Classic Ride – Classic & Vines 2023

Choose your starting point – this applies to both the Classic Ride and the Classic & Vines:

1. Overnight prior to your tour departure in Penticton – enjoy the beach and a comfortable relaxing evening if you have traveled some distance to get here.  Your shuttle (approximately 2 hours) will pick you up in the morning to take you to the eclectic town of Rock Creek for a 48 km ride on Day 1 of your tour or…
2. Arrive Penticton and shuttle directly to Midway – cycle 18 kms to Rock Creek and overnight in the rustic, comfortable Riverview Cabins. Midway is KVR Mile 0 – this is where it all began for the KVR – if you arrive early, take the time to cycle around the village – visit the “entwined trees” before following the river trail to Rock Creek.

Cycling Distance:  0 or 18 kms
Accommodation:  Penticton Motel or Rock Creek Cabin
Meals:  on own today

Shuttle today to Rock Creek if staying in Penticton, cycle to Beaverdell.  The ride today takes follows the Kettle and West Kettle Rivers through Rhone and on to the spectacular Taurus Canyon – recommended lunch stop and swimming hole.

Once a booming mining town, Beaverdell is a place unto itself!  we recommend the Red Rock Garage for superb coffee or the General Store for a well deserved ice cream or cold beer when you arrive after this big first day!  

Accommodation this evening is a cabin/cottage.

Wildlife alert:  watch for black bear, osprey, bald eagles, woodpeckers, deer.

Cycling Distance:  48 km km

Meals included:  Continental breakfast,  Dinner (bring your own lunch, or pick up a great packed lunch at the Rock Creek Trading Post).

There is just no way around it – you’re headed uphill today! just as the steam engines slowly wound their way through the forest and crept high above the valley floor, you will be following in their tracks. From Beaverdell it is a slight, but steady incline up to Idabel Lake. One of our favourite routes, this is the most remote section of trail. Relax the evening away – you are treated to a comfortable lakeside cottage or lakeside suite with dinner delivered to you in this remote setting – the alpine village is home to just over 50 people.

Wildlife alert: Watch for signs of black bear, deer, moose, elk, coyotes, eagles, and forest birds such as the rare western tanager. Spring and early summer reward with wildflowers.

• Cycling distance:  58 km (steady uphill grade 1.5-1.9%)
• Meals Included:  Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner hamper
• Accommodation: Lakeside cabin/suite

Layover day!  After two big days of riding, you’re at the top of the trail and this is a spectacular spot to enjoy your efforts.  Your comfortable cottage or lakeside suite will have all the comforts to relax the day away – and affords you the time to catch your breath and enjoy your surrounds – take a canoe or rowboat out on the peaceful lake, watch the loons, go swimming, fishing or for a hike through the woods.  

This is your day to relax and just simply breath in the fresh mountain air!  Many of our guests have had quite remarkable experiences here – from just appreciating the day of rest, to having a family of loons paddle alongside the canoe and even a young moose swimming alongside a solo rower.  This is your day to take it all in.

Morning dawns and you are away again! An exciting day and easier grade today – flat then slightly downhill. Myra Canyon beckons – famous for its trestle bridges hugging the canyon wall high above the city of Kelowna, it is worth taking your time. Forest fires took out many of the bridges in 2003, but all have been rebuilt and there are many interesting placards depicting the history and the rebuild.

A.  The shorter ride to Chute Lake with a (required minimum) 2 night stay at the historic Lodge – its about 58 km on flat then slightly downhill trail. The newly renovated historic Chute Lake Lodge awaits you this evening with a rustic, but comfortable cabin (or opt for a glamping tent or yurt if you like and we’ll get you right alongside the lake if we can!) Then enjoy dinner in the eclectic Lodge full of KVR memorabilia.  Your layover day here invites you to relax again – there are canoes and paddle boards available to explore the lake.  We can also highly recommend a chartered trip to visit Naramata and wineries by day and return to Chute Lake for the evening.  

B.  Go for the long haul all the way from Idabel lake on to Naramata (with an option to get a shuttle from Chute Lake Lodge down the final 28 km).  Its flat or downhill all the way – but at about 85 km it’s still a long ride.  The trail descends even more from Chute Lake down to Naramata and your final km’s are on paved back country roads past wineries in to the village – head to the beaches for a swim or stop at a winery.  Your well deserved Lakeside Resort awaits.  Dine at the famous Naramata Heritage Inn and their amazing new restaurant, led by Chef Ned Bell, one of Canada’s top chefs.  Or if casual is more your thing, Real Things Pizza and a bottle of fine BC wine overlooking the lake at the Resort. 

(Tomorrow we include an optional shuttle back up to the trail to Glenfir station – partway back to Chute Lake) to have a super relaxing and enjoyable downhill ride or simply relax the day away or go exploring wine touring, swimming or visiting the lovely village of Naramata).

• Cycling distance:  58 – 85 km (flat – downhill)
• Meals Included:  Breakfast, packed lunch
• Accommodation:  A.  Classic  Chute Lake Lodge (included – rustic/renovated cabins, yurts or glamping tents may also be available for an option) or B.  Classic & Vines – Lakeside resort Lodge B&B room

Classic Ride Option A. Includes layover day at Chute Lake – laze around the lake day! Or try canoeing or paddle boarding.  Or cycle return to Bellevue Trestle and back to Chute Lake if you want to see the trail from a different perspective.  Highly recommended is a chartered private tour into Naramata with our favourite local guide who will pick you up and return you to Chute Lake.  

Classic & Vines Option B. Naramata Layover day – Shuttle back up the trail and cycle return to Naramata – or take the day to do a self-guided walking wine tour (maps and advice included) or hired private charter with our favourite local guide to visit wineries, learn of the history and stories of this beautiful area. 

• Cycling distance:  optional distances
• Meals Included:  Breakfast
• Accommodation:  A.  Classic  Chute Lake Lodge (included – rustic/renovated cabins, yurts or glamping tents may also be available for an option) or B.  Classic & Vines – Lakeside resort Lodge B&B room

Classic Ride Option A – Chute Lake to Penticton or Classic & Vines Option B – Naramata to Penticton

It’s a downhill (some surface challenging) ride until you reach the “Little Tunnel” – on a fine sunny day, this offers up simply breathtaking views from the trail and worth a picture or two! Once you descend through giant ponderosa pines, you will begin to enter orchards and wineries in the lower elevations along the “mineral rich” bench along the lake. Stop in at a winery for a visit or early lunch, or the Trail Store for fresh fruit and ice cream before your final descent to the lakeshore of Penticton.

• Cycling distance:  A.  44 km. B.  20 km.
• Meals included:  Breakfast

Congratulations! your KVR Classic Ride complete and what an amazing ride!