Rest was essential after the grueling ride yesterday in wind, rain and low temperatures. Today most riders went to the nearby town of Banff, using the shuttle to shop for necessities and playing tourist downtown. A lovely town it is, surrounded by Banff National Park, the first of Canada's national parks. Banff is touted to be Canada's premiere tourist destination. A store manager told us that Banff is the only town in Canada, as well as in the world, that exists within a national park, and that before it became an independent entity, Banff was part of the national park system. Interestingly, the same manager told us that they are having trouble hiring employees, even at $20/hr. Store owners are responsible for arranging clean, affordable housing for their employees. It is not exactly clear to me what that means. There is a housing shortage in Banff, so many employees live 15 miles away in the bedroom community of Canmore, Alberta, and commute daily. Also according to the store manager, a town law forbids an individual's owning a second or vacation home in Banff, because of the housing shortage. That law does not apply to remainder of Alberta. Some photos of charming Banff follow.
Downtown Banff
St Paul's Presbyterian Church
Downtown Banff crowds right up to the mountainside.
The ski area in Banff as seen from town. There are three ski areas close to town, making it a skier's mecca.
It is raining now, and the forecast predicts it will continue through dinner. We have a five minute walk to the truck to get dinner, because the truck parking is separated from rider camping, and that is very unpleasant in the rain, not to mention inconvenient as well.
Unfortunately, 2 cyclists out of our remaining crew of 19 have tested positive for COVID. They are away from the rest of the group, and they may be able to rejoin later. We hope for the best.
Big day tomorrow: 109 miles, about 3000+ ascent. Come back for the full story on Day 15. 🍁
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