Day 1, Rain, Rain, Rain, and a Flat Tire

Dante, Kaden, and I left Banff after a breakfast at Chili's. I would have preferred a non-chain, local restaurant but it was one of the earliest places to open and was right next to our hotel.

It was a very cloudy but dry start. It didn't stay that way though. It started raining about an hour into our ride and didn't let up all day. The gorgeous scenery made up for it though.

It was an intentionally short day, which we ended at Spray Lakes West Campground. Some pictures and video appear below.

Crossing one of the bridges in Banff:



At the end of a parking lot near the Banff Fairmont, where the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route leaves town:


About 20 minutes into our ride we got our first, and hopefully only, flat. I wasn't paying attention and rolled over a 3 inch or so rock, causing a pinch flat. Of the 6 wheels we could get a flat on my rear wheel is the last one I would want. My newest bike has belt drive instead of a chain and I still don't have the rear wheel reinstallation process down very well.


Despite the delay, and the rain, the boys where all smiles the entire time. Dante took what seemed like 100 pictures along the way, probably a lot better than what I have posted here.


Enjoying the ride along a river:






I am writing this entry a couple of days after the fact since we didn't have cell service for a while. The actual date was July 14.


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