Cycling the Legacy Trail and to Johnston Canyon in Banff

Posted byAbPosted inADHD, adoption, Banff, FASD, outdoors, Parenting, summer, travelTags:, , , , , , ,

A 25 km bike ride in Western Canada provided an unforgettable scenic experience for my family.

On the fourth day of our week-long visit to Banff in Alberta, I planned a full-day outing around T’s love for biking; it was just last summer that our 9-year-old took off his training wheels.

There are numerous bike rental shops in town and we rented ours from Banff Cycle and Sports.

There are more than 190 km of biking trails in Banff – some trails are within town, some take you out far out, and all are scenic and lovely.

Based on recommendations, we decided to cycle the 25 km to Johnston Falls, which includes part of the Legacy Trail, along the way.

Boy, it did not disappoint with the breathtaking views all along the way!

The trail was well paved and maintained and most of the trail was exclusive to cyclists.

In addition to the scenery, we also spotted wildlife, including moose and deer!

The hubby catching up after pausing to look at a moose spotted along our ride!

We took short breaks to hydrate and take in the gorgeous lookouts.

Funnily, of all the photo breaks, this under bridge below was the one T got most excited about!

The hubby and I are not avid cyclists – nor do we have T’s energy – so we underestimated how hard 25 km would be, especially when you factored in the heat, sun and the many hills!

By the time we got to this Welcome point below, we still had 17 km to go! Our legs were starting to feel sore – and we still had to bike back after! – but T kept wanting to go and explore.

We are thankful we went against our better judgment, because the journey did not disappoint.

Look at these magnificent views.

Look at our T go – responsibly and safely sharing the road with cars and motorcyclists.

The last 5 km were trying. Our legs were jello and we walked the bikes up the hills.

When we arrived at Johnston Canyon, we were ecstatic to learn the local bus had a stop there that took people back to town and also had a bike rack. Crisis averted! 😂

So we rewarded ourselves with lunch at the local cafe then explored the beautiful canyon.

When I look back at this trip one day, this bike excursion will be one of the highlights.

I will remember how T kept us going through the ups and downs and exhaustion, much like how he is the reason I plow through life’s ups and downs.

I will treasure the sweaty contentment on his face throughout the bike ride and his enthusiasm as he cycled through this heavenly trail.

I will remember how he curled up on his seat on the bus ride home, passed out from exhaustion, then adjusted himself so his head rested on my lap.

When we got home to our hotel, I noticed T was clingy to me and being extra helpful.

When I said I was taking a shower, he turned on the water for me. Then he brought the toiletries. Then he said he tidied up my bed.

This was his way of saying thanks.

A week later, when we were a few days home from the trip, I asked T what his favourite moment at Banff was.

I expected him to say it was the bike trip.

He said, “Spending time with you.”

Explore our Banff trip

46 thoughts on “Cycling the Legacy Trail and to Johnston Canyon in Banff”

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  5. Oh my gosh…. that last line!!!!! Too precious!
    And, wow, I was feeling your pain and exhaustion and jelly legs. Ooof. Thank goodness for the fantastic views, but more so for the bus–godsend!
    Glad you all had such a nice time, in the end, anyway. 🙂

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    1. Thanks Betsy. We underestimated how grueling the bike ride was. But it ended up being so worth it for the views and the memories. 💕🙏

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  6. WOW! Absolutely amazing Ab, those views were stunning. T has turned out to be quite a fine young man. I know you have issues with him occasionally but it’s moments like the hotel that shows you what a good job you two are doing raising him!!!

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    1. Thanks Diane. It was an amazing bike ride. I miss it already.

      He is growing up to be wonderful. Has his moments, many of them, but we will try to focus on the big picture and take it one day at a time. He is a pure kind soul at the core and that’s all that matters!

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    1. Thanks Margie! 💕 They’ll be anchors for me too in my grayer days. 🙏 In many ways, he is dysmature. And in many ways, he is, as you said, also an old soul. I feel thankful for that!

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  10. What a beautiful and memorable trip, Ab! As others have mentioned, T’s comment about his favorite part being spending time with you melted my heart. What a sweet and thoughtful young man you’re raising. 💕

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    1. Thanks Erin. It was a memorable one and yes, T’s comment was lovely.

      I look forward to hearing more about your travels and to exploring that part of the world with T one day!

