Howdy -
I think you'll be getting a LOT of feedback on this one. It's a great ride and many people have done it. Are you using a touring or mountain bike? There are a few places of dirt/gravel roads that give you additional route options. There are three sections - 1. The Jasper/Banff 2. In Between and 3. Glacier/Missoula
May I suggest doing it south to north since you are planning an early start - the two extra weeks may help with warmer weather in Canada. Plus you have the sun behind you.
1. Jasper to Banff - I've done it a few times - - once in the last week in July the temperature in Banff and Jasper never topped 50F (10C) - it was a real bummer for me, but at least I had warm gear - folks spending $1000 with Backroads were in shorts and cycling jerseys and freezing. Even then it was fabulous. The road has a wide shoulder - albeit with thin bumps every 25 ft which I call butt whackers. You are forced to use the Trans-Canada in two places - just outside Lake Louise and again just outside Banff. There are great hostels every 30 miles or so - reservations STRONGLY suggested. The Canadian park campgrounds DON'T have hiker/biker sites which should not be a concern early in the season.
2. In Between - Adventure Cycling sends you over in to BC from Castle Junction to Radium to Fernie and back to Crowsnest Pass. From Banff townsite you can bike a bike trail to Spray Lakes Road which is dirt to Kananaskis Lake. The trail is downhill northbound and much easier, especially if you are loaded down. Or you can take the TransCanada to Canmore and the back road to Route 40 which is the paved access to Kananaskis Lake. Route 40 continues over Highwood Pass - as beautiful as the Icefields Parkway with a fraction fo the traffic. You can either take this all the way to Route 22 or follow the Forestry Trunk Road along the Livingstone and Oldman Rivers to it's connection with Route 22 north of Lundbreck. Nice waterfalls and provincial campground there. Yet another option from Kananaskis Lake - if you are touring on a mountain bike is to cross Elk Pass on the Telegraph Road to Elk Lakes in BC - one time I was the ONLY person in the park as far as I could tell - spectacular mountains, lakes, and glaciers. Then continue down the Elk River Valley to Elkford and pavement then to Sparwood and east over the Crowsnest Pass. From Lundbreck it is a quick shot to Pincher Creek - big time tailwinds if you are south/east bound - and down to Waterton Lakes National Park. The townsite campground is a zoo - I'd camp either at Crandell Mountain or continue on up to Crandell lake backcountry site.
3. From Glacier to Missoula - Oh?? And did I say Going-to-the-Sun Road?? It's also a must on this tour. After Waterton, you cross the border on Chief Mountain Highway - some pretty tough climbs - but nice cycling none-the-less. I would definitely plan to do Many Glacier - which I believe is the most beautiful road-Accessable part of the park. Then head down to St. Mary get on Goint-to-the-Sun. Eastbound or Westbound on this road? Westbound - 1. Less of a climb westbound 2. The sun is at your back in the morning illumination the mountains with spectacular light. 3. No bike restrictions on the uphill portion. Eastbound - A. By afternoon there can be a stiff west wind. Then the question is which side of the Rockies should you ride on? Highway 83 on the west side is a much more direct shot to Missoula but has more traffic and is more closed in by forest. Highway 89 on the east side has incredible views of the Front Range, less traffic - but lots of roller-coaster hills plus winds to contend with. Even so - the east side - usually wins out with me. And it is longer. \From Choteau Hwy 89 conects to Hwy 287 thru Augusta. Use Highway 200 to get back to Missoula for either option - sometimes has a little more traffic than I like.
Anyhoo - ask me questions if you like.
Have a nice trip - J
johnegan@vcn.com
Montana climate averages -
http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/summary/climsmmt.html
Alberta climate averages -
http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec....nselect_e.html