Gears, Beers & Best Friends | A 240km Okanagan Ride

In the summer of 2001 seven middle-aged men, young at heart embarked on a five-day 240-kilometer mountain bike ride. It may sound daunting at first but we stayed in lodging every night and as you read on, you’ll see that it was a far cry from extreme, as a matter of fact, every night was boys’ night out!

We started our journey in Penticton and looped through the rail corridor which is now the abandoned Kettle Valley Railway which enters Midway and circles back to Penticton.

The dreaded Anarchist Mountain! A 4.8 % grade and a 17 km climb.
Year 2001

Day 1…Penticton to Osoyoos!
62 km

These 62 kilometers seemed to fly by as we were propelled strictly by adrenaline and excitement! The highlight on this leg was a stop at a fruit stand where I ordered up seven softball-size peaches. They were so fresh that they spit back with every bite. Not sure when we were done what was sweat and what was peach juice! So delicious that 20 years later I still remember that Okanagan treat.

Preparing for this trip, six of us trained for about a year to prepare, however, my younger brother Bill had not. On the first day of our trip, he stayed right with us. The next day not so much…

Day 2…Osoyoos to Rock Creek!
50 km

On the second day, we left Osoyoos after breakfast at A&W and started on our 50 km grunt. What lied ahead was the dreaded Anarchist Mountain. These first two days on our trip were still on the main highways prior to arriving at Midway. Hwy 3 from Osoyoos to Rock Creek beckoned us with this menacing hill. A 4.8 % grade and a 17 km climb. As we tackled the hill in the mid-day, sweltering and excruciating Okanagan heat we were rewarded with spectacular aerial views of Osoyoos Lake. As we climbed we would pull into these rest stop/viewpoints and a roll-call would commence as each cyclist huffed and puffed their way in. One to seven was barked out in unison as each biker arrived celebrating we were all still alive and still together!
Eventually, we reached the summit and the road flattened out. At this point, I was quite concerned for my brother with his lack of training and dehydration seemed to be creeping in. He was lagging behind so I hung back somewhat to make sure he was going to be ok. At one point up the road while checking back at him through binoculars I noticed a van pulled up beside him. The van stopped and it appears a brief conversation transpired. My brother then shook his head and they drove off. Brother Bill was going to do this. At that very moment, I noticed in the desert sky there was a bird circling eerily above him!
We continued down Hwy 3 and at the tail end of this day’s ride, we were blessed with amusement-like, roller-coaster descent into Rock Creek. Downhill, wind in our faces, and no peddling needed!
Later that night we labeled my brother with a nickname that still sticks to this day “Buzzard Bait Billy “

That afternoon on our arrival we were all on the verge of heat exhaustion. Me and my buddy Dave decided to head to the Kettle River to cool off. As we entered the shallow waters of the river in just our spandex biking shorts we noticed the immediate sensation of the cold water on our bare feet.
Our next thought was this water is so cold how are we going to submerge? We started with just sitting which produced a sudden gasp from both of us. Now with water just flowing over our feet, our submerged butts, and with our arms caressing our knees because it was so damn cold but yet so refreshing. Our next maneuver generated a sensation equivalent to the most tantalizing physical experience you’ve ever had. We commenced to very slowly roll our backs into the cold water and as we inched closer to complete submersion we could feel each and every pore closing and screams of ecstasy echoed from the river valley!
Within minutes from the riverbank emerged our five companions wondering what the hell was going on! The male testosterone found a couple more guys in the water but they treated it like the polar bear dip and did not get the same sensation hence downplaying the experience.
All I know is that I craved a cigarette after we dried off. Kidding hahaha!

Dave and Cyril loving life in the cold and crisp Kettle River!
Year 2001

Day three… to the Beaverdell!
48 km

Now finally we are on the rail trail, an easy ride with only a 2% grade. This was a 48 km leisurely ride to Beaverdell. So relaxing that we often broke into campfire songs as we rode along in single file. One of our favorites as we neared our nightly destinations and feel free to sing out loud with me!! “Beer, beer, beer, beer! When we get together me and all my lads everyone remembers all the fun we had! Beer, beer beer beer!” Repeat about 30 times.

On arrival to Beaverdell, we stayed in the historic Beaverdell Hotel which unfortunately has since burnt down. The hotel which opened in 1901 had 7 rooms. We rented the whole hotel!

With seven best buddies, we were always game for anything and on his particular night we were wandering to the local watering hole and we notice the Firehall and an old fire truck. We struck up a conversation with the mechanic volunteer fireman there and before you knew it we asked if we could get a group picture with all the fireman gear and standing by the truck. A slight eye roll and he said go ahead.

The picture is a memory that we will now cherish for the rest of our lives as we have lost one of our members Frank DeWolf since that picture had been taken.

As the evening closed on this highlighted day and we were back at the hotel a phone call came in from a family member at about 8:30 pm (before cell phones were mainstream) and the caretaker Eugene said that this hotel’s sidewalks have been rolled up and the lights are out. Click! A big day it was.

The boys! Shown in order from top left to right……
Cyril, Scott, Dave, Guy, Bill, Frank, and Jim. Year 2001

The historic Beaverdell Hotel! and the crew! From left to right: Buzzard Bait Billy, Cyril, Jim, Dave, Frank, Scott, and Guy.
Year 2001.

Day 4…off to Chute Lake!
38 km

After a great sleep, off we left for the Chute Lake Lodge a 38 km dillydally jaunt. This morning was overcast as we set sail but yet still muggy and warm. We came along to Hydraulic Lake and as the mist hung over the lake, Dave and I again found ourselves again submerged floating like two otters without a care in the world. This time the water temperature was more like a tropical lagoon!
The next stretch on this trail provided us with the most visually breathtaking highlights of Myra Canyon. This section between Ruth and Myra Stations has 18 bridge trusses and 2 tunnels. A stunning stretch that is enjoyed by families and tour guides and can be accessed by day trips from Penticton or Kelowna. Expect it to be very busy for it is world-renowned!

Day Five…To Penticton!
40 km

Day Five was home sweet home to Penticton 40 km mostly downhill. Our only obstacle on the way home was this stubborn 1,000 lb bull that stood in our path and was not moving. We respected our superior and waited him out. Finally, we reached Penticton riding high in our bike saddles like cowboys returning from a cattle drive. Dusty, dry, dirty, and looking for whiskey and our women. Hahaha!

Thanks for reading!
Signed, Cyril Fowlie ( P.S. Sarah’s Step-dad. ) I am so proud of our Shuswap Adventure Girl. Love you Sarah