Day 5 Johnson can to red streak

Wow it's Monday cool overnight, great for sleeping. Now hat Carrie got an extra blanket I've been warm enough to sleep well. Slept so well that we got up and all the tents were down except a few. 

After a quick breakfast we got on the road and started motoring. Carrie passed us on her way to her rest stop. We were one of the last ones out. I think people were in a but of a panic to get out fearing a tough hot day. 

After crossing over a bridge we head towards radium springs. About 120 km today. Soon we were into a long steady climb. 

My hernia was bugging me so I took it easy on the climb. This left me a little behind the group. However they waited for me at the top of the climb. 

The first sag stop was a welcome sight that even had flush toilets. The scenery was still amazing. So much so that I'm almost getting used to it and taking it for granted. The pass we're heading through had a fire a few years ago. We also went past the continental divide. And we rode into BC. 

We saw some people stopped along the side of the road. They were looking at 4 wolves eating something. I took a picture thru their binoculars so I hope it works   

There's two eating and  one behind the tree in the rocks sleeping. 

There's also one across the creek in the bushes I think he's hanging out to eat when the others are done. 

The views we amazing. You can see the regrowth happening after the fire. 

After carries rest stop we had a long run before our next big climb. 

Jane-barb , bob and I took turns pulling. I'm finally feeling like I can contribute a bit more. 

Last sag stop before the town. On the way down a moose ran in front of Jane so I stopped and flagged other riders to come and check him out. 

Nice ah Kendall ? 

We drove through the rocks to get to the town. It was cool. The climb into the camp ground was steep but the wildlife made it worth it. 

I rode right past a deer. A big horn sheep. Not too shabby. 

We arrived to camp around 3 so we shuttled to the hot springs for a couple hours before supper. It was awesome. Another great day. Enjoying the ride and the people. Also getting good opportunities to spend the word about poverty. Off to bed. See you all tommorow.  Len. 

Day4 Sunday in Johnson

So today started in true seatosea fashion  people up early. Breakfast was from 830 to 930 but ended up being over not long after the start time. However in true seatosea spirit people were flexible and things worked out fine. 

We ended up having a service after breakfast that was inspiring and uplifting. I don't think there's a better way to relate to God and his creation than being in such a glorious place. John talked to us about going up to meet God. And then we went to the rivers edge to talk about the river flowing into the Dead Sea. Because of Jesus the river no longer flows into the Dead Sea   It wasn't long but it was long enough to be impact-full 

After the service we headed to banff. Walked through town and had lunch.

  After town we went over a river to get back to the car. The whole town is surrounded by mountians. It's pretty great 

Oh ya there's also cell service can u see Carrie texting away. 

Look who showed up. It's Annemarie. She stopped by and it was nice to see her. She was on her way to a hike. Nice to see a familiar face. 

Terry made us supper. Tube steaks. So Carrie and I ate at the waters edge. 

After supper we had our peloton meeting where a lady from one of the groups we're riding for thanked us for what we're doing. It's interesting how bent out of shape people get over a lion when so many other people issues are happening

After a campfire and some fellowship it's time for bed. 

. It was cold last night again. Good thing I had an extra blanket. You had an extra blanket the whole time? Well it is the Rockies ;)

See you all tommorow 

Len 

Day 3 crossroad to Johnson canyon

So after riding two days and feeling under the weather I woke up feeling a little better and optimistic about today's ride.

 After a 630 breakfast we headed out on the road. Soon after we started we came across a section that had been burnt by a forest fire. Then we started to climb. Today's climbs came early and we paced ourselves a little better. 

We ran into Rudy and Shirley . 

The nice part about the climbing today was the slopes of the hills were less then the last couple of days.  At least the lowest gears we have were low enough to allow us to climb. 

We rode in the shade for a few hours because the mountains were so close to us that they cast a huge shadow. Jane was bundled up but I was dressed normal. I kept thinking thoughts of being in Florida , it kept me warmer. 

