Wander Maps
CROSS BORDER OVERNIGHTER – 1000KM’s
In 2022 the US border finally reopened after being closed by the pandemic for a couple years and I took a few trips down into Washington to some of my favourite places like Winthrop and Conconully. It was good to back touring again south of the border and in October the weather gods presented us with some unusually clear, warm riding days. My mission was to find the longest ride with the most curves and the fewest number of cars with a good stopping destination around the halfway point. It had been several years since I had been on Highway 20 between Republic and Tiger but I remembered it was always a great ride full of long sweepers, tight hairpins and switchbacks, and a couple of cool small towns. The best-traffic free way to get to Republic Washington is to take Highway 33 out of Kelowna, it’s a favourite local ride and it takes you south towards the Midway Border crossing. As usual there were no issues crossing the border on my F6B Goldwing just the normal where ya going, where ya staying any guns, cash, alcohol? Once in a while, they want to poke around in your saddle bags but not this time.
…find the longest ride with the most curves and
the fewest number of cars with a good stopover
destination around the halfway point.
After crossing the border I headed south following the winding Kettle River until I reached the town of Curlew. You won’t drive through the town unless you take a sightseeing detour. I like checking out all of the old run down towns whenever I pass by even if it’s just to ride through they’re always full of character and I’ve met some interesting souls this way. Republic is a small western-themed town that never really gets old (Pun intended). There are a couple of pubs and even a Saloon, I like the lounge in the back of the Knotty Pine. If you haven’t been to Republic it’s worth a look and maybe a stop for lunch. There’s also a good gas station at the Highway 20 intersection and an active fossil dig. Heading east on 20 offers up some great turns and scenery and approaching Kettle Falls you cross the Columbia River and take Highway 395 for bit through town picking up Highway 20 on the other side watch for signs for Highway 20 or Tiger. If you’re looking for food when you climb the long hill after crossing the Columbia you’ll see Sandy’s Drive Inn on your right it’s a typical US Burger greasy spoon and a quick stop.
Picking up Highway 20 coming out of Kettle Falls the next section of 20 doesn’t disappoint with some nice sweepers and switchbacks heading down into Tiger. There are no services in Tiger just a cool old General Store and Tourist stop. The town is named after a settler named George Tiger it’s a good place to stop, collect your riding buddies and chat about the mountain you just rode down! Heading north towards the border on Highway 31 I stopped in Ione (pronounced eye own). This town of broken dreams is like one of hundreds of other small US towns. It has a Main Street, a couple of pubs and Saloon. I checked out the Block Bar N Grill this time through…definitely a lot of character! Heading further north the next town is Metaline Falls you have to turn off to see the town but it’s definitely worth a look. There’s a great main street with an old theatre and a historic hotel. I’m going to make a point to stay there next time I’m in the area. I’m not sure why but there never seems to be more than one or two vehicles roaming around?
From Metaline Falls I head north back to the “Great White North” crossing back into Canada at the Nelway Border Crossing and head east on Hwy 3 towards Creston. On my journey I stayed in Creston and had logged just under 500kms for what I would call a perfect day of riding. I booked in at the Creston Valley Motel on this trip it’s the perfect place to stay if you’re on a motorcycle located right in town, the owner is very accommodating and he’s an avid rider with an FJR1300! If you prefer to camp Scotties Campground is tucked away just off the main street but conveniently right in town. There’s a few good places for food and I checked out Caseys Community House on this visit.
On day two after a good breakfast at the Buffalo Trails Coffee shop I fuelled up and headed north on 3A towards Crawford Bay and the ferry to Balfour. The morning ride was awesome with very little traffic, great scenery and the road twists, rises and falls following Kootenay Lake. I just missed the ferry at Crawford Bay so I took a little side trip to the village of Riondel. An off the beaten path village and another interesting find. The ferry offers a scenic ride from Crawford Bay and I never get tired of taking a break on the ferries, especially the free ones! Once you arrive in Balfour you turn right on Highway 31 and continue north towards Kaslo BC and New Denver. This section of tarmac is one of the most popular rides in BC and even though I’ve ridden it many times it’s always enjoyable. But wait there’s more! by this time in this trip it seems like I’ve never stopped turning and what’s more fun than powering out of one corner only to set up and lean into the next for kilometre after kilometre in light traffic and great weather. Highway 6 runs from New Denver through Nakusup to yet another short ferry at Fauquier and another 135 kms of winding road to Vernon BC. One of best things about this route is the lack of other vehicle traffic coupled with great scenery and just enough small towns along the way make this an epic ride. Arriving back in Kelowna from Creston in the morning I had logged a little over 500kms I think the side trip to Riondel was enough to make this almost exactly a 1000km ride and accomplishing my overnight mission of finding the longest ride with the most curves and the fewest number of cars! I can’t wait to do this one again next season!
