The Tour Divide is one of the toughest mtb races on the planet.  Banff, AB to Antelope Wells, NM.  2745 miles of solo, self-supported racing along the spine of North America.

The Slacker Tour Divide captures the first 360 miles of the Tour Divide.  A sampling of some of the wildest, most remote country in Alberta, Canada and Montana, taken at a more leisurely pace interspersed with overnights at lodges where possible.

The route follows primarily primitive double-track jeep trails, some sections of more developed gravel roads and a small amount of single-track.

Expect at least a day in transit each way to Banff and from Whitefish.  Additionally I plan to spend a night at the Banff Fairmont before the ride.  The mtb route of 360 miles could be accomplished in 3-5 days depending upon luck, grit and the desire to hammer versus the desire to slack.  Tour Divide Riders typically do this section in three days.  It is the Slacker Tour after all so maybe 4-5 days is the right cut.  In all the trip could take 6-9 days - essentially a week of PTO plus some weekend time.

The Slacker Tour Divide (STD) is a self-supported ride.  Riders should be prepared for mechanical breakdowns, unexpected overnights, first aid, possible bear encounters and long sections without accessible water.  Portions of the STD travel extremely remote country without cell coverage and where aid may be a day's cross-country ride away.

By Rail:  Travel from Portland, OR to Banff by rail is time consuming and appears to only get you as far as Edmonton,  which is a 500 mile drive from Banff.  Unfortunate, since Amtrak from Pdx to Vancouver, BC and then travel via Trans-Canada rail would be sexy.

By Air:  The closest significant airport to Banff is Calgary.  Cost is approximately $500 RT or $210 one-way.  It's a 90 minute trip from Calgary airport to Banff.  One way car rentals are apparently difficult to arrange but there are shuttles:  Banff Airporter 403.762.3330/888.449.2901

By Car:  A final option would be to have a friend/spouse/significant other shuttle the group to Banff.

By Rail: Easy-peasy.  Best option for the return trip is Amtrak.  They'll accommodate bicycles.  The trip takes 24 hours and costs range from $90 for a one-way coach seat to $500 for a sleeper.

By Car: A couple of possible options.  Do a two car shuttle to Banff via Whitefish and drop a car off (requiring  a trip back up to Banff obviously).  Or rent a car one-way from Whitefish to Pdx.  Dollar Rental and Budget both have facilities near the Whitefish train station.  Cost is approximately $50 plus fees & gas.  (Note that the Whitefish locations appear to complain about one-way rental to Pdx.  Kalispell locations do not.  May take some phone persuasion...)

This needs deeper thought but my first cut must-have list would be:

• Summer weight down sleeping bag (highly compressible)
• Hydration pack and at least one spare water bottle
• Water filter/purifier (Steripen, etc)
• Shelter: bivy sack, tarp, UL tent, Hennesy hammock, etc
• Sufficient food for two days (drops/re-supply points need to be vetted)
• Repair kit
• Bear spray (must be purchased in Canada - cannot legally transport cross-border)
• Spot messenger (or similar)
• Smartphone + LiON spare charger/solar charger
• Raingear

The route starts behind the Banff Springs Hotel and follows the Spray River and Goat Creek for 18 mi/28 km, reaching the northern tip of the Spray Lakes Reservoir.  A mix of gravel road and singletrack hugs the western shore of Spray Lake toward looming Mt. Shark (below).

At the southern end of Spray Lake the road winds southeast along the base of the Kananaskis Mountain Range and Mt. Lawson.  From there it runs east of Mt. Invincible, eventually intersecting with the Elk Lakes and the Elk Lake Alpine Cabin (aerial).

Banff:
Banff City website
Fairmont Hotel
Trip Advisor Banff Hotels

Elkford:
Elkford Hi Rock Inn

Sparwood:
Blue Collar B&B
Causeway Bay Hotel

Whitefish:

Transportation:
Banff Airporter

Tour Divide:
Casual Tour Divide Honeymoon blog
Bicycling in Glacier Park