Alberta Bound 1000
Ride Story & Photos
Ride Dates: September 14-17, 2024
by Bob Goodison

They say that rides where everything goes as planned make crappy stories. For that reason, and because I wanted to have a record of what should be different next time- and yes, I really think there should be a next time- I decided it should go in the newsletter. I conceived the route a couple of years ago, but mostly due to wildfires did not get around to running it until this year. As most of the route covered roads I had never been anywhere near, I took advantage of RWGPS heat maps to see which roads the locals used. To be honest, as the ride got closer, I was both excited and a little scared, which is how a 1000 should be.

I was very happy when Paul Van Wersch and Dave King decided to join me on this adventure. Riding on the same Fleche team for years meant we know what to expect from each other, yet for some reason we all showed up anyway. Being able to split travel and accommodation costs was an added bonus. We arrived in Golden on Friday and walked over the beautiful covered footbridge to Spirit Square to check out the start. There sure were a lot of canopies and banners about. Wonder why? (Note for next time-check what other events are happening.)

Saturday morning we looked out and the parking lot was dry, but by the time we were ready to go it had started to drizzle. On with the rain gear, We rode over for the 06:00 start, but the closest we could get was the bridge. Spirit Square was full- over 600 ultra trail runners getting ready to start a 60 km race, starting at- you guessed it- 06:00. We decided it was better to start at 5:59 and adjust our times accordingly. Riding down Highway 95 to Radium Hot Springs the road was quiet, the riding was easy and we made good time, although the intensity of the rain increased. It almost stopped by the time we got to the first control in Radium, and I considered removing the rain gear. So glad I didn't. We stocked up, as it was 106 km with no services of any kind to the next control.

The next section was all new to Paul and I, and Dave hadn't been through for 40 years. Immediately out of Radium there was a sign: 11% grade for 5 km. The road made a tight wiggle through a massive rock cut and a tunnel, before coming to a section of construction where they were stopping traffic. This turned out to be a blessing as once we were through, traffic would go by in clumps, followed by long periods of nothing. Due to our different climbing speeds we got separated here, and it started to rain heavily again but. finally we got to the first summit. Dense fog and heavy rain made for an extremely cold descent, but once down the steep bit it eased up and we were in a valley with wide, smooth shoulders and the road even was dry for a while. One more long but relatively gentle climb took us to the high point of the route at about 1740 metres. About 6 km of steepish descent, then a gentle descending all the way to Castle Junction, with a brief stop to fix a flat.

By the time Dave and I got to Castle Junction we had seen the last of the rain and it was beautiful out. Off with the raingear! Paul rolled in a couple of minutes later, but all was not well. The knee that had bothered him on the Van Isle 1200 was acting up again and we discussed options of how to get back if he decided not to continue, but he decided to reassess in Banff. A sign on Highway 1A (our route) said it was closed 6 km ahead, but Dave asked some cyclists we met and they said we could get through. Sure enough, it was closed- but only to cars. We (and many, many other cyclists of all descriptions) enjoyed a gently rolling, perfectly smooth, car free cruise. Just after crossing Highway, we found ourselves on the Banff Legacy Trail- again, car-free, although there were a few gates to open and shut. I got another flat and found multiple cuts in the tire, so installed my spare. This great trail got us all the way to Canmore. Paul's knee was hanging in there. Then it was back on 1A - good pavement, not much shoulder, but nearly no traffic-for a ride through beautiful farmland to Cochrane, our first overnight at about 340 km.

Breakfast at the Days Inn was out earlier than they said it would be and we were on the road just after 6AM. Traffic was heavy on the 4-lane highway South until we crossed Hwy 1 (probably people commuting into Calgary). We were treated to a beautiful sunrise. Now that it was light, we could see frost on the grass and fence rails. We left the main highway at Bragg Creek, and stopped for our control at one of the Provincial Park entrances- except that the sign that indicated the park was not there. (Note for next time- New control question for Bragg Creek). Highway 758, 66, and 762 were smooth, quiet and scenic, but unexpectedly hilly. Tons of fun! Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and we had to get back on Hwy 22. It was busy. It was hilly. Some places the shoulder was good, other places it was barely there. My GPS froze up, and nothing would make it work- wouldn't even turn off. There were signs warning of wind, and sure enough there was a lot of it. Usually a cross wind from the East, but occasionally swirling around to be a brief headwind or tailwind. We stopped in Longview to resupply- last chance for about 130 km. Hills and more hills. No trees. (Note for next time- NEVER DO THIS ROUTE IN SUMMER - luckily it was a perfect 20ish C).

Dave was a bit ahead of me coming to the Highway 3 junction and Paul was a bit behind. I shifted to the small cog and WTF!! Spun without adding any forward go. My cassette lockring had fallen off (I thought). Dave was at the top of the next rise and saw me pull my rear wheel out. He assumed I had another flat, and that I would catch him at the next stopping point. I knew I wouldn't be able to properly tighten the lockring, but I figured I would be OK if I just kept an eye on it. But when I went to reinstall the lockring, I found that 3/4 of the freehub threads were broken away. [Photo] I figured I was pretty much screwed. I thought about zap strapping the cassette to the spokes, but I remembered someone else doing that, and it ending badly- a fixie with a derailleur is not a good combo. I put the chain onto one of bigger cogs and pedaled gently into the next gas station in the tiny town of Frank. I was on the phone with Susan discussing extraction options when Paul rolled in. He had decided it was best for his knee if he overnighted in Fernie at 639km and invited me to join him. I made the decision to ride it until I couldn't, and if I got to Fernie I would reassess then. Fortunately virtually all of the climbing for the day was done, and I made it to Fernie without incident. My GPS had finally shut off when the battery died, and started right up when I plugged it in. I let Paul know I was continuing to Cranbrook and off I rode, trying to ignore the noises from the back of my bike. It was a beautiful, quiet moonlight ride to Cranbrook. Dave, just over an hour ahead, experienced very heavy traffic and horrible shoulders with dangerous drainage grates- not a problem for me, as I was able to take the lane. (Note for next time- suggest to riders that are not overnighting in Fernie, that they go have a sit down dinner and wait until after dark to ride to Cranbrook).

Our hotel in Cranbrook at 736 km was another Days Inn. We stayed long enough to enjoy the excellent breakfast, then navigated to the NorthStar Rails to Trails. I had been told that this was an excellent bike route, but excellent was an inadequate description. I have never ridden a more enjoyable rail trail. Smooth, quiet, beautiful river views, multitudes of mule deer (and apparently some VERY well-fed bears). A bit chilly at +3C, but beautifully sunny. There was a squiggly detour off the trail just before Kimberly, but we found our way through. After our control in Kimberly, we were on Hwy 95A for about 30 km of nearly car-free smoothness. .Another fun section. Then we dropped into the valley bottom. I recalled the only other time I had ridden this road- with a strong wind pushing me North. Not today. MAJOR HEADWIND. Dave and I Traded pulls at 18-20 kmh, switching after pulling for less than 1 km. Many rest stops were required. Finally it eased off around Fairmont Hot Springs, but by then my legs were cooked. Dave had to take most of the pulls for the final bit. Despite the fatigue, it was pleasant in every way- scenery, road condition, traffic and weather. We rolled into Golden just as it was getting dark, very happy to be done. Paul had made up a bunch of time and finished about an hour and a half later.

I have to call the route a success, but it is not for everyone. The good parts are so very good that they far outweigh the not-so-good. The climbing feels like more than the 8666m that RWGPS claims it is, wind is a reality, and there are long stretches with no services. Not recommended as a first 1000, but for the seasoned rider, it is well worth it.