HWY 6 TO THE NEEDLES FERRY BC
The ride from Kelowna to the Needles Ferry and Fauquier is famous in the BC motorcycle community for it’s tight curves and generally low traffic. From Kelowna take Hwy. 97 north, you can avoid going into Vernon if you take the Coldstream exit on your right just past Okanagan College. This road winds down to Kalamalka Lake, one of the ten most beautiful lakes in world according to National Geographic, you will pass the beach and through the community of Coldstream. The road will eventually intersect back with Hwy. 6 East. You stay on Hwy. 6 all the way to the Needles ferry. If you need fuel you should fill up in Lumby. A good food stop is the Blue Ox Pub it will be on your left as you leave town.
It’s about 135kms from Vernon to the ferry and the farther you travel the better the road gets from a motorcyclist’s point of view. When you reach the ferry the wait time is usually around 15-30 minutes the crossing is short and the ferry is free. On the other side you the road continues along Arrow Lake through Burton and on to Nakusp. There are a few place to eat in Nakusp my favourite is Leland Hotel featuring good food and one of the best patios you’ll find anywhere!
It’s about 135kms from Vernon to the ferry and the farther you travel the better the road gets!
I think the return trip is equally good. One of benefits of the ferry is once you get past all the cars and RV’s the road ahead is traffic free. If you want an alternate route back try the Westside Road route. Stay on Hwy 6 until it intersects with Hwy 97 North (32nd. Street) in Vernon. Turn right and stay on Hwy. 97, as you pass Swan Lake on your left take the Kamloops exit follow Highway 97, not 97A. You’ll pass by the Historic O”Keefe Ranch on your right then watch on your left for Westside Road. This will bring you back to Kelowna on yet another favorite BC motorcycle road. Keep an eye out for deer and especially Big Horn Sheep they are often near or on the road.
Jeff Kumagai I Freelance Motorcycle Rider
THE KETTLE VALLEY RAILWAY
When we think of the Kettle Valley Railway, the Myra Canyon trestles are top of mind. Designed by Andrew McCulloch back in the late 1800’s to service the mining industry, an engineering marvel, with sections that can be experienced on your adventure motorcycle. The Myra Canyon trestle section is now designated a National Historic Site and is off limits to motorized vehicles. However this doesn’t mean there aren’t other sections of the route that are still ridable. This ride is only suitable for an Adventure or Dual Sport Bike. I did it on a BMW R1250 GS Adventure.
A good circle route that I like begins in Kelowna and takes you high above Lake Okanagan, It’s always impressed me that a steam train ran through this elevation above the lake. The route provides some amazing views of Kelowna, Lake Okanagan and the Naramata bench. The fire of 2003 engulfed many portions of the KVR but ten years later the forest and vegetation are regenerating at an incredible rate transforming the barren landscape.
You begin your ride in Kelowna taking Lakeshore Road south, towards the Kelowna Mission district, eventually you will hit an intersection where Lakeshore bears right towards the lake. You continue straight ahead on Chute Lake Road. This will take you through the southwest Mission area, Chute Lake road will veer right into the Kettle Valley development. Don’t follow Chute Lake, instead head straight through on Upper Mission Drive (there’s a lot of construction in this area) look for a dirt road called Gillard Forest Service Road on your left. There may be signs for the KVR or Chute Lake Resort. Once you’re on Gillard it’s easy to follow it to the KVR. Keep in mind this road can be very rough although it’s better maintained since the trestles have been rebuilt. The service road climbs steeply up the side of the mountain and eventually crosses the Kettle Valley Railway bed, which looks like a road at this section. Turn right on the KVR and you’re on your way to Naramata.
