And the traveling continues: Cycling part of the KVR

Labour Day weekend cycling a small portion of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail (the KVR) from Penticton to Myra Canyon and back. The KVR is a converted railway track that runs from Midway to Hope and is now used as a hiking and cycling trail. I cycled this on a hybrid, but would recommend using a mountain bike, especially for the section from Penticton to Chute Lake.

Day 1: a 40k cycle that took far too long. A rocky, sandy path, combined with the fact that ALL 40k was on a slight incline, made for a very long day. We set up camp at Chute Lake Lodge. Day 2: cycle to Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park. There are 18 trestle bridges and two tunnels in this park. The highest point along the KVR is also found in this park. Day 3: cycle back to Penticton. We cut a portion of the KVR out by taking an unpaved road that intersects the KVR just after Chute Lake. On our return route we stopped for ice cream, more photos and samples from Clean Slate Winery and Poplar Grove Cheese.

In 2003 there was a forest fire that devastated much of the area around Kelowna, including Chute Lake and Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park. You can still see some of the damage 10 years later, especially in photos of Chute Lake and along the trail. Most of the trestle bridges in the park had to be rebuilt.

Leaving Penticton along the KVR

Vineyards just outside of Penticton

The cliff edge on much of this trail ensures diligent cycling.

Okanagan Lake

The best thing to see on a 40k uphill trail.

Not the best thing to see when there are no outhouses in site.

More sandy, rocky trail. My hybrid was not happy.

Kelowna from the KVR

Chute Lake

Chute Lake Lodge
We camped on the Lodge property and treated ourselves to breakfast the first day and pie on the second. The rhubarb pie is homemade each day and they use rhubarb grown in their garden. It was delicious!