2014 Bicycle Adventures - Back to Jasper

Skywalk

Two days up to the Columbia Icefield, only one back down to Jasper!

While camping overnight at the Icefield, I decided to bike back to Jasper rather then ride down to Lake Louise.  I hadn't reserved a seat on the bus from Lake Louse to Jasper, and didn't want to chance it.  It turned out to be a good decision.

2014 Bicycle Adventures - Onwards to Columbia Icefield

Up to the Columbia Icefield

Next morning, I woke up and packed up after eating my breakfast.  I said goodbye to all those whom I had met at the campsite and headed on my way to the Columbia Icefield.  As the day before, I was only going to be riding 50 km.  It would give me plenty of time, to reach the Icefield and give me extra time afterwards to explore the area.

Again, the weather was very good, not too hot, but not rainy.  I took my time riding towards the pass.  I met a cyclist from Boston along the way, who was headed to Jasper.  He had a home built chain gard on his Breezer bicycle.

Cyclist from Boston

2014 Bicycle Adventures - Part IV - Destination: Honeymoon Lake

Road to Honeymoon Lake Campsite

After spending the night at the hostel in Jasper, it was time to head out down the Icefield.  I said my goodbyes to the Adventure Cycle group and headed towards Jasper to stock up on food.  As I only planned on riding 50 km to Honeymoon Lake, I was in too much of a rush to leave.

2014 Bicycle Adventures - Part III - Time to head out on my own

Time to myself (sort of)

After spending a few days with my friends at Mt. Robson, it was time to head out towards Jasper.  As I already did the hill a few days before and the morning looked gloomy, I decided to have Mary-Jo drop me off at Moose Lake. It was raining along the way, but by the time we reached the lake, it had stopped.

2014 Bicycle Adventures - Part II - Mt. Robson with friends

We biked and we hiked.  Then we hiked and biked more!

In my last post, I was riding towards Mt. Robson after being dropped off just after Mcbride, by my friends. 

2014 Bicycle Adventures - Part 1 - Escaping the heat

Time for some more riding!

This year I decided to stay closer to home.  I originally thought of bringing my bike back down to San Francisco to ride to the Mexico border, but since I decided to go to Peru next year, I wanted to save as much as possible.  I actually have the money for the Peru trip, but I want to keep as much as possible in the bank so that I can buy a plane ticket when the time is right.

Mt Robson and Jasper bike trip adventure

I have been having an awesome bike trip!

I first rode to Purden, staying a day at the lake.  I unexpectantly bumped inti hiking friends there and hanged around with them.  Next morning, another friend picked me up and dropped me off 70 km before Robson Shadows campsite.  I biked the rest of the way.

I spent a couple of days hiking and biking with them.  The I got dropped off 65 km before Jasper.  I rode fully loaded then to the Jasper hostel.  I met an organized Aventure Cycling tour starting out there on one of their first Canadian tours.

I rode the next day 50 km to Honeymoon Lake, then next day Another 50 km to the Columbia Icefields.   I explored around, before heading back to Jasper the next day.  I rode the whole 100 km to Jasper as it was easy going back, mostly downhil!

Good thing I did that as its raining today.

I do not have to leave until Sunday.  Relaxing, charging devices today.  Catching the train home....

Bike Ride past Purden - Final prep for Summer of Adventures!

Well, it's almost that time of year for me again.  Bike Touring time, that is.  Every year I alternate, bike one year, then hike.  Actually, that's not true!  I always help out on Tour De Jasper, so I ride and hike.

Prepping for All Sorts of Summer Adventures!

I am all stoked about this Summer.  Got some riding to do!  I've been riding lots around the area to get trained for them.   During this past week, I've biked to West Lake, Shane Lake, and up to Pineview. I also have a Canoe/hike trip this Summer also, and recently took some fun canoe lessons to get ready for that.  While on the course, I met another person who likes to tour too, he's done lots in the USA.  I feel good that I am networking more.

Important Tour De Jasper News

Tour De Jasper

I thought I'd let those who read my blog that are interested in bike touring, and perhaps riding on Tour De Jasper this year, that the tour has been cancelled for this year.  Nicole, the organizer, got an awesome summer job in France!  I think that it's great that she has a chance to work over there, and I know that she will be running Tour De Jasper again in the future

You can view her message about the cancellation on the Tour De Jasper website at http://openroadbiketours.ca/pages/tdj/tdj_oe/tdj_oe_home.html

Of course, this also means I won't be sweeping for it this year, but I might just ride to Jasper anyways... Wouldn't it be cool to ride from Prince Rupert to Jasper?  That's all across the centre of British Columbia...

Upcoming Adventures!

Sure, I am not going to be on this season's Amazing Race, but I'd say that I still got some exciting adventures planned for 2014 and 2015!  A bicycle this year, and my feet, next year!

This Summer, I want to use my bicycle again and ride locally so I can save more money for the adventure below this.  I am planning to either ride to Prince Rupert or ride from Prince Rupert to home.  I would take the Via Rail in the other direction.  If any of my rider friends are interested in joining me, send me an email!
I am also hoping to help out with Tour De Jasper again.