Again this section of railway/road can be rough especially in early spring there could be a lot of wet sections and windfall. I suggest doing this ride mid-summer if you’re intimidated by gravel road riding. There are some soft narrow sections so take your time and enjoy the view and the history. About midway along you will pass Chute Lake and the rustic Chute Lake Resort. If you like antiques it might be worth a stop and walk around as the resort has quite a collection of you name it? It’s possible to take Chute Lake Road down to Naramata from the resort but the best of the railway bed lies ahead when you cross the small wooden bridge. This section of the railway is narrower and will give you the real feeling of what it was like to chug along on the old steam railway. Note the KVR is a popular bike and hike route so you will encounter other adventure seekers along the way as well as vehicles coming the other way. More and more there’s pressure to close sections to motorized traffic. Keep you speed down and respect the other users of the trail.
As you approach Naramata you will be rewarded with incredible views of the lake and wine country below. I try to stay on the railway bed as long as possible, there are a few obvious roads down to Naramata. The town is a prime agricultural community, the KVR linked the village by rail in 1914 and it was considered one of the most difficult sections to complete. Naramata is now established as a significant part of Okanagan Wine Country and worth a visit. The Naramata Heritage Inn and Spa is a historic building with a nice outdoor patio. Naramata road is a great paved section to ride that winds it’s way through rolling hills and many vineyards and wineries. It’s a fantastic ride! Penticton offers a wide variety of places to stop for a bite to eat. The Hooded Merganser is located on the lake in the Penticton Lakeside Resort/Casino. As you wind your way back to Kelowna on highway 97 north look up in the mountains across the lake and try to imagine building a railway up there back at the turn of the century. This ride will take the better part of a day.
Jeff Kumagai I Freelance Motorcycle Rider
Enjoy your ride!
SALMON RIVER ROAD
A good day ride is to take the back way to Salmon Arm via Salmon River Road. From Kelowna you head north towards Vernon on Hwy. 97. Take the Bailey Road exit off the highway (At the large Predator Ridge Sign). Watch for it because there’s not much room to stop and make the turn left onto Bailey. You will come to a three way intersection turn right on Commonage Road, a smooth winding road that will take you into Vernon.
As you come down into Vernon go straight through the intersections until you see 30th Avenue. Turn left and go past the traffic circle, turn right shortly after on Alexis Park Drive. Alexis Park will turn into Old Kamloops Road. This is a great section of road that travels along a ridge above the valley overlooking Swan Lake. You also miss most of the Vernon traffic.
Salmon Arm is a full service community if you need a break there’s a nice wharf on Shuswap Lake that’s worth a look.
When you reach Hwy 97 turn left, you will pass Historic O’keefe Ranch (not a bad food or coffee stop). Watch for Salmon River Road on your right. Follow Salmon River Road to Hwy. 1 and Salmon Arm. Salmon Arm is a full service community if you need a break there’s a nice wharf on Shuswap Lake that’s worth a look. The Barley Station Brewpub is also a great stop for lunch. From Salmon Arm take Hwy. 1 to Hwy. 97B south back to Kelowna.
An interesting alternative route is to take the Black Road exit as you head South on 97B. This will take you up past Larch Hills Winery (specializing in cool climate wines). Black Road leads to Grandview Bench Road after a couple of nice switchbacks it intersects with Hwy. 97A. Turn right and you can take the highway back, turn left and few kilometers up the road is the Grindrod Riverfront Pub another popular stop for motorcycle riders and hot rodders. If you continue over the river and and make the first right (onto Enderby-Grindrod Rd.) this will take you the back way into Enderby.
On you’re way back you will pass through Enderby, Armstrong and Vernon. A popular food stop as you approach Vernon from the north is Squire’s Pub watch for it on your left.
Jeff Kumagai I Freelance Motorcycle Rider
Enjoy your ride!
WANDERING WINTHROP
With the 2021 riding season not far off I ponder the places I love to ride to every year. Without a doubt Winthrop Washington is a favorite for me and anyone I’ve taken there. I always think these places are well known but surprised to find many riders have not been there or taken the alternate routes I’ve discovered.
You can make Winthrop a good day trip if you leave early enough in the morning, it’s about 3-4 hours each way so heading there for lunch is good excuse to go for ride, not that we need one. Originally gold brought the first settlers to the area know as the Methow valley, today Winthorp is a popular tourist town with a western theme originally conceived by local businesses in the 70’s.
