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• Leader: Peter Donkers 250-818-5375
• Co-leader: Jude Loukras 250.532.1104
• Trip Dates: Wed, 6 Sep 2023 -- Sat, 16 Sep 2023
• Trip Classification: Advanced
• Trip Fee: $1500 USD  Note that the fee for this trip is NOT in Canadian Dollars.
• Trip Numbers: minimum 8 , maximum 16
• Trip Registration Opens: Mon, 16 Jan 2023 5:00 PM (pacific time)
• Registration Lottery Ends: Fri, 20 Jan 2023 5:00 PM (pacific time)
• Trip Registration Closes: Fri, 20 Jan 2023 5:00 PM (pacific time)

Ride Description:

Going-to-the-Sun Road, also known as Glacier Route 1 Road, is notable as one of the first US National Park Service projects specifically intended to give touring visitors access to Glacier National Park without the need for a horse.

 The two-lane Going-to-the-Sun Road is quite narrow and winding, offering spectacular views as we ride through Glacier National Park. Most of the uphill pedalling is crammed into 20 kilometres at a steady 6% grade.

Going-to-the-sun Road is scheduled to remain open until October 1. From May 1 to September 11, a road pass is required to access the Going-to-the-sun Road. The road pass is $2 (USD) and is available 120 days in advance. After Labor Day, cyclists are permitted to travel Going-to-the-sun Road at all times.

This tour will start and end in Whitefish. Montana. Our 8 days of riding will take us to Eureka before crossing the border into Fernie, BC. From Fernie, we will ride east into Alberta with stops in Blairmore and Pincher Creek. From Pincher Creek we will continue onto Waterton Lakes National Park, staying at the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel with its gorgeous views of Upper Waterton Lake and the mountains beyond. A layover day on Waterton will give you an opportunity to hike, fish, horseback ride, kayak or simply laze about and restore your energy for the final legs back into the Montana with stops at St. Mary and West Glacier before completing our tour back in Whitefish.

Accommodation Reservations:

This tour is designed as a self-supported, Inn-to-Inn tour.  Participants will need to carry their own luggage on their bikes and understand that there will not be a support vehicle. Participants will have the option of riding on their own, at their own pace or joining in small groups with other participants and riding together. However participants choose to ride the tour, they will be responsible for getting themselves to the destination hotel each night. In case of inclement weather or sickness/injury, riders should be prepared to arrange and pay for their own transportation to the next hotel or back to their car, as appropriate.

Accommodation will be at mid-range motor inns and hotels, with the exception of Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Village, which is a higher end accommodation.

 (sample accommodations)

Whitefish, Montana: Best Western Rocky Mountain Lodge

Eureka, Montana: Riverstone Family Lodge

Fernie, British Columbia: Best Western Fernie Mountain Lodge

Blairmore, Alberta: Travelodge by Wyndham Blairmore

Pincher Creek, Alberta: Travelodge by Wyndham Pincher Creek

Waterton Village: Prince of Wales Hotel (2 nights)

St. Mary, Montana: St. Mary Village

West Glacier, Montana: West Glacier Lodge

Whitefish, Montana: Best Western Rocky Mountain Lodge

Riding Conditions:

The scenery promises to be spectacular!! This tour will average between 60 and 100 kms/ day with elevation gains between 500 and 1000 meters / day. Weather in early-to-mid September temperatures will average 23c with little probability of rain. Daylight averages 9 hours/day. Participants should ensure that they pack wet weather clothing in the event of rain. Carrying a bear bell or bear spray is also recommended. (Note: bear spray cannot be taken across the international border.)

 This tour is ebike compatible. Members considering joining this ride understand that not all bicycles are compatible to pannier touring. 

Bike Rentals / eBikes

If you prefer to rent a bike for this tour, please contact Glacier Cyclery in Whitefish at 406.862.6446.

 

Fee Includes:

• 10 nights accommodation
• Maps and GPS routes will be available from the CCCTS route library and available to download one week before the tour start date.
• 4 dinners (Whitefish, Eureka, Blairmore, Pincher Creek). A number of hotels offer free breakfast.
• Group canoe rentals in Waterton National Park
• National Park Entry Fees
• Credit card stripe fee (3%) of money paid through CCCTS website

Fee Does Not Include:

• Transportation to and from the starting and ending point of the tour.
• Meals other than those noted above.
• Participants must be self-sufficient in the event of a bicycle breakdown. At a minimum, all participants must carry 2 spare tubes, patch kit, tire pump and basic bike tools.
• Tour Leaders will pay the same cost as all other tour members.

Itinerary:

Day 0: Arrival & check-in
Day 1: Whitefish, Montana to Eureka, Montana: 90 kms / 1000 m

Day 2: Eureka, Montana to Fernie, British Columbia: 86 kms / 380 m

Day 3: Fernie, British Columbia to Blairmore, Alberta: 71 kms / 481 m

Day 4: Blairmore, Alberta to Pincher Creek, Alberta: 47 kms / 123 m

Day 5: Pincher Creek, Alberta to Waterton Village: 44 kms / 386 m

 

 

Day 6: Layover Day in Waterton National Park

Day 7: Waterton Village, Alberta to Babb / St. Mary, Montana: 77 km / 875 m

Day 8: Babb / St. Mary, Montana to West Glacier, Montana: 94 km / 784 m

Day 9: West Glacier, Montana to Whitefish, Montana: 50 km / 198 m

 

Registration and Participant Selection:

Registration will be on the CCCTS website on the date shown. A computerized lottery system and waitlist will be utilized in the event that the ride is over-subscribed. A $50 (USD) payment is required at the time of registration. The lottery signup will run for 5 days, after which the Ride Leader will review the results.

The tour member selection process will consider the following criteria in evaluating candidates:

• fitness and riding ability and experience required for the tour,
• a history of demonstrating safe riding practices,
• acceptable social behavior.

The leader may interview riders or others who know them to verify their suitability for the tour.

• The leader will notify registrants of their selection status. If the ride is not filled to capacity, registration will continue until the closing dates shown.
• After you have been notified you are selected for the tour, a deposit of $500 (USD) will be due within a few weeks. The remaining balance of $950 (USD) is due on July 1, 2023.
• In the event of cancellation – If a replacement can’t be found, we will refund any fees for costs that could be avoided. However, if there are costs that cannot be avoided, these will not be refunded.
• If you are a solo cyclist and would like a roommate, we will attempt to match you to one. If you are a solo cyclist and would like to have your own room and pay the Single Supplement fee, please notify the Tour Leader right after you register since this can impact the accommodation arrangements.

 

All participants must be eligible to cross the international border and have a valid passport.

 COVID Information:

• CCCTS riding guidelines including applicable Covid guidelines will apply.  CCCTS requires all participants to be fully vaccinated, and proof may be requested by the leaders.

Everyone should bring a COVID test kit(s) with them on the tour and take responsibility for self-testing if they feel ill.