2022 International Selkirk Loop

† 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 $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW

Join three British Columbians as we reach hands across the Canada – US border to show off our beautiful home province on one of the best rides in North America. Bring your Passport!  We’ll ride through the breathtaking Selkirk Mountains in a sparsely populated remote corner of northeastern Washington, the big lake country of the northern Idaho panhandle and into majestic southwestern British Columbia, a place of forested hillsides, sparkling waterfalls, snow - capped craggy peaks, and charming small towns. We’ll leave behind sandy rolling pine plains and climb into the heart of the Selkirk Mountains, one of 4 parallel mountain ranges that make up the vast Columbia Mountains west of the Rockies. 

For the most part we are riding through valley bottoms and beside vast lakes filling narrow fjord like valleys providing stunning mountain vistas. This international loop route is a National Scenic Byway and a popular BAC ride, having been led in 2004, 2005, 2010, and 2012. Your Ride Director led this ride in 2019.

Much of the land along this scenic byway corridor is National Forest, National Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife Management Area, or Provincial Park.  There will be plenty of chances to see North American wildlife and to experience local history (First Nations, mining, boom towns and ghost towns) and current culture (arts, adventure travel, eco-conscious).

The scenery is amazing, the roads are well maintained and traffic light to almost non-existent during the week days. On weekends, we’ll spend our first Saturday enjoying a rest day in eco-organic Nelson BC, the largest town in the West Kootenays and our second rest Saturday in the vibrant lakeside town of Sandpoint Idaho. 

We’ll have a chance to enjoy a hot springs grotto soak, an optional after dinner full moon cruise on a free BC ferry trip across Kootenay Lake, and to join a 90 minute interpretive cruise on the massive and deep lake Pend Oreille in the north Idaho panhandle. Then we’re back onto sandy rolling hills as we ride overland from one large lake to another: Lake Coeur D’Alene . Finally we follow the Centennial Trail, a dedicated off road cycling trail alongside the Spokane River that leads right back to our Spokane hotel.

We will provide short “bonus” routes around the town or hotel for those who wish to ride some extra miles on the long June days.

ITINERARY

• Arrival   Spokane WA. 5 pm Initial meeting and group dinner
• Day 1  - Spokane WA to Newport WA  54 miles 2275 feet
• Day 2  - Newport WA to Ione WA  51 miles 1010 feet
• Day 3  - Ione WA to Nelson BC 64 miles 3466 feet
• Day 4  – Rest day in Nelson 
• Day 5  – Nelson BC to New Denver BC  62 miles 3940 feet 
• Day 6 – New Denver BC to Kaslo BC 31 miles 2507 feet
• Day 7  – Kaslo BC to Balfour BC 21 miles 1928 feet
• Day 8  – Balfour BC to Creston BC 50 miles 3121 feet 
• Day 9 – Creston BC to Bonners Ferry ID 43 miles 1803 feet
• Day 10 – Bonners Ferry ID to Sandpoint ID 41miles 1103 feet
• Day 11 – Rest day in Sandpoint
• Day 12 – Sandpoint ID to Coeur D’Alene ID 58 miles. 1411 feet
• Day 13 – Coeur d’Alene ID to Spokane WA 35 miles  641 feet.  Group dinner
• Day 14 - Depart Spokane after breakfast
• TOTAL   510 Miles 23,285 feet

Route Overview        https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35212391

RIDE RATING  2 C!

This tour is Rated a “2 C!” as while the average daily distance is 46 miles, on 6 of the 11 days we are riding 50 miles or more. Our longest day (Day 4) has mostly gentle gradient climbs but climbs to fairly high elevation and is made longer by our need to muster at the border before we cross as a group.  Our steepest continuous climb will be the 1.5 mile climb immediately after disembarking from the Kootenay Lake ferry at up to 9%.

This is a relatively remote area with generally light traffic. Roads are in good condition and are used mostly by logging and other commercial trucks (18 wheelers) who are generally courteous and accustomed to cyclists.  Riding into and out of the larger towns of Spokane, Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint and Coeur D’Alene we’ll be on dedicated and well-marked cycle paths. Access in an out of Nelson is alongside a slightly busier highway so extra caution will be necessary. On Day 10 we have a 4 mile stretch of gravel on a fairly hard packed road and on Day 11 we have a short 2 mile section of well-traveled hard packed gravel.

WEATHER

June daytime highs range from 60 to 76 deg. F and nighttime lows between 48 to 60 deg. F.  June is the third warmest month to be travelling in the Selkirks.  However these westerly ranges do catch (and release) moisture; on average we can expect 9 -10 days with some precipitation in June.  On our June 2019 trip we had very little rainfall on any day but did have a light snowfall at the top of our Day 4 ride to Nelson. Weather in the mountains can be unpredictable. 

LODGING AND MEALS

While all of our rooms will be clean, comfortable, and quiet, some are in very small towns where lodging unavoidably is limited. We have 4 nights in more humble lodgings and 4 nights with fine water views.  The tour cost includes 14 night’s accommodation, 10 breakfasts, all lunches, 2 group dinners as well as a daily social hour with snacks and drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic included in the price. 

