Who's up for a ride that involves a full day? I was thinking of the following route...Head West along the main hwy1, to the turnoff to hwy 93. Take that exit and bust up to Radium/Invermere area. There's a good breakfast/lunch place in Invermere called "The Blue Dog." We could stop in there for some food at about the 2hr (or so) mark - depending on how fast we go. We'll probably have to stop somewhere prior to this for gas...maybe Banff or Lake Louise.
Then...continue south past the Columbia Lake, Canal Flats and eventually to Cranbrook. We could stop in Cranbrook if we feel like it, or continue on along the Crowsnest. Either way, it's also another possible gas-up location.
The Crowsnest will take us through Fernie, Sparwood (home of the Titan...a bit larger than our bikes!) , and Coleman - with stops along the way for fuel. After Coleman, gas stations are few and far between, so it's probably a good idea to fill-up. Where hwy 3 meets 2, we head north and this will take us all the way to Calgary with stops in Nanton, and possibly Okotoks. Finally...we end up in Calgary, later in the day...maybe stopping at a pub for dinner, on the south side. Lots of choices...
Anyway...that's kind of the route, here's some more detailed shots. Use google earth if you want more detail and distances. I know you can drive Calgary to Fernie in about 3 hours...and Calgary to Invermere in about 2.5 to 3 hours...Those drives are about 2/3 of the trip...so I'm guessing it's close to 9 hours in a car. Obviously we can make better time than that. But definitely plan on a full day riding.
Here's the route, Part1 from Calgary to hwy93 connecting to Radium/Invermere.
Part2: Invermere to Cranbrook...
Part 3: Cranbrook to Fernie, Sparwood, and Coleman (at the 3 marker).
Part 4: Coleman to Fort Macleod - turnoff to Hwy 2 North. Junction of 2 & 3.
Part 5: Hwy 2/3 Junction to Nanton...This drive is fairly straight, and fast. You could make good time in this section. Not a lot to see here, but nice farmland. Excellent visibility for miles...assuming no storms. Stop in Nanton for fuel...
Part 6:Continuing on, we make make our way from Nanton to Okotoks. Again...you can fly on this section and make it to Okotoks in good time.
From there we make our final push to Calgary...short trip from Okotoks and we stop somewhere for a brew and dinner...WHEN TO GO:
Anyway...that's the plan...now we need to figure out a weekend to go.
There's the June 28/29the weekend which runs into Canada Day on Tues. July 1st. Not sure if people are around that weekend - but it's also a weekend that will be busy, busy with traffic, and likely cops too. Might want to avoid that one for those reasons.
That puts us into July...I can't do the July 5/6 weekend, but the 12/13, and 19/20 are available.
After that...I'm outta town for 3 weeks.
The other option: All of us take 1day off, in the week, and do it. Less traffic for sure, and would be a great day out of the office.
Votes?
