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Waterton-Glacier Tour
Introduction
This was a one week solo self-contained camping tour. I camped in public campgrounds and cooked most of my own meals. I cycled through Northwestern Montana, Southeastern British Columbia and Southwestern Alberta. I crossed the Continental Divide at Crowsnest Pass (4,434 feet) and again at Logan Pass (6,680 feet). I scheduled the trip for the week of Labor Day to avoid the bicycling restrictions on Going to the Sun Highway in Glacier National Park. Due to the time of year and the climate, I carried more clothing and gear than usual. I estimated the weight of my combined rig (bike and gear) at well over 100 pounds. The first half of 1999 had been a been very difficult for me. On New Year's Eve, I was laid off. About a month later, I took a management position with a small start-up company. This turned out to be an extremely demanding position. I found myself working 60 plus hours a week in a job that I didn't particularly enjoy. As a result, I was unable to train on weekdays. I had less than half my usual mileage for the year. My fitness suffered. After a few months, I began questioning my career direction and priorities. During this period, I built two web sites. I built a site for the Major Taylor Humanitarian Association, a very worthwhile non-profit organization in Worcester, Massachusetts. I also built a web site for my employer at the time. I really enjoyed these projects in addition to my work on this site. I began considering a full-time career in web design. My friend, Lynne Tolman, alerted me to an opening at the Online Department of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, a local newspaper. Less than two weeks before the my departure, I accepted an offer for the job. My starting date was the day after my return. I found myself in leaving for another tour and returning to a brand new job. Only this time, I was starting a new career in web design. The combined effect, of my heavy rig, lack of fitness, large elevation changes and headwinds, made this my most physically challenging tour to date. Regardless, I had a fantastic time and came home with many special memories to share with you.
I flew from Boston to Kalispell, Montana on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. I was extremely anxious waiting for my big silver suitcase to come off the baggage carousel. I had major trust issues with the baggage apes handling my beloved bike. I finally got my bike and located ground transportation to the Blue and White Motel in Kalispell, where I had reservations.
After the ride, I packed up all my gear except for the bike clothes I planned to wear the following morning. Finally, it may be difficult for you to read an entire tour report in one sitting. Therefore, I use a cookie** to help your browser remember the last page you have read on my site. When you return to my site, go directly to my home page. There you will find a link back to the last page you have read so you can resume reading where you left off. Click here to try this feature now. You should bookmark (add to favorites in AOL and Microsoft browsers) my home page for future reference. Read about my adventure on the following pages: **A "cookie" is a small piece of data stored on your computer. Its only function is a navigational aid for you. I do not use it to track your surfing habits.
Waterton-Glacier Tour Contents
 Introduction Day 1 Kalispell, Montana to Dickey Lake, MontanaDay 2 Dickey Lake, Montana to Fernie, British ColumbiaDay 3 Fernie, British Columbia to Pincher Creek, AlbertaDay 4 Pincher Creek, Alberta to Waterton Lakes National ParkDay 5 Waterton Lakes National Park to Glacier National ParkDay 6 Going to the Sun Highway Glacier National ParkDay 7 Glacier National Park to Kalispell, Montana |
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