The Bicycle Adventure Club - Come Ride With Us!

Vineyards and Rail Trails in the South Okanagan

September 8th to September 20th

Ride Director: Margaret Slack
Ride Co-Director: Laura Hall
Report by: Julie Pattison

This semi-roaming location tour led us through Canada’s South Okanagan Valley on quiet roads and trails near three small towns adjacent to pristine lakes nestled in rolling hills. Rides were 40-50 miles long averaging 2500 feet elevation, with some alternate routes. We rode along paved forest/ranch roads, less often on unpaved dirt/gravel/rail trails, thus the recommendation for 38mm tires. Weather was fantastic, with clear skies and 70s temperatures.

Kelowna stays bookended our trip. The comfortable hotel included a friendly breakfast and proximity to several restaurants. Ride directors led a fun and filling Happy Hour replete with excellent Okanagan wines, beers and cheeses as well as plentiful buffet foods, including fresh peaches hand-picked by our leaders! Our first ride started on the historic Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) system alongside cattail-filled marshes to breathtakingly beautiful Lake Kamalka and included a fun roller coaster gravel abandoned mine trail. Next day we were shuttled with our bikes up to Myra Canyon. We learned how the KVR System was built and later converted to an extensive bike trail system then enjoyed a ride over 18 trestles while gaping at spectacular Canyon views. The following day we rode alongside a stream containing spawning salmon, up into and around the vineyard hills outside the Canyon, then down to the town’s bike-friendly waterfront park paths. We spent the afternoon enjoying a lakeside lunch at Turtle Bay Pub, then relaxing on Oyama Beach.

For the first of 3 required rides we were all supplied with comfort bikes with wider tires for the adventurous trip down from Myra Canyon to Penticton on an unpaved gravel-stone-sand path through a beautiful forest, with a relaxing midway lunch option. On a longer stretch of deeper sand we felt like we were swimming and for a short distance walked bikes. We were rewarded with beautiful views riding into Penticton, with vineyards on the left and Okanagan Lake on the right. The hotel, restaurant and pool were enjoyed. Our next ride was up through forested Green Mountain (black bear sighting) along a stream before opening up to a bucolic ride through Twin Lakes. At 4000 foot elevation, some cyclists opted to ride part of the trail. The next day we enjoyed a lake ride to the small town of Naramata where we indulged at the bakery. 

We cycled from Penticton to Oosoyoos along Lake Skaha to our resort. An optional ride from Osoyoos crossed into the US to a peaceful trail along the Similkameen River. We passed unusual looking Spotted Lake, felt to have healing powers by Syilx First Nation. On an Oosoyoos town exploration we learned more about the history and culture of the First Nations at the N’Kmip Desert Cultural Center. Unfortunately several cyclists experienced flat tires from goat head stickers on some overgrown unpaved paths. Balancing this were numerous opportunities to enjoy fresh fruit (peach hand pies!) as well as taste wine or beer at the many boutique wineries and craft beer breweries along the routes. 

The trip back to Penticton was through pine forests (black bear sighting) past teal-colored lakes and pioneer log houses and barns. Mid-day nourishment options included Knighthawk Winery pizza while watching grapes being crushed, See Ya Later Ranch Winery and Okanagan Falls Tickleberry Ice Cream. Some riders opted for a morning ride to Summerland before we shuttled back to Kelowna for another fun Happy Hour and goodbye dinner at which we expressed our gratitude to our awesome directors for this very enjoyable trip!