Lake to Lake in Beautiful BC

† 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 $150 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

Overview

The North Okanagan is a gem for cyclists with quiet rural roads and diverse scenery.   The area is a popular summer tourist destination.  Spring is an optimal time to cycle with average day time temperatures of 77F, light traffic and the semi-arid hills are still green from spring rains.   Cycle along lakes and farmlands with an opportunity to visit a historic ranch museum, a cheese factory and a dairy farm where you can visit the cows and have lunch and ice cream.  This is a semi-roaming ride with two hotels to allow plenty of time to explore small towns and cities in the valley with a choice of daily routes of varying difficulty.  

Days 1-2 We start our trip with an optional ride around Vernon with stops at an orchard market, a honey bee shop and a paddlewheel museum, to mention a few.  The route provides stunning lake views and winds around the city on rural roads with light traffic.  Total distance is 48 km, 600 meters (30 miles, 1,968’) and longer rides will be available.    

Day 3 Take an optional ride through the beautiful Coldstream Valley to a small town for lunch.   The round trip is 66 km, 600 meters (41miles, 1,968’). You can continue the ride on a rolling quiet road to a waterfall which will be in full flow and worth the extra distance.  Total distance 100km, 600 meters (65 miles, 1,968’).

Day 4  A mandatory ride to our next hotel.  75 km, 785 meters (47 miles, 2,575’).   We pass through a small town with quaint shops and plenty of choices for lunch such as a cheese factory with real fruit ice cream. 

Day 5 Rest day with an option to do a short ride 25km (15 miles) to a nearby lakeshore town for lunch with a bakery and winery along the way.  Other activities are shopping in town and a walk along the lake board walk and pier right outside the hotel to view nesting birds. 

Day 6-The optional ride is a circular route of 75 km, 730 meters (47 miles, 2,395’) or choose from other routes of similar distances with less climbing.   

Day 7-A mandatory ride with a choice of several routes. The shortest route is 74 km, 743 meters (46 miles, 2,438’).   A longer route has a climb that offers spectacular views of the valley.    85 km, 900 meters (53 miles, 2,700’)

Days 8-9 Our last day is an optional ride to a golf course and a coffee shop.    A 15km rolling climb with beautiful views.   It’s a quick downhill ride back to the hotel.  30km, 544 Meters (16 miles, 1,784’).  There is a flatter route to a Provincial park with nice beaches. 37km, 380 meters (23 miles, 1,250’).  The two rides can be combined for a total of 52km, 900 meters (36 miles, 2,952’).    

Health and Safety: Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to
ride. Should someone's health become compromised and the group’s health and safety placed
in jeopardy, a plan will be developed by the ride leader(s) and communicated to all individuals.
The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness as
a means to ensure the tour can continue as planned.

Ride Rating: 2B.  There are two mandatory ride days with an average of 76 km, 780 meters (47 miles, 2,500’).  The terrain is rolling with a short 6% grade climb.   The optional rides range from 1A to 3C.   The longest distance is 100 km (65 miles).   The hardest optional days of climbing are 900 meters (2,952’)

There are short mandatory highway rides but the traffic is light and the shoulders are wide.  The majority of the cycling is on minimal traffic roads on good pavement but may not have shoulders.   There is required riding to get in and out of towns with moderate traffic and the roads have shoulders. 

Route MAPS and GPS FILES: The ride leader will provide RWGPS files approximately 1 month prior to the start of the tour.  Participants will receive an email containing a link to the EVENT file. Participants will need to have downloaded (at the minimum) the free version of the RWGPS app to receive the voice turn by turn directions.  RWGPS can be run on a Garmin device and or smartphone.  Participants wanting cue sheets will need to print their own from the file provided. 

Luggage & van support: Luggage will be transported by van between Vernon and Salmon Arm.   Luggage allowed includes one bag that should not exceed 35lbs, and one smaller bag or backpack.  The van is available for 4 days of the tour for the mandatory ride days and is not a SAG vehicle.  Riders must be able to ride the distances on the mandatory ride days.   In the case of an emergency such as injury or illness or bike mechanical issue that can not be fixed on the road, a ride may be provided on the days the van is available.  Cyclists are expected to be able to do minor bike repairs and change a flat tire and should carry at least two spare tubes.    

