THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE

Three-day classic ride through Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho National Parks

The Golden Triangle (GT) is a three-day bike tour in the beautiful mountainous terrain of Banff, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks. Starting at Castle Junction in Banff, AB, the ride takes you in a great loop through Radium Hot Springs, B.C., Golden, B.C, and back to Castle Junction. You’ll cover 320 km and climb over 3,200 m cumulative elevation gain – but it’s not an endurance contest or a race. The GT is purely a recreational and social event with some of the most spectacular scenery in Canada. 

2022 Golden Triangle:  Updated March 8, 2022

To honor the challenge of the GT ride we have developed a pilot GT for 2022 for a small number of riders (50) that provides group transportation to and from Calgary, minimizes food handling by volunteers and  provides hot springs and Kicking Horse construction shuttles.

Please read all information carefully before registering and direct any questions to: gtreg@elbowvalleycc.org

Registration for this event will open Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 8:00 PM MST.

Link to event is HERE.

During highway construction on the TransCanada Highway east of Golden, Parks Canada has stated that they will not issue the EVCC special event permits to hold the traditional large Golden Triangle tours for at least the next couple of years, if ever. However, we are currently working with Parks and service providers to hold one or more smaller (30 - 50) person GTs this season, starting in May. The highway construction creates logistical challenges requiring that riders may need to be shuttled over the construction and that we schedule around Highway 1 construction closures which divert vehicle traffic through Radium.

Because we are unable to operate under a permit, we are also not allowed parking at our traditional spot at Castle Junction and so we have procured the services of a coach/bus to take us to the mountains and to escort the riders throughout the trip. This will give us the flexibility to shuttle riders if necessary.

At this time, the construction team does not foresee any closures except possible thirty minute delays.  

Cycling Route

Day 1: Castle Junction, AB, to Radium Hot Springs, B.C. – 106 km, 990 m elevation

Day 2: Radium Hot Springs, B.C., to Golden, B.C. – 103 km, 780 m elevation

Day 3: Golden, B.C., to Castle Junction, AB – 111 km, 1,560 m elevation

Logistics

Food:  While planning this year’s GT we are sensitive to the need to minimize risk in food handling and will only provide lunch and snacks. Lunches will be prepared by commercial kitchens and snacks will be prepackaged. 

Accommodation:  To simplify luggage loading, breakfast and if necessary, prep for the construction shuttle, we are asking participants to stay at the hotels at which we’ve block booked rooms.  Details including reservation codes are in the registration confirmation email.

Luggage and shuttles: Don’t worry, we’ll carry your luggage for you – but please pack light. You will not have access to your luggage during the day, so please carry on your bike what you need for the ride. In Radium the charter coach will be available to shuttle those who would like to soak in the hot springs before and after dinner on the first night.

More logistical details will be provided in your registration package.

Safety

Safety is a primary concern on this tour. We expect all participants to ride safely and cooperatively, showing courtesy to traffic and other visitors in the parks.

• Helmets are mandatory.

• Brightly coloured clothing is recommended to increase your visibility.

• Tools and repairs should be self-sufficient. All riders are expected to bring the tools and know-how to fix a flat tire or make minor bike adjustments/repairs. For packing bikes, riders should carry tools to take off pedals and turn handlebars.

• Drafting (riding in a close single file) is not recommended. Most injuries resulting from falls in the past have been caused by inattentive drafting.

• Weather in the mountains at this time of year can be highly unpredictable. You are likely to experience a mix of sunny, warm, cold, wet, and sometimes snowy conditions. It is critical that you carry appropriate clothing for these conditions.

• A sweep vehicle with a bike rack will monitor for riders who need help with serious problems -- we discourage riders from having a personal support vehicle.

• First aid kits will be available in the food and sweep vehicles. Please note that the volunteers cannot dispense medication. Please bring your own medication.

Registration Fee Includes ($247.00)

• Charter Coach transportation to and from Calgary (COP)
• Bicycle transfers to and from Calgary (COP)
• Luggage transfers 
• Snacks and lunches for 3 days
• Shuttle to Radium Hotsprings on day 1
• Shuttle for riders and bikes past Kickinghorse Canyon highway construction on day 3
• Parks group passes

Not Included

• Hotels (group rate but riders have to book their own using our codes)
• Breakfasts and suppers 
• Parking COP for 3 days (After the GT, COP will invoice EVCC $20 for each vehicle parked during the GT)
• Riders younger than age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Only one rider under age 18 per parent or legal guardian will be allowed
• This tour is only open to members. Your membership fee is in addition to the event registration.  Note: Please purchase your membership ahead of time to leave time for membership processing.

Getting GT-ready!

This is a challenging ride early in the season – to ensure you enjoy it fully, make time for good preparation. Recommendations from past participants:

• Beat the rush – take your bike for a full Spring tune-up as soon as possible, and check you have all the tools and supplies you will need (e.g., spare tubes, pump (or C02 carts), lube, etc.)

• Start training indoors or outdoors at least 8 weeks before the event

• Training should include a build-up of distance and hill climbing – do at least one 100+ km ride with 500+ m elevation gain before the event

• Practice riding in “bad” weather and test that you have the right clothing for it – you are likely to experience cold, wet conditions at some point on the GT old adage; “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear.”

• Check out the EVCC event calendar for Spring training rides starting in late March or early April