† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $50 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.
OVERVIEW:
British Columbia Canada is a province of low population and spectacular scenery. Join us riding in BC’s southern interior as we explore lesser known lakes and valleys of the Columbia River headwaters.
The trip starts in Kelowna, BC at the Eldorado Hotel with a shakedown day to enjoy the many superb local wineries, ride to the famous “Myra Canyon” wooden trestles, or stop at a farm to pick cherries then go for a cool swim.
Leaving Kelowna we ride north and east for several days through “Lake Country” before turning east along the Canadian Pacific Rail and Trans Canada Highway corridor through the Monashee mountains to rail town Revelstoke on the Columbia River. The next few days we move south along a series of lakes between mountain ranges, overnighting in peaceful Nakusp then Kaslo before our rest day in Nelson. The scenery is majestic and near pristine.
Celebrate Canada Day in historic Nelson before we turn west to Canada’s warmest lake Christina Lake, then to the idyllic Kettle River valley then finally back to the arid south Okanagan where we will enjoy a rest day in Osooyoos then finally back north to Kelowna with yet another lakefront stay en route.
RIDE RATING
This is a 3B ride. Total distance is 566 miles with a daily average of 47 miles per day. The average daily elevation is 2,878 feet with 4 days (Days 6, 7, 10, and 11) exceed the "3 " rating. We have several long gradual climbs but very little over 8%. We will also have rides on our 3 layover days
Much of our riding will be on well maintained secondary highways. We will also be riding on busier highways, though in most cases, road shoulders will be comfortably wide. However there are some significant stretches where we will have to deal with heavier traffic and narrow width road shoulders, requiring solid ridership and bike safety skills and experience. Riders will be briefed on these sections in advance.
Itinerary 2020
Day 1 June 23 Tuesday Kelowna BC Canada – arrival and 5:30 happy hour
Day 2 June 24. Kelowna local rides and group dinner
Day 3 June 25 Kelowna to Vernon 35 miles. 1066’
Day 4 June 26 Vernon to Sicamous 46 miles. 1780’
Day 5 June 27 Sicamous to Revelstoke 47 miles 2658'
Day 6 June 28 Revelstoke to Nakusp 62 miles 4060’
Day 7 June 29 Nakusp to Kaslo 58 miles 4269’
Day 8 June 30 Kaslo to Nelson 44 miles 3284’
Day 9 July 1 Nelson layover
Day 10 July 2 Nelson to Castlegar 49 miles 3903’
Day 11 July 3 Castlegar to Christina Lake 45 miles 3997’
Day 12 July 4 Christina Lake to Greenwood 38 miles 2524’
Day 13 July 5 Greenwood to Osooyoos 53 miles 2981’
Day 14 July 6 Osooyoos layover
Day 15 July 7 Osooyoos to Penticton 41 miles 1453’
Day 16 July 8 Penticton to Kelowna 46 miles 2557' and group dinner
Day 17 July 9 Thursday Kelowna departure
WEATHER
Weather at this time of year should be mild with some sunny warmer days.
Average overnight low temperatures are mid 40’s to mid 50’s with daytime highs of 60’s to mid 70’s, however we might get more heat (80’s) in the hot Okanagan Valley and cooler temperatures in the mountain valleys. Average rainfall is 4 inches per month so we can expect some rain.
LODGING & MEALS
Hotels/motels are 2 to 3 stars . We can look forward to over half of our nights being right on the water.
Trip fees will cover 3 dinners, 9 breakfasts, 15 lunches, and daily happy hours with snacks and drinks.
Food and supplies for lunches and happy hours will be provided by the ride. All participants will assist with laying out the lunch and happy hours supplies and clean up afterwards. This will be done on a rotational basis in teams of four. The same procedure will be used for happy hours. Lunches will be made each evening after happy hour.
LOGISTICS
Riders can fly or drive to Kelowna, BC. Major airlines that fly into Kelowna International Airport (YLW) are Westjet, Air Canada, and Alaska Airlines.
If you do fly in you will need to arrange shuttle transport from the airport to the Eldorado Hotel, costing approximately $40 CAD/$30 USD for 2 travellers.
Kelowna Concierge https://kelownaconcierge.ca/airportshuttle
Cheers Okanagan Tours https://www.cheersokanagantours.com,
There is currently one bike rental business in Kelowna called Fresh Air Concept https://www.freshair.ca. They appear to have excellent quality road bikes but rentals might be expensive. Fresh Air Concept is located 1.5 miles from the Eldorado Hotel and the shop is easily accessible by city bus
Bike box storage is available at the Eldorado Hotel, and complimentary parking is also available.
Luggage will be strictly limited to a maximum weight of 25 lbs. per piece. For those travelling with a large suitcase you will need to bring several small duffle bags to meet the 25 lb. requirement.
Riders are expected to load their own luggage into the van.
The support van is for emergency support for breakdowns or other emergency occurrences only.
COST & ADMINISTRATION
This tour estimated cost is $ 2,850 USD based on an exchange rate of $1.25 CAD per USD. The final payment may need to be adjusted up or down depending on exchange rate.
First payment is $1650 plus the $50 BAC fee due when signing up for the ride.
THE RELEASE OF LIABILITY (ROL) MUST BE SIGNED BY EVERYONE ON THE RIDE, INCLUDING BOTH SPOUSES.
Second payment of $1200 is due Dec.1, 2019 and both payments are made on-line by credit card.
The following files will be provided for download and for printing: route map and cue sheet PDF files, TCX files for Garmins, and Ride with GPS route files for iPhones and Androids.
SINGLES POLICY
Singles are welcome! It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until Dec. 1, 2019 to find a roommate.
If by Dec. 1, 2019 they or the ride leader have not been able to find them a suitable roommate they will have to forfeit their spot on the ride and will receive a full refund (minus the BAC fee and credit card fees).
Solos cannot be accepted on this ride due to lodging and room limitations.
CANCELLATION POLICY
The BAC ride registration fee and credit card fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report is completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the lodging costs of half a room for the trip. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.
RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY
Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.
SIGN-UP
To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally sign the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the non-refundable BAC fee ($50) and tour deposit ($1,650) by credit card. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. The second payment of $1200 will be due by December 1, 2019.
If you have any questions, please contact the ride leader (Sue) by email sue@bunten.ca or by calling her at (760) 698-9215.
Bicycle Adventure Club
PO BOX 23998 San Diego, CA 92193
Telephone (858) 715-9510 office@bicycleadventureclub.org