Phoenix to Calgary

[phx690]

Im leaving in a few weeks on a ride from phoenix to calgary. I have most my trip planned out, crossing the Canadian border at Roosville. From Roosville on I was looking for a few suggestions. I will be ending my trip south of calgary at spruce meadows. If anyone has some good ideas on routes up there it would be apprciated. Also, what exactly do I need to have in hand when crossing the border on a bike?

[JDowns]

Hi Phx690,

The normal scenic route would be to head north on 93 up to Banff and Lake Louise and head east on 1 over to Calgary.

However, if you have some time there is some great riding in the Kootenays in late summer a little further west. Heading over to Creston and north on 3A is a great curvalicious road along Kootenay Lake to the ferry across the lake to 31 north to Kaslo where you can take the provincial backroad over to New Denver and hit the 6 north to Nakusp and the 23 north across the ferry and up to Revelstoke before heading east on the 1 through Glacier and Golden over to Banff and Calgary.

At least that's the way I would go.

Kindest regards,
John Downs

[phx690]

John,

Just looked over the second route on google earth, looks great to me. Are there many dirt mountain passes in the area? This is my first enduro bike so new to it, but an experienced rider.

[JDowns]

The roads I gave you are all paved. Mostly twisty two lane provincial backroads with not much traffic. Gas can be scarce in the Kootenays so make sure to fill up in the small towns along the way. Sparsely populated area with lots of natural beauty. Backcountry BC in the late summer is the schizzle.

Should be fun.

Best,
John Downs