I want to save big time for next year's adventure.  I am planning to hike the Inca Trail with Gap Adventures. I want to do more then just that if I am going that far, hence saving more money. (Although Egypt is another one of those places I want to go, but not sure about it at this time)

I have a writer friend who is familiar with the trails in Bolivia, so that is one option.  There's so many places to visit like Ecuador, Columbia... got to keep saving!  And having no car and using a bicycle and feet for transportation is a great way to save! 

Biking to Ness Lake Blog Post

Things are busy around here these days.  Here is one of two posts published today at the Destination BC blog.

This post is all about my ride with my friends out to Ness Lake in the Summer.  Check it out now at http://blog.hellobc.com/biking-prince-george-to-ness-lake/

Tour De Jasper 2013 - Epilogue

Me and one of the riders from Alabama

The riding part of Tour De Jasper is now over for another year.  But Tour De Jasper is not quite over yet.

On Day 5, after meeting for brunch, we hang around for a few hours in Jasper before catching the train home.  As it's a very hot day, I don't do a lot, but try to keep cool!  Our bikes would be going home on two trailers.

Do you want to read more about the train trip home to Prince George?  I have posted about it at the Destination BC Blog which you can find at  http://blog.hellobc.com/jasper-to-prince-george-by-train/.   Check it out now!

To end this year's edition of Tour De Jasper posts, here is a photo of someone else who was trying to keep cool on the Tour.

Tour De Jasper 2013 - Day 4

We awoke to another clear day.   It was great to get such good weather, it had been a few years since it has been so nice on the ride.  Today we were headed to Jasper, our destination of the tour.  It always seems to go too fast!

Tour De Jasper 2013 - Day 3

After enjoying a fun day celebrating my Birthday on my bike, it was back to business.  Actually, it was more like another fun day on the bike.  I always have fun riding on my bike, birthday, or not!

It was another hot day of riding.  I watched as all the riders left.  After I was sure they all had left, I followed the last rider up the steep climb to the highway.  Like in previous years, we all walked up!

Tour De Jasper 2013 - Day 2

On Day 2 of Tour De Jasper, I woke up a little stiff.  But after some coffee, that was soon lost!.  I was all eager to go as it was my Birthday and I felt that riding my bicycle was the best way to celebrate it!  I left Purden Campsite when I 'thought' that everyone was on their way.

Tour De Jasper 2013 - Day 1

First day of Tour De Jasper

Another year of Tour De Jasper has come and gone.  I was so happy to get the chance to ride with the tour again.  This was my fourth year in a row riding on the tour.  I volunteered again to be the sweep, which basically meant making sure that no one was left behind. This is a relaxing tour, it's a great way to get into bicycle touring.  They carry all your gear, feed you very well, and there is a mechanic on duty.  It is not a race, so you really can enjoy the scenery all around you!

Tis the Season for training

Training for big backpacking trip.

 Summer is approaching fast and so is my Summer Adventure training.  I am going to be riding to Jasper for my fourth time and then I will be hiking for 7 days on the West Coast Trail.  This is the LONGEST backpacking trip that I will have ever done.  And my pack will weigh a ton!

Pimping my bicycle!

Big Red with big red handlebars!

 I've been using Big Red so much that I'm wearing her out.  This riding season I needed to get a new back wheel as the hub wore out.  While I was getting that done, I figured I should get a wider handlebar as the stock one that came with the bicycle doesn't have a lot of room for my items on it.  My bar-ends have only really been half on the bar. I was reminded by the Newport Bicycle shop about it....that it wasn't safe.  I have known that I probably should replace them since I bought the bar-ends.

Big Red with original stock handlebars

So I splurged!  I got a mid-range wheel to replace the stock one. And I replaced my boring black handlebars with some bright red ones that are much wider!  It really feels like a different bicycle then when I got it.  It's totally a touring bicycle now.  The bicycle shop said that it should feel more comfortable when touring and easier to breath as my arms are spread out a little more while holding onto the handlebars.

Not double-walled, but I think pretty strong wheel/rim

I spent a bit today, but she's totally one of a kind...and most of the part are not original, except for frame, front wheel, and the back derailleur.  Can't wait to tour with her this Summer!

Pacific Coast Slideshow.

It is less then 1 month until my slideshow about my bike tour:

Join Carolyn Ibis and Deanna Walker as they show photos and talk about their amazing 16 day bicycle ride down the Pacific Coast! From the tip of Oregon down to San Francisco and in between, they never would know how each day of riding would unfold. It definitely was an adventure that they will never forget.

They both hope to inspire others to try out bicycle touring.

Me and my co-rider, Deanna Walker, will be doing the presentation at Artspace, which is located above Books and Company.

Date:  April 19
Time:  7:00 pm
Location:  Artspace (above Books and Company on 3rd Ave)

Hope to see you there!