07/07/2014 - 08/07/2014 - A Break from Cycling, Two days in Jasper.

 

 

View Rockies Hike in a larger map

Jasper is an incredible place, a small town inset amongst the towering mountains of the Rockies. A destination where upwards of 7 millions people pass through every year. With a plethora of hiking trails through a variety of terrain it certainly was an ideal place for me to relax and enjoy what Jasper had to offer. 

Now, I suppose most people would use the term 'relax' and find bywords like beach,  sit, rest, chill, not to exert oneself; I would agree but also throw in things like, running up mountains, reaching that point of pure exhaustion, profusely sweating and the result of all this is a great big smile having done something so awesome. 

What I am talking about here is climbing but mostly running up Mount Whistler, a steep ascent with many switchbacks that pushed up past the tree line and exposed areas familiar to those who have seen Lord of the Rings. The view from the summit was more than breathtaking and I honestly couldn't ask for better weather. 

Meeting two Swedish guys on the trail we mistakenly took an unconventional route that put us in the position where we had to use all fours to climb the shale rock face, two steps up and slide back one.... As I said unconventional - but we reached the top albeit more exhausted than if we stuck to the trail. 

Climbing down mountains is something I don't enjoy because my knees are shot from years of tree planting and cycling but thankfully this place offered a cable cart to take people up and down the mountain. But this came at an extortionate price of $18 one way. I paid this but it turned out that it wasn't necessary as they were not checking tickets. 

My wallet was opened up many times during these two days and much more money was spent than the almost week of cycling it was to get here. Accommodation at a hostel for two nights, food and beer at restaurants and pubs, taxis and treats, it all added up but it was certainly worthwhile. 

Day two offered a near fluorescent beautiful glacial fed lake that I and a bunch of others went to and swam in the pristinely clear waters where it was possible to walk on the sand bar out to the center of the lake for a 360 pano of the surroundings. 

Going here was shortly after watching the semifinal World Cup match between Germany and Brazil, 7-1 !!! Crazy, as Brazil was humiliated. The bar (of mostly Germans and German supporters) went nuts for the game, it was quite the scene. 

Having met some fantastic people over the past two days all of whom were impressed by my travels and search for adventure it was worthwhile staying in a hostel where it is so easy to get along with these fellow travelers, I had an awesome time but I have to go to work in a couple of days and I have to set off. 

Jasper, I'll return to you someday soon to see what else you have to offer.

Hiking up Whistlers mountain.

 

Unbeatable views

Wildlife!

Conquering Whistler Mountain, getting as high as I can get!

Watching the crazy football match

…and then went to this beautiful lake

06/07/2014 - Cycling the Rockies on a Cheap Bike. Day 6

Distance cycled: 46.9km from Lucerne Campground to Whistlers HI Hostel, outside of Jasper.
Average speed: 16.1Km/h
Moving Time: 2h54m
Elevation Ascended: 649m
Burned Calories: 2005kcal
Burned Fat: 260g
Total Distance on Current trip: 494km
Distance until I have cycled the circumference of Earth: 12,485km
Money spent: $22

 

View Rockies day 6 in a larger map

The lakeside view from where I camped this morning was beautiful - as you can see above :).
This morning I spent several hours procrastinating which I suppose is a form of rest as today I felt drained of all my energy, not surprisingly with the amount of strenuous activity I have put myself though over the past week and two months planting trees.
Finally gathering myself and after peeling a multitude of layers of skin off my face due to the sunburn the other day I set off cycling the 35 odd kilometers to Jasper.
Amongst the beautiful setting of the Rockies I reached the Albertan border and entered Jasper, a touristy town that has upwards of 7 million people invade the place every year.
With the bus loads of Asian tourists, RV campers, mobile homes and touring cyclists it was obvious that tourism is abundant here for the outdoor activities and views  with the prices of groceries, the variety of shops and fancy restaurants, the place is extortionately expensive and as I had been here before I had no need to stick around the town.
However I ran into the Spanish friends I met at the base of mount Robson at the park outside the info center. So I hung with them for several hours. Victor and Marta being on a bicycle tour around North America for several months on a similar budget than I do it on had similar experiences with the people and places that I had passed and in fact had cycled the same roads as me from 100 mile house (where I started) to here. Unfortunately though at this point they are taking a different route south towards Banff while I head further east.
Victor and Marta joined me to the hostel 6km out of town where we tried checking in however the last bed had been given away only 30 minutes before arriving! Damn!
The girl at reception (Cassie) was kind enough to let me use the facilities and finally have a shower after not having one for 4 days - needless to say it was heavenly.
I washed some clothes, cleaned my cooking pots, used the wifi and met a mass of cool people who were kind enough to feed me food after telling them about my adventures around the world. I even saved $30 as we couldn't stay there; instead we pushed our bikes 150 meters from the hostel down a trail and pitched our tents in an open grassy area.

 

Morning Glory

 

Marta and Victor (spanish)

05/07/2014 - Cycling the Rockies on a Cheap Bike. Day 5

Distance cycled: 72.7km from Tete Jaune Cache to Lucerne campground 35km from Jasper
Average speed: 17.9Km/h
Moving Time: 4h03m
Elevation Ascended: 758m
Burned Calories: 2680kcal
Burned Fat: 348g
Total Distance on Current trip: 447km
Distance until I have cycled the circumference of Earth: 12,532km
Money spent: $0

View Rockies day 5 in a larger map

 

No other word can describe my day more appropriately than 'wicked', not only did I experience one of my best days cycling ever, I didn't spend a cent. On top of this I saw some pretty spectacular landscapes and wildlife; today included everything that a touring cyclist would enjoy.
Waking up to have a hummingbird fly an arms length in front of my face I knew that the day was going to be epic pushing myself on the ups and downs of the yellowhead highway that scythes it's way through the Rocky Mountains passing by Mount Robson, Canada's highest peak towards Jasper.
Along the way I met other touring cyclists who are always good fun to have a chat with, touching on topics we cyclists often converse about, generally weather, roads, bad truck drivers, head wind etc.
Certainly one of the highlights of the day was encountering a black bear just wandering behind some shrubs beside the highway, it was difficult to get a good shot (camera) until it was intimidated by my and got up on its hind legs; I had my bicycle directed down the hill in the opposite direction I was cycling just in case it decided to chase me with my hand firmly gripped to my bear spray I bought the other day. I managed to get within 15 feet of the beast before it ran off into the forest. It was an adrenaline pumping moment and certainly worth the risk for the snapshot.
Scenic photo galore as you can see below with all the shots the Rockies that surrounded and towered over me all day with many of the shots taken where I had to  set up my tripod and cycle away to frame me in the shot. Anyways, enjoy the phot's below.
Including the cyclists, I met some pretty awesome people today who helped me out not spending a single penny.  Free coffee and wifi in the morning from the guy who owned the camping ground and hotel across the river from where I "ninja"camped (the duo of cycling spaniards referred to free camping as this) and in the early afternoon I met some locals camping who I got chatting with who fed me beer, daiquiris and a BBQ meal with all the trimmings. I also managed to camp at the camping spot for free having spoken to the guy running the place.

All in all, a wicked day and undeniably a near perfect day to remember forever.

Passing by the highest point in Canada, Mount Robson.

Here I met some other cyclists on tour

A black bear on the side of the road

Stunning Views

 

 

Ahhh, Canada, no this and no that.

Lucerne Camping where I managed to camp for free.

The the people I met who fed me and had a great time with.