Not much sleep last night. Karaoke night at the hostel and the staff was drunk and making noise past 2am. Kept me trying to fall asleep most of the night. Woke up around 7:30 and packed, did a bit of a check up on the bikes and then went back to the mall to get something for breakfast and to take along the way. Also stopped at a bakery and got a granola, cereal, nuts and fruits cookie. Energy drink since I was still tired. The goodbye moment came and we hugged Jenny and wished her a good ride to Jasper. Im really gonna miss her since I strongly believe she was the perfect riding/travel partner. We rode until the intersection and Melanie and I went on Highway 1A and Jenny went on the 93. Safe travels Jenny "Mountain Goat" Harmer!
Highway 1A was as quiet and spectacular as everyone had warned me. The perfect route to take after a rest day, not many cars, lots of trees, quiet so you could get back into the riding spirit. I was keeping and eye for wildlife and had the bear spray handy. No signs of wild life for the first 2 hours. We rode shoulder to shoulder and I talked with Melanie about her fears and worries. Tried to build some confidence in her and answer some of her questions. We'd stop for pictures and kept talking and riding. Then I felt the need of going a little bit faster and some hills came along and I left her behind but making sure she was at a safe distance.
Downhills again and those i had to enjoy fully. Then I saw some cars pulled on the side of the road and I noticed 2 elk on the side, pulled out my camera but they started heading into thew woods, now way my first sight at wildlife was gonna leave me hanging so I leaned Dante and went after them keeping safe distance. They were huge and so nice to see. Walking next to each other and eating bushes they didn't seemed to be disturbed by my presence.
Downhills again and those i had to enjoy fully. Then I saw some cars pulled on the side of the road and I noticed 2 elk on the side, pulled out my camera but they started heading into thew woods, now way my first sight at wildlife was gonna leave me hanging so I leaned Dante and went after them keeping safe distance. They were huge and so nice to see. Walking next to each other and eating bushes they didn't seemed to be disturbed by my presence.
Kept on riding and about half an hour later saw a third one, more pictures, an hour later I saw a 4th one. I was getting all Elk-out and needed to see a bear now hehe. Some prairie dogs running across the road. Once I saw the Banff sign I started pedalling faster, I wanted to have lunch in Banff but keep on riding to Canmore. I figured it'd be cheaper than staying in Banff. Got to Banff and took pictures at the sign, then pulled over at the entrance and waited for Melanie and ate some snacks while writing on my journal. As soon as she came we had a quick bite but it started raining and we decided to go into town looking for cover and a proper meal, it was a bit chilly so the first thing I saw was a Tim Hortons. French onion soup and a chicken salad sandwich for me. After the rain we rode another 25Km to Canmore, got to the Bear Hostel, asked Mel to do some research on the next 3 days and I called my brother and Claire. Uploaded the pictures and emails. Tired and went to bed at midnight.
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