Wild sights and wild life

So we arrived in Banff NP Saturday morning and saw wildlife as soon as we entered the park- mountain sheep and a moose. Headed on a hike near Bow mountain (pic 1). Drove north on the Ice fields parkway- drive it if you can. Short way up there we saw a bear in the verge, then a hundred yards further there was another on the other side munching on berries. Further North and we arrived at the Columbia Ice field. Lots of morons walking on the glacier, even though it clearly said "do not go on the glacier" Morons!

Anyways, glaciers are impressive. We popped back south to Lake Louise, were we had set up camp earlier in the day. Drove out of town for dinner at the Fairmont. Very fancy place, but over rated if you ask me. Anyways the view there across the lake (pic 4) is stunning. After dinner we went back to our campsite. Only time that I've slept with an electric fence around me. Designed to keep not just the bears out but also the wolves and the mountain lions! Went and did some more sight seeing in the park today- Yoho and the likes. Had dinner in Banff- funny town, ho ho ho. Now rested up in a motel in Canmore and hope to ride around the Nordic center here tomorrow. They had 24 hours of adrenalin here this weekend and have staged numerous world cup races too. So we're hoping that the trails are SWEET. Weather cooler today. Cheers, Lynx

oh Canada

So we've made it to the land of Bacon (Canada Bacon that is!), although have yet to try the real thing.
Crossed the border yesterday. Helped by the nicest of immigration officials ever- where to camp and the best biking in Fernie were offered up. Drove the hour up to Fernie, bought a trail map, pitched tent and rode an awesome trail. 'Stoves'' an 'Dem Bones' with a real kicker in between. Involved a hellish descent and then ascent, but really good lines to get back to Dem Bones. Had a lazy PM and decided to try a different area in the early evening. Deep wooded riding with steep uphills with lots of roots. Ended up getting almost lost and as the sun was sinking lower and lower in the sky we felt that back tracking would be a good idea. There was some great riding, but didn't relate too well to the map, especially as we had a fair bit of poushing too. Temperatures still super high- 99 at one point. This is Canada for goodness sake! Did cause rain over night.
Woke this morning and did another ride in Fernie. We like the riding- So quiet and the trails are real buff in places. Today we rode out of town and did a trail called 'sidewinder'- which should real have been the 'hill climber' as it rolled straight up hill for a good while. Kicked out on a mix of real flowing roller coaster trails- 'broken derailleur', 'dead fall', 'eco warrior' before dropping you back down to town on 'what's up doc'. Met our first biker, on trail, in Canada - complete with bear spray.
Left town after lunch and headed north along the Rockies to Radium where we are currently residing. Sweet campsite as showers, Wi fi and washing machines!! Tomorrow we head to Banff National Park and the Ice fields Highway, which we're told is rather impressive.

Headed north from Jo and RL's on Tuesday along the Flathead lake- consumed loads of fresh cherries grown along the shore there. Spent last night in Whitefish, Stayed at a state park there on the lake shore. Awesome nights sleep as train track right next to site and constant freight train action all night. Sweet. Got up early today and headed out for a stunning ride on the Reid Divide just out of town. 26miles. First 10 up and then rolled along and down a stunning single track for 12 before hitting a road back to the car. Great ride. Just got an oil change and coffee and heading to Eureka tonight before crossing into Canada tomorrow morning. Weather continues to be hot. Real hot. Pics- Goose on Reid and downtown Whitefish.

missoula (translates to Hellgate)

Arrived in Missoula yesterday afternoon. I made it up to Bozeman to collect Goose- flight delayed for a couple of hours. Spent the previous day looking at wildlife- moose and grizzly, fishing-caught a few this time, and riding the bike- Big Sky. Drove over with Goose to RL and Jo's new place. They've just moved here from CO, as RL has taken a post as head coach for a local HS football team. Amazingly hot here, really hot in fact. Went off for a hike today and pottered round town. Here for a few more days before heading further north.

Iconic views

Today, driving from home to West Yellowstone I encountered a couple of the true iconic American postcard views. The Grand Tetons- hope you like the bug splats, and Old Faithful-not as regular as you may think as nearly gave up on this pic!. Hopefully my buddy, Dan, will be atop of the Grand next week. I had a mellow drive up here- no real hurry. 600miles in 12 hours with a few stops. Nice thing about driving in Wyoming- no traffic until you hit Yellowstone, then there's loads and there's road works.

Staying in West Yellowstone tonight on the edge of the park, um...nough said. It's one of those places that you could miss and not really miss. Yeah, you know!

Plan a ride tomorrow morning and then try and drop a fly in somewhere en route north as the fishing is said to be stunning here. Just have to see what I can sort out. Hope to camp tomorrow near Bozeman so I can roll out of the campsite to the airport to collect Goose Saturday morning.

Later, Lynx

few more pics from the epic

Riding up and over French road on Wednesday - Belgian behind me!

Rolled away fast once we topped out
after a bit of walking-Belgian infront of me

Then climbed up and over Georgia pass for a stunning downhill

Bits

Couple of pics from the EPIC. The much prized belt buckle and a picture from day one prologue. The story appeared in the Denver post- currently trying to improve my blogging skills and create a hyper- link - but for now just click on the link at the bottom.

Just about packed for the trip and hope to be able to post from the road.

We'll have to wait and see.

http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_12830285

One door shuts and another opens

Well the Breck Epic has been and gone - what an amazing experience. Quick summary of the event- 6 days back to back mountain bike racing around the town of Breckenridge. Raced with a doc Goose works with, Jeff, in the duo open. Most of the race is over 9500ft. first day, prologue was only 7 miles- all up hill, couple of 1000ft climb. The days after that average 35-45 miles with 6-7000ft of climbing. Mostly on single track. Awesome. Pooped. An article may make it to the Denver Post this coming week I'll add a link if so! Only real downer for the race was the migraine on the last day. Resulted Jeff racing solo and the team getting a 90minute time penalty. Still came in 5th in our class and got a huge belt buckle. The big thing we're both proudly holding(left end). The guy in front of Jeff is, of course, one of the Belgians!

Big shout to all involved as a true "life experience". Cheers Mike Mac

Had a lazy day today - popped up to West Magnolia, near Ned, for a short spin. Escaped the heat too which is an added bonus.

Heading to Mark and Angie's for a BBQ tonight.

The week will be spent sorting out stuff for the road trip- I head North on Thursday and Goose flies up to Bozeman Saturday as she has work Friday until 7pm. We're then away for a couple of weeks and may cross the border into Canada. Taking the bikes and tent and planning a sweet little adventure.

up and running

well it looks like we are up and running with our blog.
I'm busy doing the breck epic- 6 day stage mtb race, and goose is stuck at home working- although she heads to WP tomorrow to pre ride the w/e race course.