Transitions

This entry is a bit delayed due to our arrival in the city of Calgary, where we've taken the time to explore before the weather turns cold.

We set off on Wednesday morning for what would be a 72-mile ride from Canmore to Calgary. Unexpectedly, it became one of the best rides of the entire tour. With the wind at our backs and a consistent downhill profile, we made record time getting to the city. However, it was the ride itself, along with the transitions and the stunning scenery, that truly stood out.

Leaving Canmore, which I imagine is a fantastic ski town in the winter, the colors were extraordinary. Mountain peaks, bright sunshine, battling clouds, and rain shadows created a breathtaking landscape. We rode along Highway 1A, which had very little traffic. As we descended, the terrain quickly changed. The bright sunshine began to chase away the clouds, and we found ourselves riding through the forested foothills of the Rocky Mountains, dotted with beautiful lakes, streams, and a handful of ranches. 

The road then transitioned again into protected Stoney Nation land. Riding through this area was fascinating. While the highway allowed general traffic, the surrounding land was protected and governed by the Stoney Nation. We passed through this region the day after Canada’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (an official holiday), which prompted me to reflect on the clash of values between First Nation inhabitants and Canadian settlers, similar to what occurred in the United States.  The work and effort around truth and reconciliation must be challenging, but at the same time commendable that it is taking place here.

Entering Calgary

As we left Stoney Nation land, we descended further, and suddenly, open space and prairie land stretched out before us. In the distance, we could see the skyline of Calgary.

The transition to the city felt strange, considering the many small towns we had passed through since leaving Vancouver. Like all major Canadian cities we’ve visited, Calgary has an extensive bike path network. We rode along the Bow River until we reached our downtown destination. We plan to spend at least five days here, taking in the city and planning our next steps. 

Calgary is our destination point, but weather permitting, we are interested in continuing our ride eastward, heading south toward Montana, where we can catch a train back to Portland or simply fly from Calgary to Portland. It’s definitely getting cold, and the short autumn in this part of the world will soon give way to winter and the transition from bikes to skis. In the meantime, we will soak in the friendliness and wonderful cultural diversity of this fantastic city in western Alberta, Canada.