To get to Winthrop you head south from Kelowna it’s about 2 hours to the border (don’t forget your passport) on Highway 97. Across the border the highway is now U.S. Route 97 you will pass through the towns of Oroville, Tonasket and Omak, I caution you to watch the 25 mph speed limits as you pass through. Just beyond Omak on 97 you will pass the fairgrounds on your right and then the local Casino watch the signs for the Hwy 20 exit to your right. You will cross over a river and make a left onto Hwy 20 also known as the Cascades Hwy. Hwy 20 is in my opinion one of the best roads in Washington and the section from 97 to Winthrop is no exception. The road climbs from desert into heavy forest and down into the arid Methow Valley, traffic is usually light and the road has many great curves and hairpin corners. Deer are a real problem in the area, as you will see by the “deer kill”signs so you have to stay alert.
As you drop out of the forested area your first town will be Twisp Washington, it’s worth checking out the downtown area on your way through. The Twisp River Pub is a good place to stop for food and they claim to be one of the smallest commercial breweries in the world? There are interesting places eat in Winthrop just 12 minutes further down the highway.
Although Winthrop can be done in a day it really is a great overnight stop so you can take your time walking the boardwalk and checking out the shops and restaurants, who can resist stopping at places with names like “Three Fingered Jack’s Saloon” or the “Old School House Brewery. If you are going to stay, the Hotel Rio Vista, just on your left as you enter the town, is a great place. I’ve stayed there many times. There are also several campgrounds close by. The best kept secret for camping in Winthrop is the Pine Near RV park, one block above the towns main street. You can set up camp and walk through the free mining museum into town. If you’re lucky you’ll get to meet Anna, the owner of the park. You can even book a Tee-pee for a room!
As will all my rides I like to explore and find alternative roads so when you leave town to head home consider these – I show them on the map. Hwy 20’s a great ride in but if want to see some different scenery head back to Twisp and just as you pass through watch for Twisp Carlton road on your right, this takes you on a more scenic route and eventually hooks up back with 153, The Methow Valley Hwy.,153 takes you a little further south but it is a beautiful highway the follows the river eventually intersecting with Route 97. The next good side road is found heading north on 97 just pased Brewster you make a left on Old Highway 97, it’s easy to miss this turnoff so watch for it just as you are leaving town. This highway will take you to Highway 20 just south of Okanogan where you can take the cutoff for 97 (it’s well signed). I prefer wandering through the countryside rather than blasting down the main highway, there’s one more detour on the way north just before you reach Tonasket you will see a left exit for Highway 7, this road will keep you off highway 97 all the way to Oroville and the border. It’s very scenic and who know’s what you will discover along the way.
Jeff Kumagai I Freelance Motorcycle Rider
Enjoy your ride!
CHECKING OUT CHESAW – WASHINGTON
There are many great motorcycle rides in the Okanagan area one of my favorite day rides is just south of the border in Washington. The roads are great and there are a couple of interesting stops along the way. The town of Chesaw was apparently named after a Chinese settler makes for an interesting destination ride through some great backcountry.
This is the route I like to take. From Kelowna take Hwy. 33 over to Rock Creek. Take Hwy. 3 East until you reach Midway, there’s a small border crossing at Midway that’s open (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM). There is also a great campground in Midway. Once you cross the border (you will need a passport) the road follows the Kettle River south, you want to follow the signs to Curlew on West Kettle River Road. Once you reach Curlew take Highway 21 South to the town of Republic, a small western-themed town with all services.
Watch for the HWY 20 West signs in town and head for Wauconda. Don’t be looking for a large settlement at Wauconda, there isn’t one, but this is where you exit and take Toroda Creek Road to Chesaw. You will pass by the ghost town of Bodie where a few log buildings remain and shortly after make a left onto Oroville-Toroda Creek Road toward Chesaw. Follow this route and you will wind your way to the community of Chesaw. There’s great old saloon and general store worth investigating. Chesaw hosts a major rodeo each summer.
