Tour Date: 8/11/2023-8/14/2023
Tour Date: July 21-24, 2023
Tour Date: June 23-26, 2023
Tour Date: August 2022
Tour Date: July 2022
A bicycle tour on the Icefields Parkway is definitely a challenge, but along the way there’s great scenery, comradery, good food, comfortable accommodations, and superb support. Ben’s dedication to excellent service made the tour outstanding.
Tour Date: September 2, 2021
I have had many adventures and done many tours facilitated and provided by Ben. He really is the best. A great guy, and a well-organized, conscientious support driver. The shoulders on the Icefields Parkway have recently been upgraded and are very wide and good condition almost the whole distance. Having a big portion of the Bow Valley Parkway closed to vehicles is a bonus too. Highly recommend!
Tour Date: 2021-07-09
We have enjoyed over twenty overseas bicycle tours and this trip through the Canadian Rockies was the best organised to date. Ben’s attention to detail is outstanding: accommodation was excellent throughout, rest stop refreshments along the route provided variety and appetising quality, rider support was excellent, the hire bikes were well maintained and fit for purpose and Ben’s easy going personality made the tour group feel comfortable no matter the level of cycling skill or fitness level. The combination of Ben’s organisation and planning together with the outstanding natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies make for a truly memorable experience.
Tour Date: Aug.1to 6 2019
I think this tour through the Parkways in the Rocky Mountains would be hard to beat- from the scenery, cycling terrain and the ever smiling and enthusiastic of the host Ben. Accommodation was good, food and snacks excellent and you really don’t have to worry about anything other than your ability to pedal ( and if that fails there is the ride in van with Ben). All good and I would do it all again
Tour Date: 9/12 August 2019
I would recommend this trip to all bicycle riders out there with fitness levels that do not need to be so elite. I was a little apprehensive prior to the ride and in consultation with Ben, he was able to offer the necessary information on the ride which allowed me to make my decision to book. To be able to say you biked the Rockies is such a beautiful thing! Ben was on top of all ride details and logistics which made for a very comfortable experience. The four riding days coupled with the riding distance each day is perfectly set out. Accommodations and food were top notch which made for relaxing evenings after each daily ride. I look forward to booking this trip once again in the near future and I know all you riders out there will not be disappointed if you decide on Mountain Madness Tours. Lastly, forgot to mention the amazing scones Ben picked up in Jasper which were a hit for a good part of our trip!
Tour Date: July 2019
Riding along the Icefields Parkway is a singular experience: Beautiful mountain peaks, ice fields, glaciers, valleys, lakes and falls is overwhelming. Every kilometer offered gorgeous scenery. We encountered inclement weather and it, too, was part of the beautiful mosaic that is the Rockies.
Ben perfected the logistics by arranging the accommodations, meals (all enjoyable), ensuring our safety with briefings (“stories”) of the day’s course and safety alerts, and patrolling the course to make sure everyone was having a good time. The fully-equipped rig was a welcome sight at scenic rest stops (e.g. the Columbia Icefields), and there was a great spread of food, refreshments, water, electrolyte drinks and fresh fruit. He was also a master mechanic, and maintained the rental bikes (mine did not miss a shift throughout the tour) as well the personal bikes brought by two of the participants.
In addition to Ben’s hospitality, he was kind enough to accommodate those of us who terminated the ride in Banff by adding a spur around Lake Minnewanka and surprised us at the end with pizzas and crew photos. Our group bonded well and Ben was the ideal leader. There is none finer.
I unreservedly recommend Mountain Madness Tours. I hope to sign up for another one.
Tour Date: August 2018
Tour Date: 01 June
Tour Date: August 25-28, 2017
If you choose to go on this trip, Ben is definitely the man to guide you.
Sincerely,
Barry
Tour Date: four day trip concluding 7/24/17
Tour Date: 7/6/17
Tour Date: June 2017
I ran in the Canadian Death Race this year, and needed to get from Jasper to Grande Cache. I had to go meet him all the way at MY FRONT DOOR!!!! Honestly, where else can you get this service? After the event was over, Ben went out of his way to make sure I had time to go to the awards breakfast!
Will be using this service again next year FOR SURE!
