB]

The little town of Radium, nice as always.


http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/TGxzI0OlCxI/AAAAAAAADDo/64eUH1m15SA/s800/IMG_2530.JPG


Good stuff I say .


http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/TGxzPZo8rRI/AAAAAAAADDs/A2wirks4ZtE/s800/IMG_2535.jpg


http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QhwtCvS9cDE/TGxzT8pOpFI/AAAAAAAADD0/BfrUw3VVzJo/s800/IMG_2538.JPG


Sadly that’s it.

Back home now, back in the office staring at a desk tomorrow but these little “steal some time” events sure perk up the month.


Oh, remember that “avalanche zone” sign way back? I didn’t really pay much attention at the time. But coming down hill at 60 or 70 kmh it starts to become clear. Like little tiny bomb craters all over the road surface as you pass under those peaks.


Ouch.

[akelman]

Your pics are making me incredibly nostalgic. Thanks for sharing them.

[henrypretz]

Great ride, beautiful shots.

Glad you avoided an avalanche.

Thanks for sharing.

What camera are you shooting with?

[TMB]

Thanks fellows.

Akelman, you know the Rx.

Henry, I am just using a Canon SD1200. Small, light and fits in a pocket.

[GuyGadois]

The photos keep getting better and better. any chance you can post a link to a map with the route? I would love to put this on my Pedal-Bucket list.

GG

[auto_rock]

edit: saw that you were an okanagan-er, so you're probably not coming out on my side of the mountains (calgary). Great pics, looks like an awesome time.

[rustychain]

There are two hot spring in Radium, a commercial one is OK but if you ask the locals they will head you down some back roads to the "real' hot springs. A perfect and secluded place to relax after those steep climbs. My visit was early spring and the air alone is worth the trip.
Things can get very remote in that area (bears!), you look to be traveling without the usual panners I saw most cyclist using. Did you have some sort of backup?

[AngryScientist]

great pictures and riding, thanks for sharing these. I'm looking to take another cycling trip this year, and these are really inspiring me.

[soulspinner]

Wow

[TimmyB]

You my friend are living the dream! Thanks for sharing :beer:

[john903]

That is a beautiful ride, and beautiful bike. Where is this in relation to Spokane? What bike is it you are riding how about some close up shots of your bike, oh and would a 50/34 and 12-25 work out there. I love finding new climbing rides hum maybe next year.
Have fun.

[firerescuefin]

That's what I call a business trip :) TMB...beautiful pics. I'm not too old to be adopted ;)

[TMB]

That is a beautiful ride, and beautiful bike. Where is this in relation to Spokane? What bike is it you are riding how about some close up shots of your bike, oh and would a 50/34 and 12-25 work out there. I love finding new climbing rides hum maybe next year.
Have fun.

Well, I was on a 50/36 with a 12-25 and I climb as slow as an arthritic slug. In fact I am sure I saw a slug passing me at one point.

Spokane? depending on traffic, about 3 to 4 hours.

If you look at the map - "A" is Radium.

Up through Bonner's Ferry, and then straight shot up highway 95.

Oh yeah....... the bike is here.

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=77340

[TMB]

That's what I call a business trip :) TMB...beautiful pics. I'm not too old to be adopted ;)


Thanks all.

I reached the point a while ago that I just got fed up with flying, especially on the short hauls.

So if I am going within BC, into Alberta or even Washington State I just drive - and throw a bike on the car.

[Ralph]

Really beautiful trip.