Bob on BAC Canadian Rockies 2007

View from Going to the Sun Highway

We got up early this morning because we knew that we would have to be at the top of Logan Pass by 11:00 when the road closed for bicyclists. The distance was not very far, but we knew that we would be climbing slowly and taking lots of pictures. Most of us decided to have the buffet breakfast in the lodge. It was good and it gave us a lot of fuel for the day's ride. It was here that we learned to ask if orange juice is extra.

I was the last to leave the lodge just after 7:30. It was cool and clear. I wore arm warmers and a light jacket. The route followed the lake and then a slight uphill for about 10 miles. Then the real climb - Going to the Sun - began at 10 miles. The road is narrow with a little traffic. The climb of 11.5 miles is a steady 6%. The road is an engineering marvel cut on the side of the mountains. The scenery is spectacular - sheer cliffs on the upper and lower sides of the road. There are waterfalls, a tunnel and a weeping wall where we saw a cyclist taking a shower on the side of the road. I stopped several times for pictures and nature calls. I reached the top at 10:00, checked in with Jean Struthers in the van and walked around the visitors' area. There are hikes up from the visitors' area. I didn't take the longer hike because I was wearing cycling sandals and didn't want to get my socks wet - not good for the long downhill.

I started the downhill at about 11. There are no bicycling restrictions on this side of the pass. The pavement was pretty decent but I couldn't get up a lot of speed because of the corners and the traffic. I got really hungry and forced myself into St Mary at about 40 miles. I ate at the Park Cafe and had a really good veggie sandwich and a yummy razzleberry pie with ice cream. Maryann and Dusty came in as I was leaving. Our waitress was a young girl from Siberia who was obviously learning practical English in her summer job. She was very polite and smiled a lot but you could see her mentally translating our orders. During the trip, we saw many young foreigners who were doing summer seasonal work at the hotels, restaurants and shops.

View from Our Room

The final 20 miles of the ride was a slog into Many Glaciers. We were fighting headwinds most of the way on moderate rollers. On the way in, I noticed that my GPS mount was breaking in one spot, so I bought some electrical tape at the hotel and taped it firmly to my handlebars. Our room at the Many Glacier Hotel was large and had a balcony overlooking the lake. Rooms have not been updated much since they were built. The bathroom had a old-fashioned stand-alone tub with a shower add-on. The sink was in the main room and had separate faucets for cold and hot water. The views of the lake surrounded by the mountains from our window and balcony were fantastic!

I had a pint of Moose Drool at the pub before Dick arrived. I had been told by my friend Jim Duncan that I had to try this Montana favorite. It was pretty good. I had another one at dinner when some of us decided to eat in the pub. I had a hamburger tonight. Bed again at 10:00. This would become the routine.

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