Have you had one of those workouts or days where you cheeks hurt from smiling and you don’t want it to end? That was our bike ride on Sunday.
The forecast wasn’t great for home or Jasper. I knew I wanted to ride 180km if we stayed in Edmonton or have a fun ride if we went to Jasper. Jasper wins every time.
It was only +2 at the start of our ride. Not very warm for my poor fingers! But the views more than made up for the cold!
After a ride into town and a quick stop at our favourite bakery (Bear’s Paw) for some fuel, we were on our way.
The sun was shining. Wildlife was out in full force. The lakes were a glorious aquamarine colour. And we got to ride on a newly paved road that was closed to vehicles.
It was seriously cyclist heaven! The road was 14km uphill, which was an amazing workout for me.
Kelly would ride ahead a bit and then come back to me. At one point, he said he could see my smile from so far away.
We loved every minute of it.
On the way back down we ran into a bear and cub! They were off to the side and scuttled up a tree; it was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. The cub’s face literally looked like a teddy bear!
It was an absolutely incredible day that solidified my love of cycling and made me realize how lucky we are to be healthy enough to enjoy the outdoors that way, together.
And my cheeks most definitely hurt by the end!
Tell me about your most recent memorable workout or day!
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What stunning scenery! You are truly an inspirational athlete- so fit!!
Happy birthday, Emma!
Have you been to the Rockies? When you’re back in Canada, you should visit!
I went once, 10 years ago, when I was 12 – it was SO beautiful and I want to go back!!!
I wish I had those views in my backyard – thanks for sharing the amazing pictures. I miss the mountains!
Glad you enjoyed the photos!
It looks so pretty!
It was such a picturesque day!
This is why I lovvve your blog- the pictures, the workouts and the general love for exercise and the outdoors. I always get so inspired after reading. Cheeks hurting from smiling is the best thing ever 🙂
Thanks so much, Charlotte!
You have the BEST place to work out. i’d prob become a biker if I lived there!!
It would be hard not to love biking there! It’s a bit of a hike (3+ hours drive) but so worth it!
Wow, I bet the bear cub was adorable! What a neat experience and the views look absolutely incredible.
The cub was insanely cute!
Where did you guys decide to go for your honeymoon?
What amazing scenery for your ride. And to have a road that is closed to vehicles is a dream! So glad you had such an awesome ride. I’m hoping my marathon this Sunday will be filled with smiles like your ride was!
Good luck this weekend, Beth! I bet the views during it will be pretty amazing, too!
I NEED to come stay with you guys OH my gosh these views!! You live in such an amazingly beautiful area! I love days like this, being outside and just loving life!! Stopping for fuel is always fun too!!
We should meet up in the Rockies one day! Your outside photos were awesome, too!
Riding on a closed road – awesome!
I’ve never rode my bike on a closed road other than during races (and most of the time those even have some traffic)! It was incredible.
Beautiful! Lucky you to have such amazing scenery for a ride.
It makes the ride go by a lot quicker!
Wow, sounds like a great place for a ride – and how cool that you were able to see that bear and cub! You weren’t nervous at all?
Oh- my legs were most definitely shaking when we saw them!
That looks like an amazing ride!
The road had tons of gorgeous switchbacks, too!
wow, the views look absolutely amazing! 🙂
They were so great! I wished I had a nice camera with me to capture the beauty!
Gorgeous views!!
Thanks, Lindsey! When the road opens to traffic, I’d love to take the dog up there for a hike!
What a beautiful ride! So glad you enjoyed it! A couple of times I’ve done a one-way long run through four coastal cities in San Diego back to my home (18-21 miles) and I’ve loved those runs! It’s so fun to run really far among beautiful scenery and feel like you are actually traveling somewhere.
Those runs sound incredible. Give me the ocean or the mountains and I’m happy!
You’re right- it’s so nice to feel like you’re actually going somewhere.
OK, your pictures have bumped Jasper up on my travel list! Now I just need to find some babysitters for the girls so my husband and I can escape for some heavenly hiking and cycling!
Yes! I would love for you two to experience jasper!
Looks gorgeous!! No wonder why you are still smiling!! 🙂 I am so glad you guys can finally get outside and ride!! So much better than the trainer!!
SO much better than the trainer!
What amazing views, you lucky thing!
I just read a UK trail running magazine…I have the itch to go there and run some trails now! I wonder if some of the ones they talked about are where you guys go?
Ughhh.. Bring me with you?! I need a ride like this. It is absolutely gorgeous. My last great workouts were in the pool. I love to swim and feel my body move effortlessly through the water. Keep up the great rides!
That’s awesome you love swimming so much! You’re right- it is a good feeling to move effortlessly through the water.
That is a memorable ride! I can’t believe how chilly it still is by you. I tried to get in a good ride yesterday but instead ended up with a nail in my back tire. I am looking forward to these weekend’s Bike the Drive on Lake Shore Drive. It’s so much fun!
Brutal about the nail. Sounds the a fun ride this weekend- hope you take lots of photos!
It’s been pretty warm here, but in the mountains in the morning it is freezing!!
Love the pics and love your awesome ride!!! Thanks for sharing, lucky lady!
Thanks, crystal! How are you feeling lately?!
Such an exhilarating place to ride! You are so lucky to have Jasper on your doorstep!
We are so lucky! We really need to try to take advantage of it more!
STUNNING!! I can see why you enjoyed that so much. Bike riding here is…pretty flat. Unless you like corn, then it’s exciting.
Lol- corn could be exciting!
Absolutely gorgeous!!! I can see why you were smiling! Sounds like a perfect day.
I’ve been daydreaming about it since then!
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