The town of Chesaw was named after a Chinese settler…
As you leave Chesaw and head west there is one more interesting side trip (if you like old ghost towns). Watch for Molson Rd. on your right this leads to the ghost town of Molson (No Services) there’s a great museum in the old schoolhouse. If you’re on a road bike you will probably return the way you came in as the road is paved. There appears to be a back way out on gravel if you’re into a little exploring. Once you’re back on Chesaw Rd. head west towards Oroville and Hwy 97 North back to Osoyoos and Canada.
There’s another interesting route in Oroville. Watch for the road to Loomis (Orville-Loomis Rd.). The road loops around past Palmer Lake and will connect back on 97 south of Oroville.
Enjoy your ride!
Jeff Kumagai I Freelance Motorcycle Rider
COALMONT BC
Here’s an interesting ride to a small semi-ghost town on the KVR (Kettle Valley Railway) about 16 kms from Princeton. Coalmont was established in 1912 and as the name suggests it was a coal mining community. There are still a handful of residents and a few buildings remain, the most prominent is the Coalmont Hotel.
It’s an easy ride south on Hwy. 97 when you reach Penticton stay on 97 and follow the channel between Lake Okanagan and Skaha Lake. When you reach Skaha Lake you will have to turn right at the lights. You’ll follow Hwy. 97 as it rises above Skaha Lake take the Hwy. 3A cutoff to Keremeos and Princeton. This is a great section of winding two lane highway as the road climbs and eventually drops you back down into Keremeos, a small fruit growing community. There are a number of good fruit stands and a historic Grist Mill in Keremeos (In case you were wondering Grist is grain that has been separated from its chaff?).
An alternative route and local favourite motorcycle ride is Green Mountain Road. In Penticton, you will make a right turn along the channel towards Apex Ski Resort. After an amazing twisty ride through the forest the road will end at Highway 3A where you can head south and continue on to Keremeos.
To reach Coalmont you take Hwy. 3 west towards Princeton, don’t be surprised if you are pushing a heavy headwind, the wind really howls through this valley. The road is great with smooth sweeping curves and excellent scenery. The next town on the route is Hedley. The Mascot Mine looms overhead and you can take a tour but you need an entire day. If your on a dual sport there’s an incredible climb up Hedley-Nickleplate Road, it’s all gravel, narrow and steep but the view from the top is impressive. This road will take you back to Penticton via Apex Ski Resort. A nice diversion on the way to Princeton is Old Hedley Road it runs on the opposite side of the river and better suited to motorcycle riding.
Continue on Hwy. 3 until you reach Princeton. There are signs indicating the way to Coalmont, it’s not a long ride in but if you’re low on fuel fill up in Princeton. The road into Coalmont is narrow and only one lane wide in some places, watch for rocks. It’s paved all the way to town but turns to gravel shortly after that. There were not services in Coalmont last time I was there. If you’re on a street bike you will probably prefer to return to Princeton and take 5A north and then 97C back to Kelowna. If you’re on a dual sport you can continue past Coalmont through Tulameen eventually you will intersect with Hwy. 5A just south of Hwy. 97C near Aspen Grove (No Services). This highway is commonly referred to as the “connector” and will take you back to Kelowna. This trip will take you the better part of a day to complete.
Enjoy your ride!
Jeff Kumagai I Freelance Motorcycle Rider
LOGAN LAKE LOOP
Note as of January 2023 Highway 8 is open but still under repair after being washed out check with Drive BC on conditions.
Imagine being at the very centre of some of BC’s best motorcycle roads where the only serious traffic your likely to encounter is a cattle drive. Hours of winding and twisting highway dotted with historic ranches, buildings, pristine lakes and cowboy culture! For most riders it’s all about the journey and the area surrounding Logan Lake doesn’t disappoint the seasoned rider.
If you’re travelling west it’s hard to beat the ride up the Frasier Canyon from Hope to Spences Bridge. The geography changes as you wind your way east on Hwy 8 following the Nicola River to Merritt. Merritt is situated in the heart the Nicola Valley and home of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Douglas Lake Ranch , Canada’s largest working cattle ranch.
For riders travelling over the Coquihalla from Vancouver watch for Coldwater Road as you approach Merritt, this is popular motorcycle back road that winds it’s way into Merritt following the meander of the Coldwater River.
The Logan Lake area offers many great day rides that allow you to explore the area, enjoy the roads, scenery and local history. On Hwy 5A just north of Merritt take a break and step back in time at the historic Quilchena Hotel which opened in 1908. Highway 5A runs north to Kamloops and is a better motorcycle road than the busier Highway 5.
