Touring - Exploring the Okanagan and the KVR

I'll be spending at least the next 6 months in the Okanagan valley, and was hoping to use this thread both to post my experiences, as well as to gather input from others who have cycled this beautiful region of the world.

Also if anyone is going to be in the area, I'd love to do a meet and ride.

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/162/329200616gi.th.jpg (http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/162/329200616gi.jpg) http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/6441/329200638je.th.jpg (http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/6441/329200638je.jpg) http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/629/329200648ez.th.jpg (http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/629/329200648ez.jpg) http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1536/329200653ft.th.jpg (http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1536/329200653ft.jpg) http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/4848/329200660ir.th.jpg (http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/4848/329200660ir.jpg)
http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/567/331200616rb.th.jpg (http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/567/331200616rb.jpg) http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/8071/331200628yn.th.jpg (http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/8071/331200628yn.jpg) http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/7319/331200630lq.th.jpg (http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/7319/331200630lq.jpg) http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/6554/331200641ds.th.jpg (http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/6554/331200641ds.jpg) http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/8494/331200656ng.th.jpg (http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/8494/331200656ng.jpg)

I'll try to ride over and meet you this summer. You have got to ride up to the top of the north Cascades highway and back to Mazama. most excellent. also, if you like dirt roading it, Hart's Pass to the north of Mazama is the highest road pass in Washington state, I believe. It's gravel, but very very pretty. Once you get pass Dead Horse curve, it's pretty straightforward. PM me if you want some in depth.

Are you in the Canadian Okanagon, or down in the Washington side of things? Regardless, start asking the local hipsters about "Barter Fair" down Omak way.....

I'm in the Canuck Okanagan (correct me if I'm wrong, but the US version is spelled Okanogan)
But if you'd like to maybe do a meet in the Osoyoos region (right on the border) that would be great....

Meet the famous Bekologist!

I spent some time many years back with Canuck friends in Kelowna - it is a really beautiful area. Everytime I go through there i am amazed at the climate and terrain - it seems so different from the rest of BC.

I spent some time many years back with Canuck friends in Kelowna - it is a really beautiful area. Everytime I go through there i am amazed at the climate and terrain - it seems so different from the rest of BC.


It's still a bit chilly and rainy, but I'm looking forward to that hot, dry, clearbluesky weather that this "pocket desert" is famous for.

Ohhh... and the fruit. Can't wait til some of those cherries come in!

What a great spot to spend the next six months! Good for you Bikepacker!

What a great spot to spend the next six months! Good for you Bikepacker!

Yes I am quite lucky.
I have some good friends in Penticton who have been nice enough to give me a cheap place to stay, and are going to help me in acquiring a work visa so that I can stay even beyond September (fingers crossed)\

The landscapes out here are vastly different from the claustrophobic forests of New England, and I have to say it sometimes leaves me reeling to be able to see vistas wherever I look!

Some more pics:

http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/6057/402200647ax.th.jpg (http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/6057/402200647ax.jpg) http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/7610/402200620ut.th.jpg (http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/7610/402200620ut.jpg) http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/8636/402200615ft.th.jpg (http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/8636/402200615ft.jpg)

Here are some short vids of Highway 97 around Vaseaux Lake and the trail around Lake Skaha

http://www.zippyvideos.com/8964814594672426/road1/

http://www.zippyvideos.com/3328299024677256/trail1

A group of 10 from our local bike club cycled the KVR just a few weeks before it was devastated by the fire. Do you have a reading as to the restoration. I would love to do it again - one of the best!

Bikepacker,

I've got a friend who does some eucalyptus farming over in Tonasket- let me try to coordinate a trip out there with him, and I could certainely cycle up to the Osyous for a little riding. will keep you updated on possible trips out your way.

My inlaws have a house in Osoyoos, im there a fair amount.
Its definatly one of the most beautifull areas in the world, wait till summer is in full swing and the population goes thru the roof.

They also do a triathalon there every year.

Bikepacker,

I've got a friend who does some eucalyptus farming over in Tonasket- let me try to coordinate a trip out there with him, and I could certainely cycle up to the Osyous for a little riding. will keep you updated on possible trips out your way.

Just let me know... I'll be here all spring/summer :D

A group of 10 from our local bike club cycled the KVR just a few weeks before it was devastated by the fire. Do you have a reading as to the restoration. I would love to do it again - one of the best!


I know that they've been doing alot of work around the Myra Canyon area since shortly after the fires.
Here's (http://www.trailsbc.ca/okanagan_region/myra-canyon-map.html) a website dated November '04 where they've created new trails and bypasses for some of the destroyed trestles.

But personally, I haven't yet been to the areas that were affected by those wildfires.

I'll be interested to know if you find some road riding in the Okanagan. It's on our short list for relocation from Ottawa.

Theres lots of road riding, and you get a great choice of what terrain.

Its a long long valley going north to south, filled with lakes almost end to end. On both sides are hills as you can see in the pics up above.

If you go north/south the road will be basically flat but if you travel east west you get some good hill workouts.

And you can buy a mtn bike and cruise the offroads

Edit : oh wait....your from ottawa....terrible road rides out west here, just terrible !!!!! stay in Ottawa, its much better there :D

I know that they've been doing alot of work around the Myra Canyon area since shortly after the fires.
Here's (http://www.trailsbc.ca/okanagan_region/myra-canyon-map.html) a website dated November '04 where they've created new trails and bypasses for some of the destroyed trestles.

But personally, I haven't yet been to the areas that were affected by those wildfires.

If you're gonna be in the Myra Bellvue area, we can go for a ride.

Jarery,
Well, we do live in Ottawa but we're actually a family of displaced montagnards. Two of us were even born at 3000 meters so we're trying to find a place to work and play where we can at least see the mountains (and get an occasional glass of wine afterwards)! Thanks for the road update!

Jarery,
Well, we do live in Ottawa but we're actually a family of displaced montagnards. Two of us were even born at 3000 meters so we're trying to find a place to work and play where we can at least see the mountains (and get an occasional glass of wine afterwards)! Thanks for the road update!

Well, LOTS of wine in Okanagon now.
20 years ago it was all fruit orchards, then a few places tried wine, then mission hills winery won world class awards. Now its vineyard after vineyard as the orchards fade away.

Both are good for us cyclists, no need to pack a lunch, just buy fresh fruit at a roadside stand, lots in summer months. Its definately beatifull area, nice beaches in summer, snow in winter.

I will be with a group of about 15 people who wilb in the south Okanagan near Penticton during and around our long weekend in May (Victoria Day) from May 19 -22. We paln to do some road cycling, KVR and wine touring. Let me know if you would like to conect with us.

For cyclist interested in the KVR and trail updates google in " Cycling the Kettle Valley Railway" The authors (Dan and Sandra Langford) of the bible of cycling this absolutely spectacular trail have the most update information. I rode the trestle part of it from McCulloch Stn to Chute Lake and return one day many years ago. Fantastic views. Great ride at a 2% grade. I keep promising myself that I must go back. Maybe this year