Author Topic: Camping in Banff after flying in for GDMBR  (Read 2680 times)

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Offline dritgher

Camping in Banff after flying in for GDMBR
« on: July 19, 2024, 04:18:57 pm »
Hello all.  I’m starting the Great Divide next week and beginning to doubt the feasibility of my sleeping arrangement for day 1.

After landing in Calgary, taking a shuttle to Banff, buying bear spray and gas canisters, I was planning on getting on the route at around 6 PM and then camping at Spray West hiker biker campsite. Is that doing too much on the first day? Will there even be space available?  Any recommendations for alternative plans would also be appreciated. Thanks for reading.

Offline John Nettles

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Re: Camping in Banff after flying in for GDMBR
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2024, 05:12:11 pm »
First, welcome to the ACA Forums!

I personally think you are taking a pretty big risk.  However, if you arrive early enough, can assemble your bike and gear quick enough, etc., etc. then you might be able to do it.  You don't give enough info to help provide a reasonable answer.  For instance, when does the plane arrive, what time is shuttle, etc. 

Again, personally, I would (and do) take it easy for the first couple of days as travel plans go awry (like today's worldwide meltdown), the bike may not make it on time, etc., my body is not adjusted to the sudden insult have lugging extra gear around, etc. If I did make all the connections and was able to depart, would I risk not making it before sunset. 
To me, I prefer to be conservative on my time management because I can always slow up but it is much harder to make up time/miles so I always plan on half days for the first few days as sort of a buffer.  Once on the ride, I can always speed up if I want and then have extra time in my back pocket.

Finally, Banff is a pretty cool town.  It would be a shame to just blow through it.

If it is not too late, I would try either stay in a hotel near the Calgary Airport (or wherever the shuttle picks up) or seeing if I could get a campground in Banff and take off the next day after a decent night's sleep.
Whatever you decide, I wish you a wonderful tour!

Tailwinds, John


Offline dritgher

Re: Camping in Banff after flying in for GDMBR
« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2024, 05:38:59 pm »
Thanks for the reply and the reasonable advice.

Hopefully if everything goes as planned, I’ll be able to take a 2 PM shuttle and get to Banff at 4, leaving me possibly enough time to gather last minute supplies and ride around 20 miles to a campground before sunset.

 Might just take it easy in Banff as you suggested at a campsite nearby if available.

Offline John Nelson

Re: Camping in Banff after flying in for GDMBR
« Reply #3 on: July 19, 2024, 08:21:31 pm »
My usual MO is to fly, assemble the bike in the airport, and ride to my first camp, all in the same day. Of course, as John Nettles points out, that entails various risks. But a lot of things on a bike tour involve risk. We adapt. Get the earliest flight you can and hope there are no flight delays. And always have a plan B.

Offline dritgher

Re: Camping in Banff after flying in for GDMBR
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2024, 02:39:36 pm »
If the trail from Banff isn’t too taxing, I’m leading on biking right away. Thanks for the reply.

Offline Westinghouse

Re: Camping in Banff after flying in for GDMBR
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2024, 03:41:17 am »
It is possible to do. I did it several times that way. Out of the jet. Assemble bike in airport. Out the door. Down the road a long way before bed time.

Offline dritgher

Re: Camping in Banff after flying in for GDMBR
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2024, 08:13:54 pm »
Nice!

Feel like it’d be refreshing to get on a bike and get on with it after a lot of sitting in airplanes and a bus.