December 12, 1998
Colin Young cyoung@wimsey.com
Tulameen forest fire
We biked on the KVR and particularly enjoyed the hopitality of Burt Sharkey's
horse motel en route to Brookmere. Soon after that we heard about the forest
fires ravaging the Tulameen area. Does anybody know how badly the KVR suffered
in the fires, and whether Burt was affected?
Oct 24, 1998
paul mallory pgmbarrie@on.aibn.com
where does trail start outside vancouver?
visiting vancouver dec 4 for 10 days-would like to know if someone know a good
circular route inland from vancouver using part of the trail system. i am using
hybrid bike
thanks
paul
October 2, 1998
Barbara Craig
km 22.8 Carmi Sub
I recently bought 2 copies of your book (1997) "Cycling the Kettle
Valley Railway" to give to my two biking daughters.
However, I was and am very indignant and disappointed in your description of
km 22.8 (Midway to Penticton) and wonder how much more of your publication is
not accurate. I am the owner of that property and neither of you has ever spoken
to me though I have lived here since 1995.
Your paragraph "the electric fence has no other purpose than to keep cyclists
from crossing the railbed" is a complete and utter falsehood. You would
be wise to insert a retraction in all future publications - indeed in future
sales. And the metal gate you describe has never been locked - only closed against
the cattle which roam the adjoining pasture and rangeland. The padlocks are
used as weights.
The 8 foot fence was built in an attempt to keep deer and elk out of the fields
and gardens. It has never been electrified but if ever it is it will
be against large animals, not bikers. Three years ago a small gate on the south
end of this property was repeatedly left open by bikers so my son installed
a large gate. I am planning to put in a more manable gate sometime soon.
Several Bikers - 2 groups from Calgary and a couple from Germany amonst them
- have stopped to speak to me as I worked in my garden. I was able to direct
them. Incidentally they remarked that the road had a better biking surface than
the railbed. Also the road has shade whilst the railbed has none.
In the future it would be courteous and wise of you to speak to the landowners
before writing incorrect information for publication.
Yours truly,
Barbara Craig
P.S. An electric fence is not harmful to people and only one strand of wire
carries the current. Perhaps you know this. Just a point of interest, most people
know this little fact though you made it sound so threating.
Most bikers whom I have met have been courteus and interesting people.
B.C.
August 30, 1998
John Henderson
Subject: Parking, Midway and Osoyoos
Anyone have any recommendations on parking cars at Midway and Osoyoos while
doing the Carmi ride?
August 24, 1998
J Moore
Temperatures
Hi we are about to do the Midway- Osoyoos loop of the KVR and are trying
to decide what sleeping bag to bring. We would like to know the average nightime
temperatures on this route. How cold does it get.
Thanks
August 13, 1998
Dean & Cynthia Fortin
Re:Midway to Penticton Trip for Aug 18, 98
A group of five of us just finished cycling from Rock Creek to Penticton, our
daughter being 7 rode behind Mom on our trail-a-bike. Great way to take kids
on this trip. Our oldest group member was 77 and he rode a cruiser style bike
with a 4 speed internal gearset. The trip was great, there were no restrictions
due to the Forest Fires except fire bands are in place everywhere.Our trip started
on Aug 6th from Rock Creek. We signed in at Midway the day before but due to
the number of detours from midway we decided to start at Rock Creek. After Westbridge
the railbed gets quite rough and this was our hardest cycling day on the trip.We
stayed at the Beaverdell hotel the 1st night and Sally and Brian have reopened
the restaurant which was just excellent food. I'll provide a complete diary
after I get unpacked..thxs.
August 12, 1998
Craig Hunt craig_hunt@geocities.com
Columbia & Western Railway Updates
July 26, 4 of us started on our ride I asked about on Feb. 18th (http://www.planet.eon.net/~danl/jj98.htm) Castlegar to Spences Bridge via VV&E
It was a beautiful ride but the 40+ deg C heat took it's toll and after one
of the group spent 6 hours in the hospital getting rehydrated with 2 liters
of IV, we quit after two days in Grand Forks. (On the Castlegar to Christina
Lake section we each used 7 large bottles of water each, and according to the
doctor that was only half of what we needed. He said 1 liter of water per hour!)
Anyway, here are some updates for the Columbia & Western Railway section
We stayed at the Twin Rivers Motel in Castlegar which was quite reasonable and
clean.