Bikes: This tour is suitable for road, gravel, hybrid and tandem bikes.   E-bikes with removable batteries are welcome and must have the battery capacity to travel the mandatory ride distances.  Bike rentals are the between the participant and the bike shop and the Ride Leader does not get involved with bike rentals.  Some options in Vernon are: Krafty Bikes who rent e-bikes only.  Kalavida Surf Shop e-bikes and hybrids, Sun Country Cycle.  Google Vernon BC bike rentals. For Road/gravel bikes you would need to ask around.  For bike repairs or supplies, there is a bike shop in each town we visit.

Weather: Participants can expect anything from hot weather 30C/ 86F to cool rainy days and the potential for thunderstorms.  Usually the weather in early June is very pleasant, averaging 25C (77F) during the day but it can be unpredictable so come prepared.

Logistics: The ride starts and ends in Vernon, British Columbia at the Prestige Vernon Lodge Hotel.  Participants can fly into Kelowna International Airport (YLW) and take an airport shuttle to the hotel, approximately 35 minutes.  The hotel does not provide shuttle services but will assist with booking shuttles at the participant’s own cost and needs to be booked in advance.   Participants who drive can park at the hotel for the week an there may be a parking fee not included in the ride cost.  Bike boxes will be stored at the hotel at no charge.    The ride will start with happy hour at the hotel at 5:30pm Saturday, May 30th.  The tour will end after breakfast on Sunday June 7th

Lodging: Accommodations in two hotels, 3 nights in Vernon, 3 nights in Salmon Arm and then the last two nights in Vernon at the same hotel.  There are many restaurant choices and stores within a short walking distance in both locations. 

Prestige Vernon Lodge and Conference Centre: https://www.prestigehotelsandresorts.com/locations/vernon-lodge/overview/

Prestige Harbourfront Salmon Arm   https://www.prestigehotelsandresorts.com/locations/salmon-arm/overview/

Cost & Administration: The estimated cost of this bike tour is $1,425 plus the $85 BAC registration fee.  The cost includes 8 nights lodging in 3 star hotels, 3 group dinners, 8 breakfasts and 7 happy hours with snacks and one drink per participant, and luggage transport between hotels.  Drinks with group meals are not included.  Museum or other entrance fees are not included.

The trip cost may be adjusted if there is a significant change in the USD/CAD exchange rate.  The budget used $1 CDN = $.76US.  If there is an adjustment in the cost, this will be reflected in the final payment. 

The initial deposit is $925 and is due within one week of registering for the ride.  The final payment of $500 is due no later than April 1, 2026. 

Singles & Solos Policy: Singles and solos are a welcome addition to the ride.   It is
recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of
the initial deposit, a single rider without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until
April 1st 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 Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fee) or
pay $630 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 Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.
The solo supplement payment of $630 is due by April 1st, 2026 and can be paid by Zelle or
check. To pay using Zelle:
● In your bank's website, add Bicycle Adventure Club as a new recipient, with email
address treasurer@bicycleadventureclub.org
● Initiate a payment
● In the Message block, enter the name of your ride.
If you have questions, contact Nancy Bohnett (nbohnett@bicycleadventureclub.org) in the BAC office. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the
tour name included on the check and mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

Cancellation Policy:
The BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. 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 canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling 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 canceling 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.

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 the Ride Leader. While on the ride, support
your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and
cleanup. 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.

Insurance Statement

Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel
insurance coverage is sufficient.  BAC maintains insurance that covers expenses related to accidents, medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected sickness, and repatriation. This coverage applies when touring outside the US, regardless of your nationality, with the exception of Canadians cycling within Canada who are not covered. It will cover you door-to-door for a maximum of 90 days but will expire if you make a side trip not related to the BAC tour for more than 7 days before or after. There is limited coverage for a family member to join a covered person in an emergency. The policy covers the cost of treatment for Covid and other unexpected illnesses, but not quarantine. Coverage is subject to a $1000 deductible.

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 accept the terms of the
Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the Tour Deposit and the non-refundable BAC Ride
Registration Fee by credit card. There is an $85.00 domestic ride fee and $150.00 international ride fee. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" name at the top of this Ride Description.