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2026 Penticton Riding Camp
Where: Staging from the the park area near Lakewana Playground (Lakeshore Dr. and Power St.) in Penticton, BC.
When: 10am (unless otherwise noted) – Daily ride departure time from Sunday, April 26 to Saturday, May 2 (April 25 and May 3 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 10am from Lakewana Playground (Power St. and Lakeshore Dr.) unless otherwise noted.
Saturday
Arrive, get settled, spin your legs out if you feel like it.
Sunday • Day 1: Green Mountain Road
🎯 Focus: Climb Green Mountain, roll into OK Falls, return via Eastside Rd.
🕚 Start time 10am
📏 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)
- Gravel Route: Open to suggestions
🕐 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: Can be out-and-back if turning around at Apex turn-off or Apex climb. Loop if continuing down south side of Green Mountain Road and returning through OK Falls.
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3345832523877903724
GPX File: Green Mountain Road
🔄 Other Options
- Up and over Green Mountain Road. Turn right and up by Twin Lakes Golf Course. Straight shot to the Observatory and down the
highway to OK Falls. Your choice if you want McLean Creek Rd, or stick to Eastside Rd. 116km, 2200m climbing (w/ Apex); 96km, 1400m climbing (w/o Apex)
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3351732396399889440
GPX File: Penticton Camp Day 2a - Same as above, until in view of the Observatory. When you see the Observatory turn right onto Willowbrook Rd. Then left onto Green Lake Road, down The Wall to OK Falls. Your choice if you want McLean Creek Rd, or stick to Eastside Rd. 123km, 2300m climbing (w/Apex); 103km, 1500m climbing (w/o Apex)
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3351736341514144800
GPX File: Penticton Camp Day 2b - Gravel Route – open to suggestions.
📍Suggested Regroup Points:
- Base Group: On Green Mountain Road at turning point to Apex Mountain Resort.
- Extended Group: Apex Mountain Resort parking area.
💡Ride Tips:
- Group Selection: Climbing up Green Mountain Road will be a quick test of where each of our fitness levels are this year. I anticipate we’ll establish 2 groups, and will mostly stick to those groups for our riding throughout the week.
- Hydration: Carry sufficient water; limited refill points along the route.
- Gear Selection: Recommended compact gearing for the Apex climb.
- Safety: Watch out for wildlife and variable weather conditions at higher elevations.
Monday • Day 2: Oliver-and-Back
🎯 Focus: Communicating well in a pace line. A day that’s more about distance than climbing.
🕚 Start time 10am
📏 Distance: 100km
🕐 Duration: ~ 4 hrs
📈 Elevation Gain: ~800 m
🔄 Route Type: Mostly Flat(!) to Oliver and turning back on Saskatoon Ave from Black Sage Road.
🔄 Gravel Route: Good day to explore gravel options instead.
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3087428544548606790
GPX File: Oliver-Saskatoon-Bike-Path
📍Suggested Regroup Points:
- OK Falls
- Vaseux Lake Campground (public toilet break)
- Oliver
Tuesday • Day 3: Remote Start – Camp Boyle + Garnet Valley Explorer
🎯 Focus: Sustained climbing and terrain variety
🕙 Start time 9:30am leaving Penticton to drive to Sun-Oka
📍 Start Location: Sun-Oka Beach Provincial Park, Summerland
📏 Distance:
- Base Route: ~60 km
- Extended (includes Garnet Valley): ~80 km
- Ambitious Add-On: ~85 km w/ Giant’s Head, amazing views, sharp gradients (10–12%), tight switchbacks
- Gravel Route: Open to suggestions. Both Camp Boyle and Garnet Valley have gravel point turnarounds. Maybe you want to explore one of these further? You can also try riding a more rugged section of the KVR directly from Penticton (east side of Okanagan River Channel) into Summerland. Find your way to either Camp Boyle or Garnet Valley from there.
