Western Canada - Riding from Vancouver to Osoyoos

Has anyone here made this trip? How was it? I am concerned about having enough shoulder to ride on, its been years since I drove it so I dont remember. I am considering the Hope/Princeton, not the Coquihalla. Thanks for any help.

You planning on using the #3 (Crowsnest) I assume:
I have never ridden it; but having lived for 16 years, and having family in Lethbridge AB; I can honestly say I know this route like the back of my hand (I now live in Van).
Trouble areas will be the stretch through Manning Park where the shoulders are very narrow, and there are many tight turns (not to be ridden at night at ALL in my opinion).
Plus you'll have the two "humps": First up to the crest of Allison Pass; then after a bit of descent; the final push up over Sunday Summit. -You can expect some more narrow shoulders, and many twists, and turns in these areas as well.
Then you'll be heading down to Princeton; the ride will become a lot more pleasurable.
Watch for narrow shoulders at bridge crossings.
All-in-all though; I would say it should be a great route to ride.

thankyou for the reply.

Quite a few nasty , long, steep grades before you start your descent into Princeton but the tremendous scenery will more than make up for the struggles, the rest of the way is great. As for the narrow shoulders, wear a bright flourescent (preferably lime green) riding jacket or a reflective vest and ride during the week from Hope to Princeton and you'll be just fine. Sometimes the truck and camper crowd can be scarey on the weekends. You'll use a great deal of water during the first 65 miles. A great many, including me, have done it without any problems, it's a great ride!

I road that stretch both ways in 2006 on my Vancouver-Calgary-Vancouver trip. As for the shoulders while climbing Allison Pass, it's usually not a concern, because there is a passing lane. The exception is when one tractor trailer is passing another. Which happened once or twice, and I just pulled onto the shoulder. But I did ride using about half of the right lane, thus forcing vehicles to change lanes while passing. And it worked for the most part. While descending at speeds over 40kmph, I always took the whole lane.

If you're camping, plan your intended campsites wisely. There's lots of climbing to get to Allison Pass; and after Manning Resort, I think there is only one campground before the beginning of Sunday Summit's climb.

The Princeton side of Sunday Summit has lots of ups and downs, before you actually descend into Princeton. I found that kind of a pain, because I had cycled from Hope to Princeton in one day, and it was a long day at that.

After that, there's just some big rollers after Cawston, then Richter's Pass.

If you can do it in June, rather than July or August, traffic should be lighter and a little less nerve-racking.

You'll have a blast.

I road that stretch both ways in 2006 on my Vancouver-Calgary-Vancouver trip. As for the shoulders while climbing Allison Pass, it's usually not a concern, because there is a passing lane. The exception is when one tractor trailer is passing another. Which happened once or twice, and I just pulled onto the shoulder. But I did ride using about half of the right lane, thus forcing vehicles to change lanes while passing. And it worked for the most part. While descending at speeds over 40kmph, I always took the whole lane.

If you're camping, plan your intended campsites wisely. There's lots of climbing to get to Allison Pass; and after Manning Resort, I think there is only one campground before the beginning of Sunday Summit's climb.

The Princeton side of Sunday Summit has lots of ups and downs, before you actually descend into Princeton. I found that kind of a pain, because I had cycled from Hope to Princeton in one day, and it was a long day at that.

After that, there's just some big rollers after Cawston, then Richter's Pass.

If you can do it in June, rather than July or August, traffic should be lighter and a little less nerve-racking.

You'll have a blast.
Factual info here.:thumb:

That's a great route. Enjoy your ride. No real problems as long as you take usual precautions.

I've done a lot of that route numerous times. The portion from Hope to Princeton is one of my favourite rides in B.C.

Traffic isn't bad and the motorists on Highway 3 tend to give you some room when they pass you.

Allison Pass is a long climb with a lot of elevation gain. There's a rest area at the Hope Slide, after you've done something like 16 kilometres of tough riding from Hope. There are other stops and picnic areas along the way.

From the Hope Slide, it's fairly good riding for the next while, but later you'll get another big climb to the summit.

The elevation gain between Hope and the summit is more than 1,300 metres. Expect to go slowly.

There are no stores or services from Hope until you reach the Manning Park Lodge, 10 kilometres past the summit. At the lodge, there's a restaurant and a small convenience and grocery store. There's also a fountain and water tap.

When I do this ride, I normally camp in the eastern part of Manning Park. The Mule Deer camping area usually has a spot for the night. It doesn't fill up nearly as fast as the camping areas closer to the summit.

There's a gas station, store and restaurant just past the east gate of the park. If you're leaving the park first thing in the morning, it probably won't be open. Don't count on it.

To reach Sunday Summit, you'll encounter one short but nasty climb. It's around eight kilometres of agony. But once you reach the brake check at the summit, it's mostly flat or downhill to Princeton.

Along Highway 3, there are a number of camping areas between Princeton and Keremeos. The road here does not have the mammoth climbs you'll encounter on Allison Pass and Sunday Summit.

I live north of Penticton, so I haven't done the portion from Keremeos to Osoyoos.

Thankyou for all the info, my main concern is the shoulders, or lack of them. I am from Oliver so I am pretty familiar with that stretch of road, though all my experience is from the inside of a vehicle. You know how it is, different perspective than from a bike.

It's a beautiful ride. I wouldn't worry too much. Just make sure you take the usual precautions -- wear bright colours, use a rear flasher (and full lighting at night, of course).

This story (http://www.veloweb.ca/storypages/cougerkoot.html) covers some of that section some years back.