A ride through some of the most picturesque and beautiful countryside that BC can offer, from the Okanagan to the West Kootenays. The route passes no less than 13 major lakes, such as Okanagan, Shuswap, Arrow, Slocan, Kootenay, Christina, and Osoyoos Lakes.  Mountain ranges that are ridden  through and sometimes over include the Selkirks,  Purcells and the Monashees. 

This is a 13 day van supported, motel loop tour, with a short optional section in the U.S. The tour was conducted in 2015, and the BCLM2 will follow the same route with most of the same lodgings.  Interested members may refer to the tour report found on the CCCTS website under Tour Reports; `2015 BC Lakes and Mountains`.

Motels in towns described in the itinerary.  Specifics to be provided later.

The total distance will be about 900 kilometres, over 11 cycling days, averaging 81 kilometres per day, and includes a rest day in the scenic town of Nelson. There will be several mountain passes and numerous hills–this is BC after all–and it is recommended that cyclists be of at least intermediate level of fitness and bicycle skills. The total vertical ascent during the route will be 10,215 meters. All participants will be expected to take turns driving the tour vehicle, a U-Haul panel van, during the tour.

The route follows mostly secondary highways with reasonable or light traffic conditions.  Local roads are used where possible such as in the Okanagan Valley.

13 nights motel/hotel accommodation, vehicle rental and ancillary costs, four group dinners, six breakfasts, happy hour snacks, miscellaneous expenses for tour information packages and maps for participants, and one tour leader’s recompense, calculated as the lessor of 5% of total tour cost or one participant tour fee.

Not included in the tour fee are all meals except where noted, all drinks, transportation to the start of the tour, supply of bicycles, and other personal expenses during the tour.

Day 1: June 13. Arrive in Oliver and meet fellow cyclists.
Day 2: June 14. Oliver to West Kelowna, 89k, 807m.
Day 3: June 15. West Kelowna to Vernon, 72k, 740m.
Day 4: June 16. Vernon to Sicamous, 82k, 699m.
Day 5: June 17. Sicamous to Revelstoke, 75k, 828m.
Day 6: June 18. Revelstoke to Nakusp, 100k, 1326m, including a scenic ferry ride.
Day 7: June 19. Nakusp to Kaslo, 94k, 1348m.
Day 8: June 20. Kaslo to Nelson, 70k, 1086m.
Day 9: June 21. Rest day in Nelson.
Day 10. June 22. Nelson to Castlegar, 84k, 1309m through Salmo, or 45k, 473m direct.
Day 11. June 23. Castlegar to Grand Forks, 98k, 1480m.
Day 12. June 24. Grand Forks to Greenwood, 63k, 531m with option for scenic ride along the Kettle river as it loops through Washington State.
Day 13: June 25. Greenwood to Oliver, 104k, 1102m.
Day 14: June 26. Home

Participants will arrive at Oliver’s Cactus Tree Inn, 34469 97th Street, Oliver, BC on June 13. Arrangements have been made to store vehicles at Oliver Car and Truck for a fee of $20. This expense is not covered by the tour.  A meeting of participants will take place at 5pm at the motel, where participants will meet each other and introduce themselves, and tour protocol will be discussed and queries answered by the tour leaders.  A schedule of driving the support vehicle will be established.

A $2.00 non-refundable registration fee is required at tour signup, which must be done online. 

Participants will be selected on the basis of date and time of registration; their experience and fitness in relation to the tour rating (see above); and availability of rooms to suit the number of couples and shared singles with same sex roommates.

Registrants will be contacted within 72 hours of registering, and if accepted will pay the first instalment ($700) online. Those cancelling will not be refunded those monies spent to cover fixed costs unless a replacement is found; and a second deposit of $700, to be paid online, is due May 15, 2017.

If the tour fills, registrants can be placed on the waitlist, but will be expected to let the tour leader know if they no longer wish to participate.