Credit Card Touring of Icefields Parkway?
08-08-09, 04:36 PM
#51
Every day a winding road
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We can do a Bike Forum thing if you want. I am thinking first somewhere around last week of June, first week of August.
This time we can all stay at TOLOCOMan's place!
A problem I see with a group thing is building an itinerary that makes everyone happy. I would like to put together a somewhat conservative itinerary. I would think no more than 50 miles a day and maybe less if we are dealing with a climb. If the better riders feel they did not get enough for the day then there is no reason why they could not go out for another ride after their arrival to the nights destination.
The other issue is if everyone can get the same amount of time away.
I am crunching the numbers right now to see what makes sense.
If we could all agree to an itinerary then I see no reason why we can't do this. If I can work it so we go up and back in two weeks then we have some flexibility with length of time. Those that can only stay a week would simply join us for half of the tour.
I'll post back with a proposed itinerary and ride profiles.
08-08-09, 05:04 PM
#52
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Yeah, all 969 square feet of it. We barely have enough space for our 6 bikes!
I'd be more than happy to answer any questions and try to get in some rides with anybody coming up this way though.
Generally a much better chance of good weather in the first week of August than late June.
Your 50 miles is quite reasonable. As with all tours though, you have to consider the distances between accommodations. As far as getting in extra distance, remember that roads are pretty limited here, so to tack on much extra distance, you would probably be repeating stretches of road.
I'd be more than happy to answer any questions and try to get in some rides with anybody coming up this way though.
Generally a much better chance of good weather in the first week of August than late June.
Your 50 miles is quite reasonable. As with all tours though, you have to consider the distances between accommodations. As far as getting in extra distance, remember that roads are pretty limited here, so to tack on much extra distance, you would probably be repeating stretches of road.
Last edited by TOLOCOMan; 08-08-09 at 05:09 PM.
08-08-09, 05:11 PM
#53
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Just keep in mind that if you're thinking of riding up the Icefield Parkway with a group of people ... and if you're planning to make it a credit card tour ... you will definitely want to book ahead. Those hostels aren't big, and the summer is a busy time. If it was just you trying to book a bed a 2 or 3 months in advance, that would be one thing, but if you're trying to get 10 people into these places, you might be out of luck if you wait to book.
Here's the information for the Beauty Creek hostel, for example:
https://www.hihostels.ca/westerncanad...ilities.hostel
And for Mosquito Creek:
https://www.hihostels.ca/westerncanad...ilities.hostel
If you want to travel with a group, I'd recommend going the camping route ... you'll expand your options that way and increase the chances of finding a place to sleep at night.
Here's the information for the Beauty Creek hostel, for example:
https://www.hihostels.ca/westerncanad...ilities.hostel
And for Mosquito Creek:
https://www.hihostels.ca/westerncanad...ilities.hostel
If you want to travel with a group, I'd recommend going the camping route ... you'll expand your options that way and increase the chances of finding a place to sleep at night.
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08-08-09, 05:45 PM
#54
Every day a winding road
Thread Starter
Yeah, all 969 square feet of it. We barely have enough space for our 6 bikes!
I'd be more than happy to answer any questions and try to get in some rides with anybody coming up this way though.
Generally a much better chance of good weather in the first week of August than late June.
Your 50 miles is quite reasonable. As with all tours though, you have to consider the distances between accommodations. As far as getting in extra distance, remember that roads are pretty limited here, so to tack on much extra distance, you would probably be repeating stretches of road.
I'd be more than happy to answer any questions and try to get in some rides with anybody coming up this way though.
Generally a much better chance of good weather in the first week of August than late June.
Your 50 miles is quite reasonable. As with all tours though, you have to consider the distances between accommodations. As far as getting in extra distance, remember that roads are pretty limited here, so to tack on much extra distance, you would probably be repeating stretches of road.
Don't worry TOLOCOMan. Just kidding!
On the GAP / C&O trail tour start, most everyone stayed at my place. I have a little more space than you but not that much. Some people were local which helped. I was able to fit all but two. We were lucky to have a BF member donate a free hotel so everyone came out with a free place to stay for the first night!
