Cycling the Icefields Parkway windows to insulate you from the sounds and smells of your surroundings. All of your senses are engaged,” says Johnson. “Not only that, but if you see something interesting along the way, you can simply stop and jump off the bike for a while, have a rest, and take in the view for as long as you like. It’s an incredible journey.” Not surprisingly, during the multi-day tours (typically three or four days), they witness countless cars and buses rushing by, jockeying for position at the crowded stops, only to do it all over again a few kilometers down the road. “For us, time is one of the biggest benefits. Motorists typically complete the parkway in three to five hours and barely do it justice. But instead of quickly gulping it down in a few quick bites, we savour it. And it’s a feast cyclists will never forget. Even the unpredictable and sometimes challenging mountain weather plays a part in the experience, reminding us just how powerful nature’s systems are and the value of letting go and taking things as they come.” Photo Courtesy of Mountain Madness Tours
What’s better than driving the Icefields Parkway, you may ask? According to Ben Johnson, owner of Mountain Madness Tours, that’s a no-brainer. Biking it. Meandering through some of the most majestic mountain scenery on the planet, the Icefields Parkway hardly needs an introduction. With dozens of legendary stops along the 230 km route – including Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, Sunwapta Falls, the Columbia Icefield, and many more – thousands of people come from all over the world each and every year to drive this awe-inspiring route between Jasper and Lake Louise. But the key word there is drive. Biking it affords an entirely different experience that flies under the radar for most visitors. But Ben Johnson, who has been guiding adventure-seeking cyclists along this route for the past ten years, isn’t shy about extolling the virtues of hopping on a sleek road bike, joining some fellow riders, and embarking on an adventure that’s truly bucket-list worthy. “Due to the slower pace of travel, you can really take it all in. There’s no roof to get in the way of the mountain peaks, no 30 | Enter Our Photo Contests
Photo Courtesy of Mountain Madness Tours
