A train and bike journey across Western Canada

April 30, 2008 | Tips from Travellers > Vancouver, Trains

I've travelled by bike and train in Thailand, New Zealand and the U.S.; but it wasn't until a couple of tour-ready folding bikes were put into my hands that I even considered doing it at here in B.C.

Accordingly, I devised a "gonzo" three-week bike and train journey across western Canada and presented an itinerary to my friend Michelle: we would board the "Whistler Mountaineer" from Vancouver to Whistler, pedal around Whistler valley for a couple of days, then board Rocky Mountaineer's "Fraser Discovery Route" to head north and east to Jasper, Alberta via Quesnel. After a few days in Jasper, we could swap trains and step aboard VIA Rail's "Canadian" and head east to Saskatoon (in Saskatchewan), then Winnipeg (Manitoba). We'd spent a couple of days cycling around in each city and then take VIA Rail back to Jasper.

I warned her that in Jasper we'd go hardcore: we would clip panniers onto the Dahons and road-test the bikes on the 300-kilometer stretch of mountainous highway between Jasper to Banff. We'd leave our sleeping bags at home and stay at yet-to-be-confirmed Hostelling International wildernous cabins along the way. Once in Banff we'd get back on track and complete the rail circle almost a month later by climbing on Rocky Mountaineer's "Kicking Horse Route" to return to Vancouver via Kamloops.

What happened? I wrote 35 short stories en route and if f you're interested in a trip like this, I hope the stories provide you with some useful information!

Posted by Mitey Miss, Vancouver at 02:24 PM

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