Day 1: Calgary to Jasper 450 kms

   Thomas called it right. We were like kids on Christmas morning yesterday, waiting for mom and dad to get up, so we could open presents. 

The three of us were up shortly after 5. This despite the fact that the appointed start time wasn’t until 9. After washing 600 kms worth of bugs off our bikes and fuelling up, we were pacing back and forth at Kevin’s place. Every time we heard a rumble outside we were up at the window checking to see if it was another member of the crew rolling up. Then more pacing. Trying to pay attention to the golf on tv. Then hopping up to the window again. 

It was a glorious first day of riding. Friday afternoon doesn’t really count. Saskatoon to Calgary is a leg of the journey to be endured, the preamble to the real riding that started, technically, once we got out of the roadwork-induced gridlock in Calgary.

Toasty day in the saddle. Those of us who chose to ride without protective wear (who will remain nameless) got penalized by the baking sun  blazing down on us all day long.

  

Stopped for lunch at The Post at The Post Hotel in Lake Louise. Stripped down to shorts and flip flops as it was already nudging 30 degrees by then. 

  We rode the Columbia Icefields Parkway: buttery smooth new surface was a pleasure to ride…despite all the RVs clogging the route.

Made a couple of tourist stops: one, for a bathroom break and jolt of caffeine at an old chunk of ice that must be significant judging by the crowds.

 
The other for the spectacular Athabasca Falls…

 

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The cast…

Kevin, 52, retired flooring tycoon, in Calgary. His ride: Victory Cross-Country.

Me, 51, communications professional in Saskatoon. Yamaha FJR 1300.

Jon, 35, a realtor in Calgary. Ducati Monster 800

Thomas, 35, an engineer for a potash company in Saskatoon. Triumph Speed Triple 1050

Les, 65, retired windows sales rep, now in Abotsford. Kawasaki Concours 1400

Merritt, 65, retired flooring sales rep, from Calgary. Kawasaki Nomad 1600

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Some interesting story lines beginning to emerge on Day 1:

• The younger fellas are pretty aggressive, err, assertive riders on the twisties
• Merritt will not gas up when he should; he ended up limping in to Jasper on fumes, testing the limits of his reserve / his low fuel light came on before the Columbia Icefield Visitor Centre
• More luggage capacity is a good thing. I’m pretty sure Jon and Thomas didn’t have room to pack a laptop or iPad in their tank bag or tail pack.