You could tell we were getting higher in altitude because the snow was getting lower on the mountains.  Carrie , Todd's wife said the temp was 7 degrees during the morning ride.  In the shade it was cold. Good thing we were working hard and staying warm. 

The glacier lakes were blue, cold  and breathtaking. Everywhere you looked it was amazing. At a certain point we started to climb, and climb we did. Everyone just went at there own pace. I say you just have to pedal and find your happy place.

At the beginning I had a smile on my face.  

Near the end of the climb it was Ralph de Boer and I. No more smiles just pain and the determination to get to the top. One more corner. Maybe the next crest will be the top. 

More glacier lakes. It's hard not to stop. We did a lot of stopping. 

We stopped at carries rest stop, chips, granola bars. There were a lot of nice descents in the second half of the ride. We made our way to lake Louise. It was super busy with long weekend traffic.

  Lots of picks. I think I took 40-50 

  We made our way down the bow valley parkway all the way to the campsite. 

After eating a great dinner we sat by the glacial river and shot the breeze. 

We cooled some cheese and pop in the river. That was handy. That's it for tonight. See you all tommorow   

Day 2 Columbia ice to crossroad

Today started unlike a normal day. 730 to 830 breakfast. Then we loaded up the bikes and vans. We headed to the Columbia ice fields. 

Carrie and I hiked up to the edge of the glacier. We took three other cyclist along to the parking lot. Thveiw was great looking in either direction.  Forward or back towards the center. 

Carrie and I had to have a pic in front of the glacier. As you can tell I didn't selfy this one cause I would never take one of my big gut. 

I think the camera adds a few, a lot of pounds. Maybe it's just the angle. That's he last time I let someone take a pic. We finally got going at 12:30. I'm sure that's the latest we've ever got going. 

One thing is for sure the scenery was amazing. I found myself almost taking it for granted. 

After a few climbs we had some amazing descents. The were fast.  Not sure how fast but let's just say that if I had a garmen it would have read , fast. This pic I had to hang on both brakes to make the stop. It was worth the stop. As I pulled in I didn't even notice Carrie taking pics of us coming down the mountain. 

At the bottom there was a glacial river that disappeared into what seemed nowear. 

We stopped and went on an old bridge from 1938 and looked down. We could here the water but not see it it must have been 100 feet down. 

After a few more climbs and decents we made some good time. It was nice to get the body moving again after yesterday. My body was sore but it seems the vest medicine is to get moving again. 

We pretty much followed this glacial river all day and were surrounded by huge mountians. 

We pulled into the crossing where we stayed the night before. 

It was a great ride. Second day in a row with no cell service so I wrote the blog but can't publish it. Sorry. E

Whistler park in jasper to Columbia ice fields

Hi all 

It's been a while since I've written a blog. I'm sure no one missed it and if you did , well here it comes. Today's ride was about 100km and 4300 feet of climbing. Here's the website with our ride info if you want to follow along. http://ridewithgps.com/events/Jasper-to-Glacier

Today's ride is what I'd call baptism by fire. A very rough and humbling ride. The scenery was amazing but you defenetly paid for it. 

We left the camp ground feeling energetic and optimistic. Wow two big words in one sentence.

 Squirrel , We saw a deer yesterday. 

Before long we were right into the mountains. It was hard to keep your eyes on the road. 

First sag stop. I am riding with Jane , bob  . We stopped at the Athabaskan falls 

They were amazing. 

We biked along the river through the mountains. Spectacular, no it really was. 

Carries sag stop. She such an awesome encourager. 

I have so many picks but I can't tell you how awesome the scenery was. 

The climbs were very tough. The last 15 miles were very humbling and painful. It was well worth it though. We ended at the columbian ice fields. Ill take some picks tommorow. 

A special thanks to bob for dragging our sorry buts to the finish line. 

See you tommorow. Thanks 

Len