Canadian Rockies and Undiscovered Foothills

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW:  

The Canadian Rockies and Undiscovered Foothills tour is a two-week adventure incorporating the best cycling roads of the southwest Alberta foothills and mountains with a quiet approach into the Canadian Rockies through Kananaskis Country.  The entire route is abundant with gorgeous views and all roads are very well maintained, many with wide shoulders.    

Almost the entire route is within the provincial or national park systems.  The trip begins in Calgary exploring its extensive bike path system and heads south into the quiet rolling hills of the Alberta foothills.  The group then travels west climbing into the parks of Kananaskis Country before heading northwest through Banff and Jasper National Parks.  The skiing events for the 1988 Winter Olympics were held in Kananaskis and the area sports quiet, beautiful cycling and hiking routes.  The winding and spectacular Bow Valley Parkway joins Banff and Lake Louise with lots of climbs and places to visit including Johnson Canyon and Castle Lookout Trail.  The route from Lake Louise to Jasper along the Icefield Parkway is a world-class journey offering access to a vast wilderness of pristine mountain lakes, ancient glaciers and broad sweeping valleys.   The last biking day will include a cycling loop from Jasper with optional hiking of Maligne Canyon and a visit to Jasper Park Lodge. The participants, bicycles and luggage will be shuttled from Jasper back to Calgary on the last day of the trip via the Icefield Parkway and TransCanada highway.

Each park offers daily opportunities to see diverse wildlife, stop at majestic viewpoints, and view interpretive displays.  Highlights of these unique natural features are too abundant to list but a few include the Columbia Icefield, Peyto Lake at Bow Summit, Lake Louise, Interlakes, Big Hill and Big Bend, Forget-Me-Not Pond, Sulphur Mountain, Athabasca Falls, and the Valley of the Ten Peaks at Moraine Lake.  You will likely see at least one species of wildlife daily within the parks that could include black bears, grizzlies, big horn sheep, elk, deer, moose, and hundreds of species of birds.   In addition to numerous optional bike routes, hiking opportunities along the route are spectacular and plentiful.  For those more adventurous, the area sports world-class whitewater rafting, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking mountain summits at Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper accessible by gondola/skytram.  The link below will take you to a YouTube video that showcases the tranquility and natural wonders in Banff National Park highlighted on the cycling route of the Canadian Rockies and Undiscovered Foothills bike tour.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlQmXz7wzLE

The three leaders of this trip are avid cyclists who live in Calgary with extensive collective knowledge of the area.  The foothills region south of Calgary leading into Highwood Pass in Kananaskis Country is a well-kept secret not frequented by any commercial bike groups... just the locals ride here.  

RIDE RATING:  3B rating is based an average of 46 miles and 2,670 feet of ascent over 8 mandatory days.  There are four hotels where the group stays for 2 nights.  Organized hiking and cycling options are offered on the layover days.  Alternatively, you can kick back and enjoy the tranquility of the region, hotel amenities or engage in another outdoor adventure/sport.

This ride is perfect for groups and couples who want to ride together but vary in their desired speed, mileage and amount of daily ascent.  Participants will be encouraged to stop to take photos of the beautiful scenery and visit other offerings along the cycling route.  For those wanting more challenging riding, there are numerous opportunities on side roads ascending to viewpoints and ski areas followed by fast downhills before re-joining the group on the main route.  

All mandatory days are rated 3B or lower except three days that traverse the mountain passes.  Additional support is available over the three major mountain passes due to the high altitude and elevation gain, distance, and lack of amenities.  Highwood Pass in Kananaskis Country is the summit of the highest paved road in Canada peaking at 7,238 feet while Bow Summit at 6,800 feet and Sunwapta Pass at 6,677 feet above sea level are located along the Icefield Parkway.  The distance and ascent for the daily ride across Highwood Pass is 53 miles (3,611 feet), Bow Summit is 57 miles (3,314 feet) and Sunwapta Pass is 61 miles (3,129 feet).  Once inside the parks, climbs are long and steady but unless you venture on the side roads, generally do not exceed 8% grade.  There is one notable exception for a 2-mile stretch along the Icefield Parkway at Big Hill and Big Bend (Sunwapta Pass).  

WEATHER & ELEVATION:  

It can get very cool in the high altitudes of the Canadian Rockies at night and riders should be prepared for all weather conditions.  Even in the middle of summer, mornings are chilly until the sun is sufficiently high to clear the mountains.  As a result, morning departures will generally not be before 9:30 am so cyclists can enjoy the warmest hours of the day for their ride.  Average monthly high/low temperatures in the Canadian Rockies for the month of July are 72/45 Fahrenheit with average rainfall for the entire month of 2.7 inches.

LODGING & MEALS:  

Accommodations vary from several historic mountain lodges and cabins to the opulence of the Rimrock Resort hotel.  There is an indoor pool and/or hot tub at our respective hotel for 7 of the 13 nights. Most meals will be provided as part of the cost of this tour, in part, to be able to explore remote areas where there are no or limited restaurant options.  Meals provided include 13 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 6 dinners.

LOGISTICS:  The trip starts and ends at Hotel Clique near the Calgary International airport (YYC).  There are numerous daily direct flights offered by several airlines between YYC and many major U.S. and international cities.  Hotel Clique offers a free shuttle service to/from YYC.  

The group will meet in the lobby of Hotel Clique at 5:00 pm on Monday, July 11, 2022 to attend the orientation meeting with dinner to follow. 

The group shuttle from Jasper to Hotel Clique in Calgary has an expected arrival of late afternoon on Sunday, July 24, 2022.  The tour ends once bikes and luggage are unloaded at Hotel Clique.

A list of bike rental options can be obtained prior to the trip, upon request, from the Ride Director.  

Extending Your Stay in Calgary- The tour begins during the 2022 Calgary Exhibition and Stampede to accommodate participants who want to arrive early to explore Calgary and attend the "Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth".   Hotel Clique near the Calgary airport has committed to extending a group rate after the BAC trip to participants.  

COST & ADMINISTRATION:  

Estimated cost of the trip is $3,700 using a USD/CAD exchange rate of .75.  The trip cost may be adjusted with significant changes in the USD/CAD exchange rate.  Unused funds will be refunded post tour.  The trip includes 24 meals noted above, 13 night's accommodation, luggage transfer, support as required, cue sheets with maps and elevation profiles, sharing local knowledge of the area, shuttle from Jasper to Calgary on July 24th, guided hiking, naturalist talk, national park passes, and daily happy hours.  Items not covered as part of the trip include pre and post tour transportation to/from Calgary, bicycle rental, and extra non-cycling activities such as gondola rides, glacier walk, entrance fees to the hot springs, and other non-cycling activities.

SINGLES & SOLOS POLICY:  

It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until March 1, 2022 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC fee and payment processing fee) or pay the $1,400 solo supplement and stay on the ride.  If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary.  The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.  Solo supplement payments need to be sent to the BAC office. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check.  They should be mailed to:  Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

There is capacity at the hotels for several solo riders who wish to have their own room.  The solo supplement is $1,400 and must be received by the BAC office by March 31, 2022.

CANCELLATION POLICY:  

The $50 BAC ride registration fee and the payment processing fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled.  Refunds will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour's remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report is completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped, the cancelling roommate may be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase personal trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY:  

Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support.  Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles.   All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader.  While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour.  Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

SIGN-UP:  

To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description. When you are accepted, the Ride Leader will move you from the Waitlist to the Pending List.  At this time, you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee and the initial tour deposit $1,200 by credit card.  As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List.  To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.