TWIN RIVERS MOTEL AND RV PARK
(250) 365-6900
1485 Columbia Ave.
Castlegar V1N 1H8
15 Units & 8 Sites - cable TV, phones, kitchen, complimentary coffee, full
hook-ups, no pets.
For early morning food, the restaurant at the Monte Carlo Motor Inn opens at
6:30am
Trail Updates;
14.9 Washout, Has been improved, could drive a truck through it now.
36.6 Washout, Has been improved, could drive a truck through it now.
~50 New logging road crosses railbed.
60.9 Highway #3 Overpass. There are now 2 small rock falls under the bridge
61.3 Paulson Tunnel, Rock fall at exit
61.8 2 small rock falls.
73.0 Lafferty watertower. Washout. Has been repaired. Could drive truck through.
89.1 Kettle River Bridge. Trenched both sides
. 91.7 Kettle River Bridge. Trenched both sides.
103.1 Collins Road. Railbed very overgrown with weeds after this point. Need
shin pads or ride the highway into Grand Forks.
In Christina Lake we stayed at the Lakeview Motel
Phone: (250) 447-9358
1658 Highway 3, Christina Lake, BC. V0H 1E0
Quiet sleeping and two room housekeeping units, air conditioned, queen bed,
cable TV, complimentary coffee, log gazebo and firepit, near restaurants, shopping,
laundry, beaches, 18 hole golf course, golf packages, pets. 12 Units -- (S)
$40-52; (D) $57-75; (T) $48-56; Add'l $6; Kitchen $6 http://www.kootenay.org/accommodations.html#christina
We can't say enough good things about the owners. They allowed us to drop off
our extra gear a day early on the drive up and transported the heat exhausted
member of our group and their gear to the hospital in Grand Forks and wouldn't
accept payment for the ride. If you are looking for a bike friendly place to
stay in Christina Lake, this is it. They are located at the intersection of
Santa Rosa Road (86.8 km) and Highway #3.
We will return to complete our trip!
August 12, 1988
Matt Thirkell
trail news
Hi all,I am planning to ride from Midway to Penticton with a group starting
on Monday Aug. 18th,. Has anyone heard of any restrictions or closures due to
forest fires in the area?
August 10, 1998
Joanna Steinman
Type of tire
Friends and I are coming up to do portions of the KVR in September and I'm due
for new bike tires. Any suggestions on the amount of knobbiness? I currently
have a sort of hybrid road/mountain bike tire. Is the bikeway rough, smooth,
a combination?
Thanks for the input.
August 9, 1998
Dave Brown
McCulloch Lake Resort
Received a call tonight from Nancy Pollard at McCulloch Lake Resort asking if
I could update you on their facilities since they are not on the net, so here
goes.
They now have a modern four-plex log chalet to rent as well as the six rustic
cabins. The main floor of the four-plex has two fully self-contained units with
kitchen, bedroom, full bathroom and a gas fireplace. Each unit sleeps up to
four people. The two upstairs units have a bed-sitting room, full bathroom and
a loft. They each will sleep six. All units have decks and all have an excellent
view of the lake.
The new lodge is now open as well. It is designed along the lines of an old
railway station. It is fully licensed as a pub and restaurant so full meals
and spirits are available. The store is also enlarged and improved with a larger
selection of goods.
Construction of the new shower house is well on its way and should be completed
soon.
Camping is still available. ( 20 sites)
They will be open all year.
Address 9995 McCulloch Road, Kelowna, B.C. V1P 1K3
Phone 1-250-491-8804 (radio phone)
Fax 1-250-862-7834
June 21, 1998
bob mcewen bob_mcewen@bc.sympatico.ca
cycling companion
Mid fifties Vancouver cyclist would like a companion to join him
on Sat June 27 weather permitting from Myra Stn to Chute Lake -
return same day.
June 19, 1998
Alex Kerr
Kettle Valley Steam Railway
Does anyone know what has happened to the home page of the
society that runs the trains? The link from all the link pages I
have found including this one and the Summerland one seem to be
broken.
June 11, 1998
Jeannette Klein George_Klein@bc.sympatico.ca
Penticton to Hope
Has anyone done any of this portion of the KVR this year? We are
leaving Saturday morning, so if there are any new developments
I'd appreciate hearing about them.