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  11. This looks like a super scenic cycling route. It’s kind of nice how much of the trail is just for cyclists. Glad you were able to rest and refuel at the cafe before exploring Johnston Canyon (and that you could take the bus back)! I couldn’t help but smile at T’s response to what his favourite moment at Banff was. That’s so sweet! And all the more reason to keep going on more family excursions. Travelling is a great way to spend time together.

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    1. Thanks Linda. The bike ride was so amazing. I wish we could do more of the trails – maybe another time!

      I do hope to go back west one day and explore more of that part of Canada, including Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler and Jasper. So many places, so little time and money. 😂

      When is your next trip coming up?

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      1. There just never seems to be enough time. But hey, it means you have a great reason to return to the Canadian Rockies someday. Sounds like you already have some ideas for next summer!

        We’ll be heading to Nova Scotia next month. But I think we’re going to try to squeeze in an overnight stay at the cabin over the Civic Holiday long weekend.

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      2. Have fun at Nova Scotia and the cabin. We’ll be heading out East that same time too, to New Brunswick. Enjoy! 🙂

        I’m hoping to convince my spouse to do Vancouver next summer but he wants to do Disney, haha, so fingers crossed. 🙏

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      3. Enjoy your time out east as well! Hopefully we won’t get any crazy weather. I’m with you, between the two options, I would totally pick Vancouver. You have a full year to convince him! You can do it!

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  12. I’m with Vickie all the way. Tears in my eyes…so, so good. That’s the only thing we really need – time with those we love. (Except for a bus with a bike rack, TBH…oh my!) Hugs and love to all! 🥰

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    1. Thanks Vicki (with no e 😆)! It was a lovely sweet comment that touched my heart. He has those moments and I treasure them dearly.

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    1. Thanks Vickie! He can say quite rude things to me when he’s at his most disregulated but it’s the things said at his purest moments that just tug at you. 💕🙏

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  14. Love love all the beautiful shots! How nice it is to have the roads relatively free of cars, which makes it a lot safer to cyclists. I think I can relate to T’s excitement for that particular spot. When I was little, places like that really excited me for some reason. I think they made me feel like I was in some fantasy, mysterious land. Haha, it’s nice that the local buses have a bike rack!

    OMG, I thought everything was already perfect, but that closing statement of what T said to you! What a sweet person he really is, despite everything.

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    1. Thanks Bama! I know and see him at his purest and the opposite, so I agree with you that his response to my question was heartwarming. 🙏

      I’m not sure how familiar you are with Western Canada, but it was such a treat for us to explore and I want to go back again one day. Was better than we expected! And I agree, it felt like a fantasy land for sure, like out of Lord of the Rings.

      And I agree about the bike racks. I still don’t know what we would’ve done if we had to bike back!

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      2. He’s currently obsessed with Titanic. Hopefully he gets into sci fi and fantasy one day. That’ll be fun to have that shared interest! 🙏

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    1. Thanks Deb. It’s funny you say that as he drove me absolutely crazy this morning getting him ready and out the door. Then I took a deep breath and logged on WordPress and remembered how he is at his calm and purest best. Gotta hang onto those heartmelting moments! 🙏

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      1. 🙂 Another thing to also remember Ab is that it’s not just kids who have challenges in these areas… I’ve encountered so many “adults” that have those mercurial tendencies and are very unpredictable!

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      2. Thanks for the kind reminder, Deb. I can be so hard on our situation sometimes and it’s a helpful reminder we’re not alone! 🙏

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  17. Ah, T with the amazing energy, perspective, and sweetness for the win!!

    I love, “I will remember how T kept us going through the ups and downs and exhaustion, much like how he is the reason I plow through life’s ups and downs.”

    It’s so fun as our kids continue to grow and become our motivators and champions. So good! But I love you were able to take the bus back. Thank goodness!

    And those pictures are absolutely breathtaking! Thanks for taking us along for the ride!

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    1. Thanks Wynne. 🙏 Our kids really do provide the biggest source of motivation to get through life, to savour the joy and to soldier on through the hard moments.

      I know you can relate, poppy carpets and all! Hope the rest of your week is better. It’s a hot yet rainy one over here for us!

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    1. Thank you Jane! In a few weeks, it’ll be on the opposite side of Canada to visit his grandparents. Summers are the best. 🙏

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