This is an entirely fabulous trip in every way! Ben is the most thoughtful, engaging and positive host anyone can ask for. From the ‘stories’ about what we could expect at every stage of the ride, the ever-present support van every hour or so with snacks, hot cocoa on the chilly mornings, and Ben taking amazing photos of everyone, all we had to focus on was having fun pedalling through the most amazing scenery you can imagine. It was like an Immersive Ansel Adams… pedalling inside of the most incredible photographic works of art!
Accommodations and food were wonderful, and the last night’s dinner at The Station and hikes at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake were truly above and beyond my expectations. Don’t miss this experience!!
Susie
Tour Date: August 18-21, 2023
Trip if a lifetime. Ben made it special with his attention to every detail, being fully supportive of our group and ensuring all were successful. Can’t recommend higher!
Tour Date: August 2022
Best Biking trip ever, Ben was a great tour guide, he went the extra mile to make sure everything was perfect.
He knows the area well and was very accommodating to our needs. I would recommend this trip to all my friends.
Lynn
Tour Date: July 2023
A large group of us (aged 67-68) did the Jasper-Banff tour with Ben this last weekend, to challenge ourselves as we ride into the sunset. Despite our misgivings (lack of training, age, etc.) a combination of E-Bikes and Ben’s outstanding hospitality got us all through the 4 days in one piece, and at peace. Ben’s organization, knowledge, and his quirky Aussie accent combine to make for a seamless experience starting with stories in the morning about what was going to happen that day, to hosting hikes (for those with energy) after a delicious meal. I recommend this to anyone interested in seeing our beautiful mountain parks up close, getting some incredible mountain fresh air and challenging your limits on two wheels!
Tour Date: August 25-28, 2022
The most epic bike tour imaginable. They say the Icefield Parkway is the most beautiful roadway in the world. It is truly more beautiful than you can imagine. To experience it by bike with Ben is unreal. Ben is the ultimate host and an incredible guide. He has a laid back Aussie vibe that makes everyone feel like they can take on the challenge of the hilly climbs AND he is on top of every detail to make the tour easy and fun. Highly recommend. You are not going to want to miss out on this tour. Sign up now!! Thank you, Ben! I had such a fabulous time!!
Tour Date: July 6, 2022
Ben was super supportive during this ride. While we trained hard to get into shape for the ride, I don’t think we would have been successful without him!
Tour Date: August 5 – 8, 2022
What a fantastic experience! We had the great pleasure to join one of Ben’s tour across the Rockies! WOW! The itinerary and landscape are phenomenal indeed – it is a real blessing to cycle through this spectacular landscape. We are experienced cyclist but I am confirm that the itinerary is for all levels. I was concerned about the quality of the bike as we are used to our own fitted bike – nothing to be concerned about. The bikes are great – I had challenge with the seat but our thoughtful Ben did his magic again as, lucky me, he had few options available to try another seat which was perfect. We want to share a special thank you and shout-out to Ben – such a fantastic guide : caring, thoughtful, fun, patient, kind, easy going with a real priority : offering a superb customer experience . You are really one of a kind and the work you invest in this tour and all the details about it if very impressive. Ben is taking care of absolutely everything from the moment to register to this tour to leave to take your flight back. Thank you for making this tour possible which is a unique experience and itself but you are bringing this to a next level : simply the best! 5 star tour!
Tour Date: Sept 2 2021
We had the absolute best experience riding from Jasper to Banff with Ben and Mountain Madness Tours. From start to finish Ben had thought of it all. Great snacks along the way, great accommodations and to top it off a great tour guide. Along with planning out beautiful rides and routes for us to take, Ben would go above and beyond to suggest extra hikes or locations to go visit and would often join. It was a pleasure to spend the week with Ben and we would recommend his trip and tours to anyone.
Tour Date: July 23 – July 27, 2021
Last week my wife and I completed a tour offered by Mountain Madness Tours from Jasper to Banff/Canmore. This is a world class tour right down the backbone of the Rocky Mountains offering stunning mountain scenery at every turn in the road.
