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.
2021 event cancelled
Due to COVID-19 concerns and construction closures in the parks, we are unfortunately not holding the GT this year.
We really hope we can hold the ride again in 2022! Mark your calendar for the fourth weekend in May 2022 – Friday to Sunday.
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: We know you'll be hungry! There are food stops every 30-40 km along the route. Dinners and breakfasts are provided during the tour. To quench your thirst, dinner venues include bars serving beer and wine.
- Camping: Bring your tent and sleeping bag! The tour provides camping sites in Radium and Golden. If you prefer to stay in a hotel or a motel, please make your own arrangements.
- 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. A shuttle will be available in Radium for those who would like to soak in the hot springs before 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.
- Drafting (riding in a close single file) is not recommended. Most accidents 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.
- Support vehicles will monitor for riders who need help with serious problems -- we discourage riders from having a personal support vehicle as it causes congestion in the lunch/snack stops and along the road.
- First aid kits will be available in most support vehicles. Emergency medical assistance can be summoned via radio from any support vehicle. Please note that the volunteer first aiders cannot dispense medication. Please bring your own medication.
Registration
The registration fee includes food, transportation of your luggage and camping sites at Golden and Radium. If you choose to stay in a hotel or motel you are responsible for the additional costs. Fees and registration information for 2022 will be published in late 2021 when registration opens.
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.
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 in January or February, and check you have all the tools and supplies you will need (e.g., spare tubes, C02 cartridges, 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
- Check out the EVCC event calendar for Spring training rides starting in late March or early April
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