Moraine Lake Ride

Today was the Bow Cyclist Club ride from Banff up the Bow Valley Parkway. I did this ride in 2019 as an unofficial ride with some cycling friends from the club. Last year the club made it an official “event ride”, but I couldn’t make it because I had that weird chest pain. This year, I was good to go. The only problem was the air quality: the forest fire smoke had rolled in from BC in the last few days. In fact, this morning, the air quality was a 9 in Calgary, after being better yesterday. But I drove through fog, smog and low cloud this morning and wonder of wonders it was clear and sunny in Banff.

There were three ride distances but that expanded to four: 60 km to Castle Junction and back, 120 km to Lake Louise (town) and back, and 144 km to Moraine Lake and back. An additional route was pushed for: 130 km to Lake Louise ski area for a free beer. Turned out that was a popular option. 😁

I joined in with a group heading to Moraine Lake. We started out quickly and stopped in Johnston Canyon. Tammy had texted me to see how it was going and I surprised her by letting her know how nice it was.

The weather stayed nice and it was a good ride. We stopped for water and washroom break in the town before starting our climb up. Unfortunately, my front shifter chose that moment to break. I couldn’t shift onto the small ring on the front. I was facing a climb up to the lake without being able to use my lower gear ratios. I was not sure I could do that, but I made it.

Here’s some video that Rob took as we rode along the Parkway back to Banff. In order of appearance: Amy, Rick, Richard, Eric, Colette, Lee, me, Brenda and Bob. Brenda is 99 pounds soaking wet and about 4′ 10″. Amazing that we can take part in the same sport, eh?