Our tour guide Ben, made the tour all about providing you with the best possible cycling experience. His attention to detail is outstanding; he knows the region like the back of his hand right down to where you would find crosswinds coming across a mountain valley. He is extremely organised from having your bikes waiting for you in the morning to the pre-ride chat (covering distances, hills, rest stops, lunch). At each rest stop he is ready for your arrival with water bottle refills, snacks set out and stools to sit on. He also carries all the equipment you may need for bike maintenance. One nice safety item that we appreciated were the radios he has for each riding group as cell coverage is limited in the mountains. We mostly used them to clarify turn points and to let everyone know where the roadside wild life was.
Ben’s friendly easy going personality made the tour group feel comfortable no matter your skill or fitness level. My wife and I were concerned that our age/fitness level would be a factor however you don’t have to be an elite athlete for this trip. If you want, Ben also offers electric bikes for those who want a bit of a boost on some of the hills.
The hotels were clean and more than adequate to rest our bodies at the end of the day and the food offerings/quantity were great for hungry cyclists.
To top it if off Ben dropped us off at our home in Calgary (only a slight detour) before heading up to Edmonton with the rest of our group.
Overall, I would highly recommend Ben and this tour to anyone considering a ride through the Rockies.
Tour Date: August 2020
EPIC! This was my first organized cycling road tour that I participated in and it totally exceeded my expectations! Ben is incredibly organized from booking to the end of the tour drop offs. He had each day lined up on a chart, descriptions of the terrain, distances to rest stops, etc. At each rest stop snacks set were out with stools ready for an energy recharge. He even swept gravel off of the shoulders of the some of the road and brought our bags right to our hotel room doors! There was extra equipment/accessories available for those who may have been missing extra items, like waterproof shoe covers. There were walkie talkies available to communicate with him when cell serve was unavailable, which was a great safety feature when we weren’t quite sure where the next regroup stop was. Hotels and restaurant choices were wonderful, comfortable and the food was awesome! He took very nice quality photos of us along the way and shared some epic shots that he had taken on previous tours. It was so great to not have to think or worry about any details; everything was handled. He was super chill and relaxed but also precise and very organized. I would totally recommend touring with Ben to anyone interested in road cycling touring through the Alberta Rockies AND I would LOVE to do another tour with him again! SO GOOD!
Tour Date: July 5-8, 2019
Tour Date: July 16, 2018
Salida, CO
Tour Date: 8 June – 11 June 2018
Tour Date: August 25 – 28
The scenery is stunning! The cycling is generally not too difficult, allowing us to take in the view while rolling along, with two steep climbs that you have to get up. Our group of varying abilities were all able to meet the challenge.
The hotels were clean and adequate for our tired bodies and the food selections were good.
I have been on other organized bike tours in Europe and this one rates highly. I wholeheartedly recommend this trip and I we were all sad to see it end so quick. Thanks Kevin!
Tour Date: Aug 4-7, 2017
But more than all that, Ben’s service is unbeatable. He’s super well-organized and it seems that nothing has escaped his attention. Ben made us feel very well cared for. He’s really thought of everything that can make his guests’ experience enjoyable. I had a flat tire on the first day. We radioed Ben and he was there promptly with a wheel that was ready to go. Our group had individuals with special food requirements. Ben had a variety of snacks to meet all the special requirements and made arrangements at the restaurants to cover all the special needs. He carries extras of a lot of stuff in his well-supplied trailer, so if you’ve forgotten something, chances are Ben’s got it stashed neatly in his kit. He’s even got a yoga mat if you need a comfortable spot to stretch your legs!
Best of all, Ben never seems to run out of smiles or enthusiasm. He’s not only knowledgeable and accessible, but he’s a lot of fun to be with, too.
Thanks for all that you put into making our tour great, Ben! I highly recommend this tour to anyone who’s considering riding the Alberta Rockies.
Tour Date: June 9-12, 2017
I highly recommend Ben’s company for any cycling endeavours.
Tour Date: 23 July, 2017
Pam & David
Tour Date: 8/18/23
Tour Date: July 23rd, 2023
Ben, my wife Jan thoroughly enjoyed her Jasper/Banff trip. I knew she would and had encouraged her for several years to undertake it. Jan rated it 10/10 and based on the conversations we’ve had for the last two weeks, you and Mountain Madness were a huge part of that. Im sure Barb shares the same feelings.