🕐 Duration:
- Base: 2.5–3 hrs
- Extended: 3.5 hrs
- Ambitious: 4+ hrs
📈 Elevation Gain:
- Base: ~800 m
- Extended: ~1,150 m
- Ambitious: ~1,300+ m
Full Loop Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3349191811288430166
GPX File: Sun-Oka Provincial Park
📍Suggested Regroup Points:
- Camp Boyle Sign Pullout
- End of pavement on Garnet Valley Rd
- Giant’s Head Summit Viewpoint
💡Ride Tips:
- Bring at least 2 bottles and backup nutrition
- Maybe get together tonight for post-ride pizza and Oilers Game 5 (if necessary) against the Ducks
Wednesday • Day 4: Naramata Bench Spin or KVR Adventure Loop
🎯 Focus: Active recovery. If fatigue is high, there’s no shame taking the day off. Get ready for a big day tomorrow.
🕚 Start time 10am
📏 Distance:
- Option 1 (Bench Spin): 40–50 km
- Option 2 (KVR Gravel Loop): ~65 km
🕐 Duration:
- Option 1: ~2 hrs
- Option 2: ~3–3.5 hrs
📈 Elevation Gain:
- Option 1: ~500 m
- Option 2: ~750 m
🔄 Route Type:
- Option 1: Out-and-back
- Option 2: Mixed-surface loop
✅Route Descriptions:
Option 1: Naramata Bench Spin
- Naramata Rd to village + return. I suggest staying away from Indian Rock and Chute Lake to keep it easy
- Add small detours to Poplar Grove Rd or Munson Mountain viewpoints
- Casual coffee stop or bakery visit in Naramata before spinning back to Penticton
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3349422590243254708
GPX File: Naramata Bench Spin
Option 2: KVR Adventure Loop
- Start from Tiki Shores and climb up to the Kettle Valley Rail Trail access point via Vancouver Ave
- Enter the KVR Trail, a well-packed gravel path
- Ride to the Little Tunnel (~11–12 km up) for incredible views
- Continue north to Parking–Kettle Valley Trail Access near Chute Lake Rd
- Descend via Chute Lake Rd (paved) → Orchard Lane → Naramata Wharf
- Return to Penticton with a side stop at Munson Mountain Lookout
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3349455595926657180
GPX File: KVR Adventure Loop
📍Suggested Regroup Points:
- Naramata Village (Option 1 and 2)
- Little Tunnel Viewpoint (Option 2)
- Chute Lake Rd turn (Option 2)
💡Ride Tips:
- Tire Pressure: Use slightly lower PSI when doing the KVR loop (especially if you’re on 28c+ tires)
- KVR Surface: Usually well-graded but expect light gravel and dust—road bikes are fine if ridden carefully
- Post-Ride Plan: Drop in at The Bench Coffee Shop (if open) for a bite to eat! Wayne & Freda’s (Winnipeg St & Westminster Ave) is the other coffee shop option.
- Review next-day Queen Stage plans and ask questions today! Keep a bit in the tank, because tomorrow is a big day.
Thursday • Day 5: Queen Stage – Penticton Ironman Bike Course Loop
🎯 Focus: Endurance, fuelling, mental pacing
🕘 Start Time 9am
📏 Distance: ~170 km
🕐 Duration: 7 hrs – Plan to leave no later than 9am
📈 Elevation Gain: ~1,800 m
🔄 Route Type: Large loop
🔄 Gravel Route: Open to suggestions
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3084215969313818308
GPX File: Almost the Ironman
📍Suggested Ironman Regroup Points:
- Osoyoos Visitor Centre – water & snacks before heading to Keremeos
- Top of Richter Pass – photo stop, short regroup
- Subway/Canco Gas Station, Hwy 3 and Hwy 3a in Keremeos – refuel stop
- Yellow Lake summit or Twin Lakes gas station (if bypassing the Green Mountain return)
- Intersection of Apex Mountain Road and Green Mountain Road – after all the climbing for the day has been finished!