Just keep in mind that if you're thinking of riding up the Icefield Parkway with a group of people ... and if you're planning to make it a credit card tour ... you will definitely want to book ahead. Those hostels aren't big, and the summer is a busy time. If it was just you trying to book a bed a 2 or 3 months in advance, that would be one thing, but if you're trying to get 10 people into these places, you might be out of luck if you wait to book.
If you want to travel with a group, I'd recommend going the camping route ... you'll expand your options that way and increase the chances of finding a place to sleep at night.
If you want to travel with a group, I'd recommend going the camping route ... you'll expand your options that way and increase the chances of finding a place to sleep at night.
08-08-09, 05:51 PM
#55
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No problem, I knew you weren't serious. I might be able to help with a hotel (not free, but perhaps cheaper) in Banff though for those nights.
That is a VERY good point that Machka pointed out. Those hostels are quite small. If you get a group of any size, you would potentially fill the entire place. Even some campgrounds might have issues depending on just how large the group gets.
That is a VERY good point that Machka pointed out. Those hostels are quite small. If you get a group of any size, you would potentially fill the entire place. Even some campgrounds might have issues depending on just how large the group gets.
08-11-09, 12:23 AM
#56
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I'm late to this, but we did this in 2007.
* Hwy 1A was not bad at all when we rode. It was later in the day. Few RV's. The only real "scary" vehicles were some large trucks near Canmore. Beat the heck out of riding the shoulder of 1.
*Definitely book in advance if you're not bringing a tent. If you do bring a tent, book in advance anyway. We reserved hostel locations, but didn't reserve anything south of Banff. Big mistake. Everything was full in the campgrounds and the first couple places wouldn't even take pity on cyclists. Fortunately the 3rd campsite we passed let us setup in a parking spot after we begged since it was dusk. We even tried the pricey resort at Kananaskis Village... totally booked. Of course, we found that out after the big climb up to the ski resort. Have I mentioned you should book in advance?
*Doing it via a credit card is going to be very expensive. If paying $25 for a cafeteria lunch doesn't make you bat an eye, then maybe you're cut out for credit card touring there.
*Anyone worried about elevation shouldn't in my opinion, so long as you're in shape. I live at 600' and the air didn't get to me while riding at a touring pace. Those passes are long chugs, but honest to heavens, the scenery makes it go by so easily. My wife didn't train much and thought the first climb out of Jasper was going to kill her, but once she got over it, she was good for the others despite a serious lack of riding before the trip.
*Jamawani gave me great advice... don't skip Kananaskis/Peter Lougheed. Once you head south on Hwy 40, traffic dries up in a hurry. The scenery is a little different, but beautiful. Also saw more wildlife there.
*This forum and crazyguyonabike were wonderful resources for planning this trip!
* Hwy 1A was not bad at all when we rode. It was later in the day. Few RV's. The only real "scary" vehicles were some large trucks near Canmore. Beat the heck out of riding the shoulder of 1.
*Definitely book in advance if you're not bringing a tent. If you do bring a tent, book in advance anyway. We reserved hostel locations, but didn't reserve anything south of Banff. Big mistake. Everything was full in the campgrounds and the first couple places wouldn't even take pity on cyclists. Fortunately the 3rd campsite we passed let us setup in a parking spot after we begged since it was dusk. We even tried the pricey resort at Kananaskis Village... totally booked. Of course, we found that out after the big climb up to the ski resort. Have I mentioned you should book in advance?
*Doing it via a credit card is going to be very expensive. If paying $25 for a cafeteria lunch doesn't make you bat an eye, then maybe you're cut out for credit card touring there.
*Anyone worried about elevation shouldn't in my opinion, so long as you're in shape. I live at 600' and the air didn't get to me while riding at a touring pace. Those passes are long chugs, but honest to heavens, the scenery makes it go by so easily. My wife didn't train much and thought the first climb out of Jasper was going to kill her, but once she got over it, she was good for the others despite a serious lack of riding before the trip.
*Jamawani gave me great advice... don't skip Kananaskis/Peter Lougheed. Once you head south on Hwy 40, traffic dries up in a hurry. The scenery is a little different, but beautiful. Also saw more wildlife there.
*This forum and crazyguyonabike were wonderful resources for planning this trip!