Tour Date: July 23rd, 2023
This is the best bike tour I have ever been on. Right from the get-go, Ben made it super easy to plan. He was extremely responsive with information during the planning phase. Ben also was flexible to our needs logistically, which made things much easier for us. The route from Jasper to Banff was amazing with stunning scenery. The roads were in very good condition with wide paved shoulders. The Icefields Parkway had wonderful areas where we could get off our bikes, take pictures, stretch etc.
Ben’s Mountain Madness Operation is first class. His van was set up to shuttle riders in comfort. His trailer was set up with individual carriers that really protected our bikes.
Our accommodations were great. Super clean. We ate like kings and queens during the ride. After dinner, we had the option to go on short hikes to stretch our legs and see amazing waterfalls.
Most important Ben was just a great guy to spend time with. He is smart, funny, supportive and very hard working.
I would definitely recommend this ride to anybody that is a fairly fit bike rider.
Tour Date: July 29th, 2022
Just got home from Canada tonight, and can’t stop thinking about our amazing bike tour. While I exercise frequently, I had only owned a road bike for one month and had never toured, but I did it! Every mile! I sure wasn’t the fastest but I am super proud of myself. Thanks Ben, everything was perfect! So much fun!
Tour Date: Aug/Sept 2022
The tour company Mountain Madness was well organized and efficient. Our host Ben Johnson is friendly, accommodating and well organized. The staging of the route was well planned. Riding began at Becker’s Chalets just south of Jasper Thursday afternoon. We rode 50 Kms to Sunwapta Falls. The next day was 100km to Saskatchewan River Crossing with big uphill and downhill sections. The next day was to Lake Louise, where we stayed at Mountaineer Lodge. On the final day, we rode highway 1a into Banff. Accommodation was good, and food was well planned. We ate breakfast and supper in the lodging restaurants and got a good lunch and supply of snacks from the support vehicle.
If you are considering a support bike tour from Jasper to Banff I recommend Ben Johnson and Mountain Madness.
Don Odell
Tour Date: August 25-28, 2022
This is a must do adventure. Ben’s support and organization make the trip (as well as the scenery!).
Our group had the entire gamut of skill sets and Ben catered to all. Thank you Ben!
Del
Tour Date: August 25-28, 2022
As an amateur and beginner biking guy, I have many ways to describe this trip and maybe legendary is the most appropriate one. Ben Johnson, as our biking guide, provided us with all kinds of support. His dedication and professionalism during my trip was amazing. It was my pleasure to meet him and talk for hours during the road trip before our biking tour. Due to a completely successful tour, I wish Ben and his company Mountain Madness prosperity and infinitely more adventures.
Tour Date: 27th Aug 2021
“WOW – Look at that”! How many times did I say that on our tour?! Unbelievable sights, view, wildlife…you will see water a shade of blue you will not see anywhere else, magnificent craggy peaks, views for miles, some looking up and some looking down, bears, ravens, caribou, deer, and free-range cattle are all on full display. No matter which way you aim you camera, you are sure to get a great picture. Truly spectacular.
Ben and his associate Bryan took exquisite care of our large group for the entire week. I was impressed with Ben’s flexibility to meet our various arrival and departure schedules and shuttle us to / from the airports, hotels, etc. They went out of their way to make sure even the most finicky guest was fully satisfied with food, rental bike, accommodation, you name it.
Food was outstanding overall, especially the evening meals. Even though this tour takes you “out there” excellent food is to be found and enjoyed. Breakfast buffets were all at least very good or better, and all you can eat, so if you went hungry before lunch it was definitely on you. 😉 Lunches were in most cases more than I could eat, and en route snacks were generally Kind bars, Clif bars, home-style banana bread and scones (yum!), fruit, trail mix, and more. You think you should be losing weight but are likely not.
Most of the route took us on the Icefields Parkway, which has a fine shoulder, and seemed very safe. We also rode on various paved bike paths one day, and also the Bow Valley Parkway – reminiscent of the Blue Ridge Parkway but unique in its own way. We customized our route to include the highest paved point in Canada, the Highwood Pass at 7,239 feet of elevation. As with all the other climbs on the route, this one was challenging but just enough, and Ben’s rental bike gearing made them all doable by our entire group. There were several “bonus round” climbs at various points most days, to see a special sight or gain yet another awesome view. Do them, and you will be glad you did.
