#15 7/18/13: Helena to Basin - 43.6mi

Hi there.  Boy!  I seriously lucked out yesterday.  I had heard a weather forecast predicting severe thunderstorms  and hail in the late afternoon so I made a point of getting into Helena early.  And sure enough, the storm came right on schedule but fortunately I was already checked into a motel - my first in 14 days on the trail.  Talk about timing!  Phew! Sure glad I wasn't out there in it!  Heard on the news this morning that so far this year 4 people have been injured by lightning in Montana's Natl Park.  Gulp!  Not a cloud in the sky this morning so I'm off again.

I am just not able to post very often plus I'm not able to attach photos.  So sorry!  But I will tell you yesterday, I saw 2 elk, 1 handsome buck and a moose.  So far, over 600 mi and 3 US Divide crossings behind me.

I would really appreciate receiving individual emails and or texts.  They really help to keep up my spirits.  Gotta go!  The trail calls.

#1 7/4/13: Banff to Marble Canyon - 34.1 miles

I sleep terribly at the Y.  I'm exhausted and I haven't even pedaled a stroke!  Way too much fiddling with equipment, getting it all in these friggin' Relevate bags, it's driving me nuts. At last minute, I had to flip the stem up to give enough clearance for Sweet Roll. I did a mail drop but it's still too much stuff.

Breakfast with us four at Tooloulou's and we're off west along the Bow Valley Pkwy.   Scenery is spectacular with glaciers on mountain top, fir and aspen, white puffy clouds and trickling brooks.  Lots of wildlife:  wolf, osprey and chicks on bridge.  Oh so nice!

We turn south on Route 93 at Castle Mountain and cross our first Divide Crossing.  Although I am disappointed we didn't get to do the Canadian Section of the GDMBR because of the flooding, I am very happy with this asphalt alternative.  It's beautiful!

We arrive at Marble Canyon Provincial Park around 2pm and vote we stop as I am very travel weary.  We set up in a nice covered pavilion with tables & plumbed water.  Then spot wild hares and moose skat.

The guys go for a hike down the Canyon.  I just need some quiet time so I just wonder the campground and meet Mike who's cycling solo from Fairbanks to Grand Canyon and Sally with her dog, Aura, from Montana.  Mike is wearing "Meals on Wheels" T-shirt with bear chasing a cyclist.  Yikes!

After dinner, I go for a walk and spy a black bear who's just cruisin' down the river and oblivious to me.  Wow!  My first bear!

7/2-3/13 Kailua-Kona to LAX to Calgary

My super-cheap, red-eye, one-way $240 and 9 hr flight (Expedia: United & Air Canada) from Kailua-Kona to LAX to Calgary is smooth except for the transfer to Air Canada which is tense because of poor communication.  United charges me $125 for XS bike frame box and separate wheel box with all my gear loaded inside.  Unfortunately, I didn't sleep a wink!

The view down from plane to Rockies, where I'll be riding, looks very intimidating as it's still covered in snow!  Yikes! 

The Calgary stampede is about to go off but unfortunately it has to be scaled back due to flooding.  

The shuttle ride to from the Calgary Airport to Banff via Banff Airporter ($60)  is extremely smooth but it reveals lots of flood damage especially in Cranmore.

Banff is beautiful!  Wish I had scheduled a day to explore Banff but I'm more time to explore but schedule off to the Kootenays tomorrow.  The van takes me directly to Banff YWCA ($37) where I meet the 4 cyclists I'd communicated with via Adventure Cycling Association.  I immediately launch into building up my bike. All goes really well.  Just a little struggle with my low volume pump and my tubeless tires which have to be seated but I get it.

I run around town looking for bear spray ($42) and then denatured alcohol for stove.  Multiple trips to Standish Hardware reveal Canadians call it methyl hydrate.  Phew!  I really worried I wouldn't find fuel for my ultralite soda can stove!

Then dinner at Banff Brew Pub w fellow cyclists Leslie, Jamie, Roger & John.  Back to the Y to shuffle thru my gear and meet roommate Anna who is just starting her career as a pastry chef and the Banff Hotel. Her photo portfolio was gorgeous. But other roommates are horrible.  Didn't get to bed until 11pm. Took a sleeping pill at 1am.

I'm Off!

I'm sitting in the airport waiting for my flight to Calgary.  Fingers crossed everything is packed and safe.  I have been preparing for months and now just can't wait to get on the trail.  Unfortunately, that won't happen til I reach the US border because the Alberta flooding has wiped out the Canadian portion.  So it'll be asphalt the first 5 days or so.

I would like to thank  Mike Curiak himself who helped me tremendously.  Not only did he build me a beautiful set of wheels but provided tons of advice. Where would I be without him!  Roger at Niner Bikes was also very helpful.  Thanks to my trusty mechanic, Jason, who patiently checked and rechecked everything.  And Dr. Lindborg for his 3rd world experience on how to stay healthy in the backwoods and Dr. Beattie for the Supartz knee shots. Hope they work!

A huge thanks also goes out to Savoury & Lisa who will be taking care of my cat and property.  I won't worry about a thing! And Ginny for my good luck charm, Piazzie for the ride to the airport, and Carol for her care.

That's me at Kahuku Natl Park fully loaded!  Here we go!  2.5+ months!  I've never headed out on a trip not knowing when I'll return!