Been there - going back in 10 days

Took El Mariachi for a two day mountain dance on the weekend.   Left our house in Canmore at 6:15am on Friday, rode to Banff and that is where I picked up the Great Divide route.  From Banff, the plan was to follow the Divide route to Elkford, BC - 176 km south.  It was raining as I left Canmore and pretty much rained all day - even though the optimistic me kept thinking it would clear up.  It was about 8 hours from Banff to the top of Elk pass and that was a bit of a sufferfest with the rain and cold temps.   With all of the rain, trails get softer and it just sucks the energy out of each pedal stroke.

Here is a picture of the bike with all the gear loaded up on top of Elk pass (in the rain).

From Elk Pass it's about 76km to Elkford.   With a few stops to warm up and eat, I made it into Elkford around 8:30pm in heavy rain and cold temps - a total of 14 hours on the bike.  Instead of a potentially deadly cold bivy, I pulled out "Mr. Credit Card" and checked into the only real hotel in Elkford.

I was greeted by the nicest man who happened to playing saxophone when I arrived.  His name is Jay and he looks and acts like Mr. Miyagi from the Karate Kid movies.  After a comical hose down in the parking lot - courtesy of Jay, I washed off my bike and gear before storing it in the hotel office overnight.

Saturday morning was better for weather and after a "Hungry Man" breakfast at the Race Trac Cafe, I retraced my route to Canmore.  On the way back into town, I was thinking - "Been there, get to do it again".  Pretty stoked about that!

If you are interested in what's on the bike for gear, here is my Gear List.
Cockpit bag - food, sun glasses, reading glasses, camera
Handlebars - bike computer, GPS, Light
Aero Bars - I have the route descriptions in a water proof E-Case - flips out of the way
Under Handlebars - Waterproof bed roll holding ThermoRest, Bivy Sac and Sleeping bag
Frame Bag - 3 L bladder with water, repair kit, 2 tubes, lube, bug repellant, passport, wallet and some food
Gas Tank (under the seat) - extra set of cycling clothes, first aid kit, personal kit, and a windbreaker.
Deuter Race Exp Air backpack (not in the picture) - 3 L water bladder, down vest in waterproof stuff sack, food, sunscreen, chamois cream, bear spray, empty water bottle and spare batteries.

I was wearing rain coat, rain pants, kneekers, merino wool hat, helmet and gore tex socks. If it warms up, this gear goes into the Gas Tank.  That's it for gear.