Anarchist 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/3349470429971770458
GPX File: Penticton to Anarchist Sasquatch
📍Suggested Anarchist Regroup Points:
- Osoyoos Visitor Centre – water & snacks before heading up Anarchist
- Sasquatch Statue – peak of Anarchist, group photo-op, rehydrate, refuel and layer up for the descent back into Osoyoos
- Tim Hortons on Crowsnest Hwy in Osoyoos – Refuel before riding back to Penticton
🧠Coaching Points:
- Nutrition game plan is critical: aim for 60–90g carbs/hr
- Today is all about mental pacing: “Ride the second half strong”
- Great opportunity to focus on aero positioning and efficiency on any downhills and into any headwinds (there will be many!)
- Through and off rolling group rotations on flatter sections to keep everyone fresh and strong the whole day.
💡Ride Tips:
- Bring ID, debit/credit card, spare tubes (even tubeless riders!), mini-pump, CO2
- Soft regrouping—no long waits unless absolutely necessary
Friday • Day 6: OK Falls Loop
🎯 Focus: Group riding skills, smooth tempo riding, drafting efficiency
🕚 Start time 10am
📏 Distance:
- Base Route: ~50 km
- Extended Route (includes Secrest Hill): ~80 km
🕐 Duration:
- Base Route: ~2 hours
- Extended Route (Secrest Hill): ~3.5 hours
📈 Elevation Gain:
- Base: ~650 m
- Extended: ~950–1,000 m
🔄 Route Type: Large loop with a natural short/long split option. On the Extended Route return, extra distance and climbing can be included by leaving OK Falls via McLean Creek Rd, instead of riding more directly using Eastside Road immediately upon leaving OK Falls.
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3345839155112932716
GPX File: OK Falls + Secrest
📍Suggested Regroup Points:
- Base and Extended Group: Kenyon Park in OK Falls – Facilities available; good spot for a brief rest and refuel.
- Extended Group: Canco Gas +One Stop Convenience – Natural pause before tackling Secrest Hill Road.
- Extended Group: Intersection of Secrest Road and Willowbrook Road – Natural pause after tackling Secrest.
- Extended Group: Intersection of Green Lake Road and Okanagan Highway – Final regroup after descending The Wall and reaching OK Falls, before the return leg to Penticton.
💡Ride Tips:
- Hydration & Nutrition: Carry sufficient fluids and snacks; limited resupply points on extended route.
- Safety: Be cautious at intersections, especially when transitioning from rural roads to busier highways.
- Equipment: Ensure your bike is in good working order, particularly brakes and gears, due to varied terrain.
- 🍽️Post-Ride Celebration Dinner 6:30pm at Salty’s Beach House, Hooded Merganser, Hillside Winery Bistro, Pizzeria Tratto
Saturday • Day 7: Recovery Ride – Skaha Bluff Spin
🎯 Focus: Recovery, mobility, and social riding
🕚 Start time 10am
📏 Distance: ~30–35 km
🕐 Duration: 1.5 hours
📈 Elevation Gain: ~200–250 m
🔄 Route Type: Out-and-back
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3349183700062661206
GPX File: Skaha Bluff Spin
If you’re still feeling strong today, check out one of the Optional Routes listed below.
Optional Routes
Of course you can also choose your own adventure. Besides all of the above routes, here are a few others you might like:
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
Head to OK Falls, climb The Wall and head back via Green Mountain Road, 110km, ~4:15hrs.
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3084217823933229588
GPX File: OK Falls – The Wall – Green MTN
Naramata Bench plus Optional Climbs, ride the Naramata Bench beyond Naramata, drop down at Indian Rock and climb up to Chute Lake, 55km, ~2:15hrs.
Strava Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/3345822698471955518
GPX File: Naramata Shakeout Ride
Sunday
Travel day to return home.
Please email Coach Kevin to let him know your plans to attend: [email protected]
Accommodations: Penticton is your best bet.
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