2025 Penticton Riding Camp
April 26 - May 4
Where: Staging from the Tiki Shores Motel in Penticton, BC.
When: 11am (unless otherwise noted) – Daily ride departure time from Sunday, April 27 to Saturday, May 3 (April 26 and May 4 are expected travel days for most). Please arrive each day about 15 minutes before
What: Various routes and distances throughout the week. See the planned riding routes below.
How: Please download the ride route from Strava or GPX. With the route on-hand, you can always return on your own if you want to cut your ride short.
Itinerary
All rides start at 11am from Tiki Shores, unless otherwise noted.
Saturday
Travel day, arriving in Penticton
Sunday • Day 1: Shakeout Ride – Naramata Warm-Up Loop
Focus: Activation, easy spin, high cadence on declines, equipment check, group dynamic intro
Distance:
- Base Route: ~35 km
- Extended Option A (Indian Rock): ~45 km
- Extended Option B (Chute Lake Rd): ~55–60 km (to pavement end)
Duration:
- Base: ~1.5 hrs
- Extended: 2–2.5 hrs
Elevation Gain:
- Base: ~350 m
- Indian Rock: ~550 m
- Chute Lake Rd: ~700–800 m
Route Type: Out-and-back with optional looped extensions
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3345822698471955518
GPX File: Naramata Shakeout Ride
Suggested Regroup Points:
- Naramata Village Park or Café
- North Naramata turnaround (near Indian Rock pullout)
- Top of paved section on Chute Lake Road
Ride Tips:
- Wineries & Cafés are great for photo ops or casual snacks (though maybe wait for Day 7 for wine
) - Chute Lake Climb is quiet and scenic but has steep kickers—turn back if this feels like too much too soon
- Extended riders: save legs for the (optional) FTP test day tomorrow!
Monday • Day 2: FTP Test Day – Green Mountain Road
Focus: Functional Threshold Power (FTP) Testing (2x 8-minute version, on steady incline of Green Mountain Road), Climbing Technique
Distance:
- Base Route: ~55 km (~85 km if looping all the way back through OK Falls)
- Extended Route: ~80–85 km (Out-and-back to Apex only)
Duration:
- Base Route: 2.5–3 hours
- Extended Route: 3.5–4 hours
Elevation Gain:
- Base Route: ~800 m
- Extended Route: ~1,500 m
Route Type: Out-and-back with optional extended climb
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3345832523877903724
GPX File: FTP Test – Green Mountain Road
Coaching Points:
FTP Test Protocol:
- Warm-Up: 20–30 minutes, including 2x 1-minute high-cadence efforts.
- Test Efforts: 2x 8-minute maximal steady-state efforts with a 10-minute recovery in between.
- Cool Down: 15–20 minutes of easy spinning.
- Pacing: Even pacing during test efforts; avoid starting too hard.
- Data Recording: Ensure you record power and heart rate data for post-ride analysis.
- Extended Group: Focus on sustained climbing techniques and energy management during the Apex Mountain ascent.
Suggested Regroup Points:
- Base Group: Turnaround point on Green Mountain Road after FTP test and recovery.
- Extended Group: Apex Mountain Resort parking area.
Ride Tips:
- Hydration: Carry sufficient water; limited refill points along the route.
- Nutrition: Consume a carbohydrate-rich snack post-FTP test to aid recovery.
- Gear Selection: Recommend compact gearing for the Apex climb.
- Safety: Watch out for wildlife and variable weather conditions at higher elevations.
Tuesday • Day 3: Paceline Practice + OK Falls Loop
Focus: Group riding skills, smooth tempo riding, drafting efficiency
Distance:
- Base Route: ~50 km
- Extended Route: ~80 km
Duration:
- Base Route: ~2 hours
- Extended Route: ~3.5 hours
Elevation Gain:
- Base: ~650 m
- Extended: ~950–1,000 m
Route Type: Large loop with a natural short/long split option
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3345839155112932716
GPX File: Paceline Practice + Seacrest
Wednesday
Recovery Day. Ride to Naramata, perhaps for coffee there or back at The Bench in Penticton. 50km (max.), ~2:00hrs
Another option for some is to ride the smooth gravel of the KVR from Penticton all the way to the Little Tunnel above Naramata. Then drop down to the paved roads to return.
Pavement option:
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/18505696
GPX File: Naramata Nevermind
KVR option:
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3085753463777822258
GPX File: KVR-Little Tunnel-Naramata
Winery tour options in the afternoon on your own.
TBD: Group dinner 6:30pm at Pizzeria Tratto.
Thursday – The “Queen” Stage
Leave from Tiki Shores at 9am and drive across the border to Oroville, WA, and park at Osoyoos Lake Veteran’s Memorial Park.
Bring your passport!
Today we’ll drive down to Oroville for a potentially warm and fantastic ride through some scenic terrain. The full CCW loop is 130km, ~5:25. Two shorter options are just the east or west portions of this loop. Western loop is 81km, ~3:25hrs. Eastern loop is 90km, ~3:44hrs.
Full Loop Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3083835209821252934
GPX File: Full Oroville Loop
Western Loop Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/18635222
GPX File: Oroville West
Eastern Loop Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/18635260
GPX File: Oroville East
1st Canadian Ride Option – If you’re not crossing the border, then it will be an IRONMAN day, 167km, 7hrs. Plan to leave no later than 9am.
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3084215969313818308
GPX File: Almost the Ironman
2nd Canadian Ride Option – Depart with the IRONMAN group and part ways in Osoyoos, where you’ll head east and climb Anarchist, up to the Sasquatch statue. 170km, 6:30hrs. Plan to leave no later than 9am.
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/2953153403275975442
GPX File: Penticton to Anarchist Sasquatch
Friday
Start time 10am.
Oliver to Golf Course Road (similar to the last half of the Penticton Gran Fondo), 100km, ~4:15hrs
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/2954444695410528228
GPX File: Oliver-Golf Course-Kaleden
An alternate route that’s shorter, but similar, is climbing Secrest instead of Golf Course when leaving Oliver, 80km, ~3:20hrs
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3083842018914408836
GPX File: Oliver-Secrest-The Wall
Saturday
Start Time 10am.
Whew! After a big week, if you’ve still got the legs we can do a similar route to our first day, but riding in the opposite direction. 110km, ~4:15hrs.
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3084217823933229588
GPX File: OK Falls – The Wall – Green MTN
Saturday Easy Option Update
100km, 800m elevation, 4hrs
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3087428544548606790
GPX File: Oliver-Saskatoon-Bike-Path
Sunday
Travel day to return home.
Please email Coach Kevin to let him know your plans to attend: coaching@VelocityCyclingClub.ca
Accommodations: Many of us will be staying at the Tiki Shores Motel, 914 Lakeshore Dr W, Penticton, BC. Phone to book your own room: (250)-492-8769
Emergency Action Plan (EAP)
Always carry your ID.
If any mishap happens to you or another rider in your group:
- Ensure you are safely off the road.
- Call 911
- Station a rider to direct traffic away from the scene.
- While waiting for 911 help to arrive, administer any first aid you know that will help.
- Send a cyclist for help if necessary, or to direct emergency services to the site.
- Nearest Hospital is: Penticton Regional Hospital, 550 Carmi Ave, Penticton, BC V2A 3G6