Kamloops offers riders a few great “lesser known” roads, one I like is Shuswap Rd. E with follows the north shore of the South Thompson River out of Kamloops, you can cross back over the river at Pritchard and reconnect with the Trans Canada Hwy., be aware that there is a gravel section as you approach Pritchard.
Heading east from Logan Lake through Kamloops towards the Okanagan Valley a side road worth taking is Barnhartvale Road, this is a windy, less travelled route that twists it’s way through some beautiful back country and intersects back with Highway 97.
This area offers the motorcycle rider so much great terrain and you could spend days trying to cover it all. I recently discovered yet another great road, Tunkwa Road, which heads north from Logan Lake, this once gravel road is now paved and ends at Highway 97 just east of Savona, a small community of approximately 650 and a former stagecoach stop! Continue west on 97 to Cache Creek and south to Ashcroft on Highway 97C and back to Logan Lake and you will have ridden some of the best roads BC has to offer.
Jeff Kumagai I Freelance Motorcycle Rider
NICKLEPLATE LOOP (Gravel & Steep sections)
This loop is for riders on Dual Sports or Adventure bikes looking for a taste of back road riding and a little adventure. Heading south from Kelowna on Hwy 97, exit at the main Summerland turn off (this will be Rosedale Ave). There’s a gas station at the exit and it’s not a bad idea to check your fuel and top up. Continue along Rosedale Ave. which turns into Prairie Valley Road, stay on Prairie Valley and watch for Doherty Ave and turn right, next turn left on Bathville Rd. Princeton Summerland Road will be a hard right turn it’s a three way intersection. Once on Princeton Summerland it’s easy to navigate. The road is paved for a while but will turn into a good gravel road and end up paved again as you approach Princeton. The road in some sections follows the Kettle Valley Railway route and the Trans Canada Trail. There are a few lakes and few very small communities. Jura is close to Princeton and your next (left) turn is onto Old Hedley Road, it might be signed as Hwy 7. The road runs on the north side of the Similkameen River. This is a good motorcycle road that heads east toward Hedley and keeps you off the main highway (Hwy 3) for a while. Eventually the road ends and you have to take Hwy 3 east towards Hedley for a short distance.
The town of Hedley is an interesting stop with the old mine looming high on the cliffs above. It’s a town worth exploring and there are a few interesting attractions to hunt for, like the what I like to call the “windshield greenhouse” it been there randomly over the years. There’s also a junk store that was apparently a car dealership back in 30’s according to the proprietor who sells artifacts found around the mine. Needless to say Hedley and its inhabitants make for an interesting stop. There was also a very unique art museum at one time but I’ve learned that you never know what will be there or not on each return visit. The Hitching Post was a good lunch spot but apparently it burned down. Next time through I will update this post.
The next part of this ride is where the adventure begins. Heading east on Hwy 3 just outside Hedley watch for Nickle Plate Road on your left (it not well marked, and it’s not an major road) I caution you, if you are not comfortable on single lane, dirt roads with hairpin switch backs or you have a fear of heights, this is not the route for you. Nickle Plate road heads up the side of the mountain and you have to use extreme caution to avoid on coming vehicles, even the tour bus for the Mascot Mine uses this road. Keep your momentum up, and watch as far up the mountain as possible and you’ll be rewarded at the top with an incredible view of the the valley below. Nickle Plate Road levels out after the climb and makes it’s way over to Apex Ski area above Penticton and ends right in the village where the pavement begins again. Another great part of this ride is the ride down from Apex that ultimately ends at Green Mountain Road. One of the areas favorite sport bike roads. To head back to Kelowna take a left on Green Mountain Road and head north when you hit Highway 97 in Penticton.
