Saturday, August 28, 2009

Today I rode on some of the best roads in southern BC. It was hard to contain my excitement when I woke up at 6am- but I wasn’t sure if it was because of the expectation of riding these highways, or because of where I was going. Every trip so far has had its own flavour, but one thing has remained consistent- the objective has always been great wine and sun in the Okanagan, and today I was going back to Kelowna to do just that.

I couldn’t have asked for better weather. I was on the road early at about 8:30 and already it was starting to get warm out. Clouds were rolling into Nelson and it was threatening rain for the afternoon. I avoided getting wet by heading north to Kaslo then west to New Denver. The entire way there was amazing. The roads are so tight and curvy, there’s barely any traffic, and the scenery can’t be beat.  This was my third time on this road and it’s damn near my favourite.

After a quick lunch at a bistro in New Denver I was back on the road to Nakusp, and from there went south to cross the lake at Fauquier. The ferry is an older one and still uses a tow cable to get across. I was lucky too, because just as I arrived the ferry was loading. I didn’t even have to stop the bike!

The ride from the ferry to Cherryville is a must- ride. I rode on it once before on Ryan & Silver’s Excellent Adventure 2007 and the experience has been burned in my mind, but that time I was going the opposite direction late in the day after touring wineries for a week straight.  The isolated and curvy road climbs over the scenic Monashee Mountains and then descends into the north Okanagan. By the time I got to Cherryville- mid afternoon- the dry, hot Okanagan air was starting to create a little discomfort as I was covered in my heavy leather armour. As long as I kept the bike on the road I’d be able to escape the heat with moving air.

I arrived at Vernon and took a different route to Kelowna, mostly because Hwy 97 is so busy and droning.  I headed north, rode around the northern end of Lake Okanagan, and then rode down a road called the Westside Road. Little traveled, this road rides high above Lake Okanagan with no guard barriers. Still, despite the lack of safety, it was a stellar way to approach the Mecca of the Okanagan wine country.

I rolled across the new Bennett Bridge just before dinnertime, and quickly found my way to the La Mission Motor Inn, my home away from home in Kelowna. When I arrived I was so hot and so tired and I didn’t bother with a shower. I simply tore off my leathers, threw on some shorts, and jumped in the lake. This was a refreshing way to end a very long day of great riding, and I was very happy to be back in Kelowna. For the next six days it would be nothing but wine, fun, and sun!