Stage 7 - Lake Louise to Fairmont Hot Springs - May 31

Another incredible day in Mother Nature’s paradise. Words and pictures do not adequately convey the magnificence seen when immersed outdoors in all of nature’s grandeur. Breathtaking.

The day was classic David. Ours is not a linear path targeting Maine as directly as possible. Our route was planned by David to maximize adventures along the way. The first week has been chock full of fun.

We started Friday with a climb reaching 10-11% grades to see Lake Louise’s Fairmont Chateau. The hotel, adjacent lake, and views were magnificent.

Next up after a short descent was another climb with more 10-11% grades to see Lake Marlaine. The views were spectacular. We saw numerous “small” avalanches on the distant mountains, each announced with a sharp crack.

We regrouped at last night’s hotel before departing eastward. In other words, while we were not any closer to Maine, we had started the day with two fantastic and unforgettable (avalanches!) adventures.

I concluded my cycling after 65 miles in Banff (yesterday I rode 92 miles). My knees needed a break. Banff is a very cool town and we enjoyed a big lunch at The Spaghetti Factory.

I haven’t eaten like this since I was a teenager. It’s all fuel - we cannot consume enough calories to replenish what we burn each day. OMG, am I having fun eating!

We retraced our steps via van out of Banff and headed towards our day’s destination: Fairmont Hot Springs.

Three Norseman resumed cycling at Boom Lake. Several hours later, Jonah completed his first Century, an awesome accomplishment. Vik and David rode Centuries today as well.

We saw three Grizzlies and over a half dozen Black Bears today. We also saw several groups of Bighorn Sheep. Wow!

I am very happy for my fellow Norseman’s cycling accomplishments. I am personally happy to have exercised the “Wisdom of No” and stopped cycling when I did. Better to save myself for future days’ cycling adventures.

Having ridden 75, 84, 91 & 92 miles and climbed multiple steep summits miles in length, I have proven my cycling mettle. But I do not like stopping in the middle. The task is to remember my "metric" is not how much I ride on any individual day but on how many days I cycle and have fun doing so.

My knees are happy. And my knees don't care what my brain is or is not thinking.


ODDS & ENDS …

I trained three to five days a week for seven months preparing for The Northman’s Passage. It’s been four and a half decades (or since high school) that I followed such a structured regimen. The gap in time makes this experience even more meaningful for me.

It’s light outside until 10:00 in the evening. Greatly increases time available to ride (of which we are taking full advantage).

Most vehicles traveling this afternoon and evening carried bikes. Obviously, Canadians are very smart people!