What a ride!!

Our route today: 60 miles, 24 on gravel. Elevation gain: 2,500'. Descent: 3,000' 6 hours

We have been looking forward to this ride for a while now. We had read about it a month ago and knew we wanted to try it. However, we were looking at the section of the Kettle Valley RailTrail which runs from Princeton to Summerland, B.C. However, once we started out on it, we realized very quickly that the condition of the trail was subpar, at best: very sandy and difficult to negotiate. Thank goodness the trail parallels a road that is partly paved and partly unpaved. We chose the road. What a ride it was, too! We knew it was going to take us a long time (potentially 8 hours, depending on the grades and amount of gravel) so we started early.

Leaving Princeton in the early morning

After a early breakfast, we were off on the trail at 8:00 AM. It was cold. The temperature was hovering in the 40's and the day felt like Fall was upon us. The rail to trail, which we started on, soon convinced us that the road was a much better option. Right away we encountered some steep uphills, notably "Mother In Law Hill" and never stopped climbing. Only when the pavement ran out about half way to our destination (3 hours into our ride), did the downhills begin, with little to no traffic. We were loving our ride at this point. The sun was fully up, temperatures had risen to 70 degrees, and the unpaved road was not to bad...we were rolling!

Andy starting up "Mother-in-Law" Hill. (of course, we were laughing)

And then, Andy , who usually rides ahead of me, startled something in the brush to the left of the road. I saw a flash of black scurry as fast as it's rolly-poly body could up a very steep and long embankment. I did not even have time to think to pull out my camera to capture the black bear! I do have a sighting, though! Pretty cool.

Looking down into the Okanagan Valley from the top of our climb.

The downhills of the gravel road were not to last. Soon enough, we encountered some steep uphills near the end, when we climbed high above the valley. I did get one gentleman who stopped his truck as he passed and applaud me as I neared the summit, which was much appreciated.

After 6 hours in the bicycle seat today, I must admit I was happy to finally head down to the town of Summerland. The town sits on the shores of the Okanagan Lake and is surrounded by incredibly beautiful farmland on the steep slopes going up to the highland we had just ridden through. I breathed in the intoxicating scent of ripe apples as we passed the many orchards on the decent. Summerland is a gorgeous town in a fantastic setting. I would love to spend more time here if I could.

The decent to Summerland past apple orchards.