After five days of riding, we reached Bow Lake. We left our canoe and bike behind at beautiful Num Ti Jah Lodge, and hiked up to Bow Hut, a provision of the Alpine Club of Canada built on the edge of Bow Glacier.

While the Bow River actually draws water from a drainage area of over 25000 km², that didn't detract from the thrill of walking among the narrow braided streams flowing from the ice field-- the symbolic source of the Bow.

You always know when you're going to arrive. If you go by car, you don't. Apart from anything else, I prefer cycling. It puts you in a good mood, I find.