Heavy Rescue 2024 Solo Tour

An adventure designed around the TV series Highway Thru Hell

Important Update About this Journal: Wildfires and closed roads in Alberta and BC resulted in a significant detour of my planned route. The detour began at Banff. I took a bus from Banff to Kamloops then continued on. Hope my experience helps you plan your epic adventure. Sincerely Keith

*Highway Thru Hell Documentary TV Series // Youtube - Recent Show//

About: The Heavy Rescue 2024 Solo Bicycle Tour is a route that was planned to be completed during the COVID pandemic. It was attempted twice, but detoured both times. (See my detour in 2020 here.)

This 2024 version, begins with a two-day, "cross country" commute on AMTRAK ~ Harrisburg, PA to Whitefish, MT., USA. With a three-day, planned layover in Whitefish, I hope to make an out-and-back ride to West Glacier and Glacier National Park.

Returning to Whitefish, I will head north into BC, Canada at the Roosville Border Crossing. Trails and Highway 93 will guide me into British Columbia, Canada, and then into Alberta to the most scenic, 144-mile bicycle ride in the world ~ Icefields Parkway. Passing through the Canadian Rockies, the famous Icefields Parkway is home of two national parks ~ Banff, Canmore and Jasper. Hoping for a two-day layover in each Banff and Jasper.

After leaving Jasper, my route takes me west past Mt. Robson before I turn west toward the towns of Kamloops and Merritt. A planned bus shuttle will take me from Merritt to Hope, BC, where I'll continue south southwest to Mission and Langley, BC.

From Langley, I'll travel to Delta, BC and the Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Victoria (Swartz Bay) Ferry to Victoria, BC. The final 21 miles of the Heavy Rescue 2024, will take me to downtown Victoria and the Victoria Clipper Ferry Terminal. The Clipper will whisk me to Seattle, WA, USA.

The stop in Seattle will include a visit with my youngest son Dan and his wife Louise, and their adventure dog Mr. B. This segment of the Heavy Rescue 2024 tour might just mark the most exciting and epic segment of this 1,000-mile adventure. The details of this special event/surprise, is forecasted for my arrival ~ how special!

After what is anticipated to be a BIG CELEBRATION in West Seattle, the rails of AMTRAK will carry me back across the country past Whitefish and onward eastbound to where this dream tour began more than 30 days earlier!

Thank you for riding along on what should be an EPIC adventure!

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Tamora StumSounds like a plan and another adventure hubby.....xoxox
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10 months ago

Kelly IniguezWe are also aiming for an out and back foray up the Going to the Sun Road. Do you have a date? We are there on June 14th.
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10 months ago

Keith A. SpanglerKelly, I won't be there until July 25 ~ in Whitefish. Maybe you can share your experience, was hoping to stay in West Glacier then get a shuttle up to Logan Pass and ride down after the bike restrictions are over. (You probably know about the bike restrictions, if not see the Glacier National Park website.)
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10 months ago

Keith A. SpanglerTo Tamora StumThanks Tamora for being so supportive of this crazy adventure; I hope it is as beautiful as they say it is!
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10 months ago

Daniel SpanglerLove you dog. You know I will miss you on this adventure. But I’ll be with you. We will have the rooftop tent ready for your arrival in west seattle.
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7 months ago

Keith A. SpanglerThank you in advance for coming along in spirit! I know I'll be finding inspiration as I "find my way" down the road. LOL
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7 months ago

Betsy EvansJust a couple of points: (1) from Roosville, you'll be crossing into the province of British Columbia, Canada, not into Alberta, although you'll be in Alberta when you're on the Icefields Parkway, and (2) you're going to Victoria, BC, which is on Vancouver Island, not to Victoria Island. Check your Wikipedia link - you can't bike to Victoria Island even if you wanted to - cause it's in the Arctic.
:-)
Have fun on your adventure!
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5 months ago

Keith A. SpanglerTo Thank you Betsy, seriously. I’m just a stupid American - hehehehe. I appreciate you taking the time to get me straightened out. If you are along my route wave or honk. Respectively, Keith
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5 months ago

Nita HansonSounds like you have a really long train ride. I hope you have stuff to keep you occupied.
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4 months ago

Keith A. SpanglerYes long, but I reserved the roomette so rest and relax in comfort. Time to think what lies ahead.
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4 months ago