Jeff Kumagai I Freelance Motorcycle Rider
DREAM MUSEUM RIDE
In the summer of 2022, I took a group of BMW riders on a day ride that included a visit and tour of the Dreamcycle Motorcycle Museum in Sorrento BC. The owner Mark Lane proved that dreams do come true when he turned his private collection into this amazing museum. I planned to lead the group the back way from Kelowna through Vernon, Salmon Arm, and on to the museum for a tour and lunch and then take an interesting route back. This turned out to be a great day of riding so I thought I would share it here. It takes about 2 hours each way with an hour or two at the museum.To get there head north from Kelowna on Highway 97 and take the Baily Road exit (at the Predator Ridge Sign) The road winds uphill and intersects with Commonage Road where you’ll turn right. Follow it into Vernon passing the Vernon Military Camp, Commonage turns into Mission Road then 34th Street. At the bottom of the hill continue through the stop light and take a left at the next stop light onto 30th Avenue. Follow 30th through the traffic circle and turn right on 37th Street, the next stop light. 37th Street becomes Alexis Park Drive and then Old Kamloops Road at 43rd Avenue. This scenic route will take you past Swan Lake and you’ll bypass most Vernon traffic.
Old Vernon Road will eventually intersect with Highway 97. Take a left at the stop sign and stay on 97 past the O’keefe Ranch and Sun Valley Speedway until you see the cut-off for Salmon River Road on your right. This is one of my favorite roads to ride as it winds its way through the country with some nice curvy sections and scenery. There’s fuel and a small store at Silver Creek.
As you approach Salmon Arm the road straightens out passing by Mount Ida on your right. You’ll zig-zag turning right onto 70th Street SW and then onto 50th Avenue SW, there’s a stop sign at the intersection of 50th Ave and Foothill Road. Turn left on 50th. 50th will intersect with Highway 1 there’s a lot of road work going on so watch for signs to Highway 1 North or Tappen. Take Highway 1 North through Tappen and watch for the Blind Bay Sign and Chevron Station, the Dreamcycle Museum will be on your left. This route sounds more complicated than it is but worth the effort to stay out of traffic and ride some good roads. You can have a good lunch at the museum in Sprokkets Cafe and pick up some cool swag at the Museum store.
You could just take the highway back to Kelowna but I had a better motorcycle route planned and some of the more spirited riders took to the challenge
You could just take the highway back to Kelowna but I had a better motorcycle route planned and some of the more spirited riders took to the challenge. From the museum, we headed south on Highway 1 through Salmon Arm taking the Vernon exit on 97B. Your next turn is a left onto Grandview Bench Road, watch for the sign. Grandview Bench was freshly paved with some nice switchbacks and elevation changes. I must say the group following me was up to the task, and experienced, and needless to say we made good time over the bench. There were a few tight corners with some loose gravel to watch for so pay attention.
Grandview Bench Road ends at Hwy 97A. At the stop sign, we turned left and headed toward Grindrod. The Riverfront Pub is a good food stop and popular biker bar and Gordons New and Used Hubcaps Shop is an interesting place to check out if it’s open. For this tour, we continued across the bridge over the Shuswap River and made the first right onto Enderby Grindrod Road. This road meanders its way through the country eventually ending in Enderby at Mabel Lake Road. At the stop sign turn right towards town and just after the bridge turn left onto Vernon Street at the Bargain Shop. At the next stop sign turn right onto Back Enderby Road and then Left onto Highway 97A. Be ready to right at the Esso Station onto Canyon Road.
Canyon Road is a fun twisty road but be aware there are often some bumpy sections in corners to watch for. It will turn into Lansdowne Road, then Sleepy Hollow Road, and at the stop sign turn left onto Highland Park Road. At the next stop sign in Armstrong, turn right onto Wood Avenue, and just before the railway tracks turn left onto Otter Lake Road. There is a row of large old trees that create a canopy over the first section and then the road continues past Otter Lake and it’s usually traffic free. Otter Lake Road ends at St. Annes Road where you’ll turn left back to Highway 97. At this point, if you’re running late you can take the highway back to town or ride one of the best motorcycle roads in the area, Westside Road. Turn right onto 97 and watch for Westside Road on your left or the Bear Creek-Fintry turn-off. Once on Westside Road, the first part is on the reserve but as you head south the turns get tighter and the scenery more impressive. A word of caution as there are some very narrow sections, and very tight corners, watch for deer and there’s often a herd of BigHorn Sheep on the road as you get further south.
This ride was one of my favorites in 2022 you can take the route outlined here (my recommendation of course) or just head out on the highway to check out the Museum. It’s definitely worth the ride!
Jeff Kumagai I Freelance Motorcycle Rider 2022