The culprit

Nick's skillful driving averted disaster. The fender was found one-half mile down the road.

Do I need to say more?

Our luck with tires wouldn't win us anything at the casino

On the plus side, our time to change a tire has improved.

Our last meal on the road

We enjoyed the picnics but we were anxious to get home.

Tired tire truly tests team timbre

Loading up for the last leg of the trip

We need a pitstop at Starbucks. The picture is blurry because we were.

The middle of the night in Minot, ND

On the way home.

Look what Kori found

Even on our way home they couldn't stay away from a good bike.

Evidence of our long trip

We leave Canada with a pile of dead bodies.

The cool kids (and Will) eat out.

Jasper, Alberta

Mark is looking to upgrade

Mark thinks if he just gets a new bike he could catch Jeff.

Canadian wildlife

Along the Icefields Parkway

and in Jasper

Celebrating in Jasper

Doug, Kim, and Deirdre enjoy the celebration meal at the end of the ride

Sue, Deirdre, and Tadd celebrate in Jasper (they really did ride sometimes).

Bold Bikers tearing up the Icefields Parkway

Chris leads the pack

Jeff and Molly

Jeff and Molly in the lead congratulate each other for a great ride.

View from the Glacier View Inn

Look for the Bolder Options Van and trailer. The glacier is just to the left.

Good timers take a timeout

Some of the Bold Bikers didn't take the ride as seriously as they might have.

In memory of a friend

Carol Skinner dedicates day 5 of this ride into Jasper and up to the Miette Hot Springs to a friend and great man, Warren Rodning. Warren and I will be taking the challenge today biking up a steep mountain!

On the Icefields parkway near Athabasca Falls.

At the end of a long day

The hot springs were at the end of a 17KM (10.56 mi, or 55774 ft) of mostly steep uphill. The bikers earned their relaxation that day.

Jeff said of the ride, "That sucked".

Bold Bikers Update

We are approximately 110 miles from Banff waiting to take a hike on a glacier.

Internet access is not available for most of the next 2 days so updates will have to wait until Thursday night.

All are well and enjoying the ride. But not the 8 mile 8% grade uphill.

Special biking yoga

Early morning

Frost is on the pumpkin. Beginning day 2

Heading out of cell phone range. Updates will comes whenever.

The Lake Louise Chow down

We all made it. The blogger finished in the van. A fantastic effort was made by all.

Lunch

On the way to Lake Louise

The Bold Riders leaving Banff

Rebecca is in for a hard day

Getting ready for the first days ride

Everyone is anxious to get on the road. Where's my wheel? Where's my seat? Which seat is mine, I don't know what it looks like.

Minor problems, but we all got on the road.

The Banff Hostel

This was one of the best hostel accommodations we had. 4 to 6 people to a room (don't forget your ear plugs), common kitchen/dining . You prepare the food, you clean up.

Jackasaurus Rex

Our very own Jack fills time with his artwork. - we're getting desperate.

We have issues

Our Nick acts as pit crew as the rest watch and criticize. What fun.

Departing Regina for Calgary

As soon as we fix the flat on the bike trailer, the Bolder Bikers are
out of here. Nothing slows us down . . . Does anyone know where the
jack is?

Dinner in Regina

About 6 hrs. To Banff. All went well today.

Canadian border guard had a hard time believing our trip was a fundraiser. "You raise money for yourself?"

Bold bikers update

About 40 mi. South of CA border. Scenery, repetitive.

The Bold Bikers in Carrington, ND

The Carrington Parks Dept loaned us their Dodge Hemi - sweeeet.

Trouble haunts the Bolder Crew

20 minutes into the trip Mark shows advanced mechanical skills.

Kori and Joey ready to go

We're on our way

Nick, Maria, Mark, Kori, Joey, Jack are all loaded up and on the way to Banff.
Our friends Alex and Keiko from Capital Deals bike shop are with us in spirit.

Nick models the teams awsome vests

Looking good!

Warming up for the Banff to Jasper ride

Here is Will Roberts on a ride from the east side of Saint Paul to the Bolder Options office.

Banff minus 3 days

Sweeeeeet

Banff minus 4 days

Can you feel the excitement? Friday morning at 6 am we're off!

From August 21 to 30, 2009 , a small group of Bolder Options supporters will challenge themselves to go the distance for Bolder Options youth by biking the Icefields Parkway from Canada's Banff National Park to Jasper National Park. The Canadian Rockies National Parks are, for many cyclists, one of the best cycling routes in the world. The spectacular scenery found in the national parks of the Canadian Rockies is unprecedented in North America. The Bolder Options riders will have the opportunity to travel this high country on one of the greatest mountain roadways of the world ‐ The Columbia Icefields Parkway.

They will experience the unique challenge and inspiration of training for and participating in this amazing event, all while raising funds for Twin Cities youth. It's a true opportunity for tremendous personal accomplishment and a tangible contribution to Bolder Options.

The team will use this blog to keep our friends and supporters up to date on the ride. We will post updates as often as we can.

Here is a summary of the trip:

Friday August 21 - Those driving leave Mineapolis for he 19 hour drive to Calgary.

Saturday August 22 - Welcome dinner in Banff

Sunday August 23 - Ride Banff to Lake Louise: 60km (37.2 m) Through the beautiful Bow Valley!

Monday August 24 - Ride Lake Louise to Rampart Creek :90km (56m) Here is where you begin to bike along the famous Icefields Parkway; climb higher into the Rockies and to the head of Bow Lake.

Tuesday August 25 - Rampart Creek to Columbia Ice Field: 40km (25m) Follow the Bow and Mistaya Rivers and view incredible lakes, and then cross the N. Saskatchewan River before climbing to the Athabasca Glacier (the largest ice field south of Alaska).

Wednesday August 26 - Beauty Creek to Athabasca Falls: 70km (43m) Sunwapta River Valley is a natural corridor for tons of wildlife; coyotes, bear (grizzly & black), elk, mountain goats, wolves, and bighorn sheep. Take a quick hike to the Sunwapta Falls Athabasca Falls is one of the most powerful displays of the battle when water and rock meet head on.

Thursday August 27 - Last day of riding! Ride Athabasca Falls to Jasper: 32 km (20m) This route takes you through stands of pine and spruce with wonderful views of the Athabasca River Valley. Ride Celebration Dinner.

Friday August 28 - Off Day – Sites around Jasper

o Columbia Icefield

o Cruise on Maligne Lake

o Hike Whistlers Mountain

o Skyline trail hiking

o Relax at the Miette Hotsprings

o Hang out to look at the spectacular scenery & wildlife

Saturday August 29 - Drive back to Banff (~ 6 hours) Stop and see sights along the way. Completion Dinner

Sunday August 30 and Monday August 31 - Travel home.