You will make memories to last a lifetime on this tour!
Tour Date: 8/1 – 8/6/19
Our tour was pure delight. We were taken total care of by Ben Johnson who is an expert at taking care of his group of ducks and making sure they have their needs met in every way he can think of meeting them. He is sweet and caring and has all of this equipment, snacks, and group therapy ready to go every day.
Tour Date: 7-24-2019
Tour Date: 24 to 27 August 2018
Great ride and experience! You were an awesome host with a well planned out awesome ride through the Canadian Rockies. Great riding with the other ten. All great people with great camaraderie. Would recommend you in a heartbeat!
Dave
Tour Date: August 24, 2018
Tour Date: Sept 14- Sept 18, 2017
Christine and Miles
Tour Date: Aug 25-28
Through the years, Ben has worked on perfecting the manner in which he supports bike rides. He now has something unique and special to offer. In spite of this, he is quite flexible. In our case, he was willing to customize his tour to allow us to experience more things along the way, and he even joined us in some of these activities. His thoughtfulness and kindness make the ride more enjoyable, and if you are open to it, you may even make a new friend by the end of the ride.
You cannot go wrong riding with Ben.
Tour Date: July 25th 2017 – August 30th 2017
Tour Date: July 6-12, 2017
Thank you so much for arranging our custom six-day ride from Jasper to Banff. You picked a great itinerary, gave us clear instructions, set up correct expectations for each section of the ride, met us with a smile on your face at every rest stop and with snacks or lunch, took great photos, and clearly enjoyed being with us throughout the trip. We had a superb ride through this very scenic parkway and you suggested and accompanied us on great side trips or hikes. Making the e-bike available was very helpful and we cannot thank you enough. You really enjoy your job, going out in nature, and being helpful to the riders. The ride, scenery, and you made for the best vacation ever!
Koushik and Stacy, July 2017
Tour Date: July 25-30, 2017
Thanks for taking care of us Ben. You are a champion!
Tour Date: June 30th to July 3rd, 2017
My ‘better half’ was looking for ideas when she was captivated by a description of a trip through the Canadian Rockies written by Mark Beaumont on one of his mega cycle challenges.
So she started researching options on the Internet and came upon Mountain Madness and Ben.
We were initially tempted by the full 12 day tour from Jasper to Waterton National Park, but were concerned that we wouldn’t be able to keep up with the daily mileage and started thinking about the shorter tours.
We got in touch with Ben, who reassured us that an average level of fitness would be more than adequate to complete the full tour, which turned out to be quite right. What we didn’t realize was that the Canadian roads through the Rockies are big, wide and mostly have a great cycling surface in the roadside shoulder where most of the kms are ridden, with relatively modest climbs, rarely above 4.5 %! The max gradient is 8.5% for a short distance.
The somewhat forbidding metres climbed on paper were not a problem on the ride because they were over several kms at these gradient rates! Check out the YouTube vids other clients have shot.
Anyway, Ben said, if someone hits ‘the wall’ they can simply jump in his minibus to recover and the bike goes into his magic trailer!
We spend most of our riding time in the Lake District and other hilly parts of the UK, when most rides include many ascents, usually short, but up to 25% on occasions. This takes its toll on the legs, so 80kms is a long ride for us normally.
With Ben’s diligent support and regular re-stoking with intelligent, yummy snacks and meals from the Ben Cafe, (which appears from his Dr Who’s Tardis like trailer to make a very welcome sight), the kms fly by! He knows exactly when and where to set up a stop. There is usually something spectacular to see as well! The astounding mountain scenery just seems to get better and better as the days roll by!
This was the first supported tour we have been on. The hire bikes were great and it was very mentally relaxing just to roll out of bed in the morning and jump on the bike after breakfast for the day’s adventure, knowing that a good meal and another bed await, all arranged by Ben. No hassles, just riding, eating and socializing with the other folk on the tour. Marvellous! We all had a great time and it was a very fulfilling experience to get to know the other riders who had amazing stories to tell!
Ben was unceasingly cheerful and always a pleasure to be with. He has some amazing stories of his own, which explain how he knows so much about fitness levels and nutrition, but you’ll have to join one of his tours to hear them for yourself!