Participants will make their own sandwich lunches to either leave in the van or carry with them for the days ride.  To make this work we’ll set up a schedule for teams of 4 volunteers each day to help laying out the folding tables, lunch ingredients, carry ice buckets and hot water, and do a light cleanup of utensils, twice in a trip. We’ll all be given quality re-usable containers for our own lunches and individual stainless glasses for social hour drinks so as to minimize plastic waste.

LOGISTICS

Our tour starts and ends in scenic Spokane, WA a small city with its airport “GEG” currently well served by 6 airlines (Alaska Airlines, Southwest, Delta, American, Frontier and Allegiant.)  Our hotel offers free airport shuttle service and free parking but all vehicles will have to be moved to their other hotel property some 15 minutes away for long term parking. Bike box storage will be available. We‘ll be happy to  provide local walking and riding maps for any early arrivers.

We will meet on Tuesday June 7th 2022 at 5 pm in the Holiday Inn Express Downtown Spokane WA lobby and will return to that hotel on Monday June 20th 2022 for a final group dinner and departure the following day Tuesday June 21st 2022. 

Nearby bike shops include: Spokane Bike Hub http://thebikehub.com, Spoke n’ Sport  http://spokensportinc.net and Wheel Sport Bicycles Wheel Sport Bikes.  Outdoor and bike gear if needed can be found at an REI store near our hotel.

You’ll be lifting and loading your own bag into a 12 foot panel truck. Please keep your bags light – two lighter bags are better than one heavy bag.  

E-Bikes and tandems are welcome on this tour but please be aware that 3 of our hotels do not have elevators and we cannot guarantee a ground floor room.

The van's primary role will be to transport luggage and supplies. Participants are expected to complete the ride each day as the van will not serve as a sag vehicle.  The van will be available to assist with any emergencies.

Riders should be able to handle their own bike repairs - and at a minimum, be able to change their tire. Please note that cell phone coverage is extremely spotty in the mountains.

COVID-19

If we still have a Covid 19 risk, we will follow all the necessary rules, and change activities as needed to remain Covid compliant, and can keep the tour as safe as possible. We will invite participants to a Zoom meeting about 30 days prior to the tour start date to finalize our COVID protocols. You may be asked to wear PPE in public, maintain social distance in public and limit social gathering in public

COST & ADMINISTRATION    1st  Payment $1,500 + $50 Fee Due Upon Sign Up                                        

                                                 2nd Payment  $1,000 Due by February 1, 2022
The estimated cost for this tour is $2,500 plus the non - refundable $50 BAC registration fee. The tour cost is based upon an estimated currency conversion of 0.85 $USD to $CAD. As always participants will be refunded any unused funds after the final accounting.

In addition to meals and lodging described above, this cost covers the van to carry food and luggage, a 90 minute scenic cruise on Lake Pend Oreille, reusable lunch storage container, a happy hour mug and a trip tee shirt as well as all navigation aids (GPS files and Ride with GPS maps and cue sheets). Thanks to BAC’s new Ride with GPS account, participants will be able to access all route map features such as voice navigation, points of interest, cue sheets etc. with only a free basic Ride with GPS subscription.

It is assumed individual participants have operational knowledge of their respective GPS units and or Ride with GPS on their smart phones.  

The minimum number of paid riders is 17 and the maximum is 21. A deposit of $1,500 plus the $50 BAC fee will be due when you sign up, and the remaining $1,000 will be due on February 1, 2022.  

Please make sure you read and understand the Cancellation Policy 

CANCELLATION POLICY

The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled due to participation below stated minimum requirements. 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 are 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 solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

SINGLES AND SOLO POLICY

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 January 1, 2022 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC fee and payment processing fee) or pay the $ 1,500 Solo Supplement and stay on the ride. If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary. The Ride Director will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride. Solo supplement payments need to be sent to the BAC office by February 1, 2022. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check. They should be mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY

Please remember that BAC Ride Directors 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 the Ride Director. While on the ride, support your Ride Director 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 Director informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Director’s decisions. 

INSURANCE

Before participating in any BAC tour, members should review their medical coverage and assess whether what you have is sufficient. If it isn’t, you should purchase additional travel medical coverage. BAC maintains a policy that provides coverage for expenses related to medical emergencies and repatriation when members are on tours outside the US and their home country. The policy ceases to be applicable if a member makes a personal deviation (e.g., makes a side trip not related to the planned BAC tour), has limits on expenses covered for family members and only applies for 45 days following departure from home. There is also limited coverage for medical expenses associated with accidents incurred by US residents when on tours within the US. 

None of the policies maintained by BAC will cover costs associated with self-quarantines that may be government mandated. Members should also ensure that vaccinations are up to date (e.g., annual influenza, tetanus, etc.). When travelling outside your home country you may wish to consult with a travel physician or nurse to ensure that the appropriate vaccinations are up to date.

SIGN-UP

Register by clicking on the ‘Sign Up’ link above the Ride Description.  After the Ride Director has accepted your application, you will be moved from the Wait List to the Pending List.  At this time you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee and the initial tour deposit of $1,500 + $50. by credit card. 

As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List.  To contact the Ride Director, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.