| Newsletter - RM 1200 Route Proposals |
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Hi Jeff - I notice a request for routes page posted so thought I’d dabble a bit with a route. Ideally we would have a route that has maximum scenery, smooth roads, ample opportunities for support (club provided or not – day and night), minimal traffic - and the logistics to and from the start and finish would be reasonable. [Tracy Barill, Feb 2, 2011]
Calgary - Harrison Hot Springs
So here’s a suggestion – Calgary AB (University of Calgary) to Harrison Hot Springs BC Rocky Mountain 1201k. Map can be located at: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/27772950 . The immediate benefits are:
· the start is close to Calgary’s international airport – fly in – no car needed – stay at a local hotel or at the university dorms (summer rates and availability)
· the destination town is a real plus as well – Harrison Hot Springs – ample hotels – quiet and peaceful – 40 minutes to Abbotsford International (flies to Calgary via WestJet) and 90 minutes to Vancouver
· the Alberta Randonneurs could/would/hopefully will help with the volunteers and coordination from Calgary, and Beauty Creek thus reducing the cost to transport abundant volunteers from western BC while reducing the carbon footprint
· Start at the Olympic park area and meander through Calgary – liken to an Olympic city to Olympic city designation
· Travel through several towns with overnight services and ample accommodations
· Scenery is spectacular – include the best that the traditional Rocky Mountain has to offer with the addition of Calgary, Canmore, Kamloops to Cache Creek desert, Fraser River Canyon and Harrison Hot Springs
· Minimal time on the trans-Canada hwy 1 (about 16k)
· no Kicking Horse Pass and no Rogers Pass…I wouldn’t mind giving those two up in place of the Fraser Canyon.
Details:
Start: University of Calgary campus – variety of egress routes from campus – University of Calgary would have affordable on-site accommodations in dorms – this is typically post-rodeo so accommodations in the city should not be an issue – a Calgary start might be more accessible and quicker to get to for most (Kamloops is a 3 ½ hour drive from Vancouver – the return drive by fatigued cyclists is a concern – Calgary flight is just over an hour)
Finish: Harrison Hot Springs Resort – book a couple of cabins – access to hot springs – views are spectacular – agreeable finish – as opposed to the 60k slog typically into headwinds into downtown Kamloops
Possible Controls (main in bold):
· University of Calgary – 0k
· Cochrane AB – 46k
· Canmore AB – 120k
· Banff – 145k
· Lake Louise AB – 204k
· Saskatchewan River Crossing – 284k
· Beauty Creek AB – 342k – possible sleep centre and food
· Jasper AB – 438k – alternative sleep centre
· Mount Robson BC – 522k
· Valemount 558k
· Blue River – 648k – possible sleep centre with food
· Clearwater – 750k – alternative sleep centre
· Kamloops – 880k – alternative sleep centre
· Cache Creek – 965 – possible sleep centre
· Spences Bridge – 1012k
· Lytton – 1050k
· Boston Bar – 1095k
· Hope - 1158k
· Harrison Hot Springs - 1202k
Fully supported controls required including start and finish: Calgary, Beauty Creek Hostel, Blue River, Cache Creek (or Spences Bridge) and Harrison Hot Springs – 5 controls ( 3 sleep controls ).
Road conditions are good to excellent with the usual concerns around Sumwapta Pass. Paved shoulders are available on most every road chosen. The Blue River or Valemount options for sleep control at least gives some choice.
Additional advantages could be:
· more gradual approach to both Bow Pass and Sunwapta Pass (uncertain though)
· a more attractive destination for families and friends at either Calgary or Harrison Hot Springs
· reduced carbon footprint by not shipping nearly everybody to Kamloops and back
· more accessible start and a more desirable finish
· shared volunteer base across BC and Alberta Randonneurs
· improved scenery on less travelled roads – the Revelstoke to Sicamous is so busy that most of this leg is heads down – no visual except for the immediate shoulder ahead
· reduced tendency to get lost i.e. Salmon Arm maneuvering at the end of a 1200k was challenging
· ability to start the ride in the daytime – early AM (6 AM) with Beauty Creek, Blue River and Cache Creek all possible destinations with minimal darkness – safer and more enjoyable for all
I would be willing to volunteer for this event. I would like to pre-ride it as much as 2-4 weeks prior to allow for any small changes.
I haven’t put an enormous amount of effort into this proposal – more like a couple hours. That being said, the route is very appealing to me. I think that it is a good mix of the possible while avoiding the more dangerous or the less appreciated.
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