June 10, 1998
Brent Henry brent.henry@crcn.net
touring with children?
I'm an experirnced tourer and would like to get feedback on
touring the Penticton to Rock Creek section with a 9 year old on
bike and my 5 year old in a trailer. My nine year old loves
cycling. I realize that lots of time would be needed and travel
early and later in the day would be the best. I've ordered
Langford's guide. Has anybody tried this, and what is a
reasonable length of time?
Thanks
Brent Henry
June 6, 1998
Agent Willard
Tires
Just wondering what tires would be most suitable for the Midway
to Osoyoos trip. Semi-slicks? Knobbys?
I am riding a hybrid bike. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Agent
June 4, 1998
Cary cderksen@netcom.ca
Brookmere to Hope
I want to do my first trip with a friend in August sometime. I
would appreciate anyone's knowledge of this - Is Brookmere to
Hope passable on bike? Is there camping overnight on it - where?
I don't want to venture too far from Vancouver, but if it's worth
the drive to another part of KVR and then bike, I'm in! We were
thinking 2-3 days
Thanks
Cary
June 2, 1998
Trevor
Riding in Sept
How would it be to cycle from Kelowna to Merritt in the middle of
Sept.Please let me know
May 30, 1998
Jo-Anne Trounce
State of trail
We are hoping to be in BC in Sept. or early October, to ride some
of the KVR. Is it suitable for hybrid or racing-type bikes? We
are enticed by the possible views from the trestle bridges. What
section would you recommend?
Jo-Anne Trounce
May 26, 1998
Brian Collier
Brian.G.Collier@gems1.gov.bc.ca
I'm thinking of trying this KVR
If you are interested, we can accommodate an additional few
people on our trip (4 days on the trail from Rock Creek to
Penticton, staying at hotels the first 2 nights, and ranches the
last two, with a b & b for Penticton). We are starting on the
trail on July 1st from Rock Creek. If you are interested, please
reply to my email address above. This ride is being organized by
the Victoria Alpine Ski Club.
May 21, 1998
Agent Willard
Re: Highway #3 to KVR (in response to message posted on Feb 20th)
Hi Rhona. I am planning to cycle from Osoyoos to Midway along
Highway #3 and the rest stop at Canyon Creek sounds great. Just
how steep is the climb out of Osoyoos and how long is the climb?
Thanks for the info.
Agent Willard
May 21, 1998
Glenn gh@paralynx.com
Route planning - daily km.
RE: Rock Creek - Pentiction trip. Is it reasonable to plan on;
Day1 Rock Cr. to Beaverdell; Day2 Beaverdell to McCulloch Lk;
Day3 McCulloch Lk to Chute Lk; Day 4 to Penticton? We're thinking
of going light, staying at the lodges along the way and not
racing past the great scenery. We're not completely adverse to
camping either. Suggestions appreciated.
Thanks
Glenn
May 13, 1998
Agent Willard
Oliver to Midway
Just how gruelling is the ride from Osoyoos to Midway along
Highway? I have heard stories of steep grade for 20 km,
blistering heat, water shortages, and semi-trucks with sparks
flying from their brakes. Not to mention the constant exhaust
fumes. Planning to finish up the last leg with this trip (Osoyoos
to Midway) one fine July day.
May 5, 1998
Dan Langford danl@planet.eon.net
Coquihalla Subdivision
It has been brought to my attention, by Micheal W.P. Boyle of
Trans Mountain Pipe Line Company Ltd.,. that the KVR between
Coquihalla (km 30.2) and Jessica (km 64.0) is "owned
outright by Trans Mountain. For a variety of reasons, foremost
among which is public safety, this portion of the abandoned
railway is not open to public access." For further
information see Coquihalla Sub.
May 1, 1998
Nelson Area Trails Society nats@eudoramail.com
Working on securing the Salmo to Nelson rail line corridor
Work continues by NATS to lobby governments, railway officials
and now the media to secure this route upon abandonment and turn
it into a trail, even if only temporary (at first). What we need
to know from trails volunteers and advocates is;
What are the positive aspects of owning property that borders on
a trail?
We need to be able to inform adjacent property owners that a
trail will not be a liability to them, and will not result in a
depreciation of their property. Any factual information from real
experience along these lines will be a help to us.
April 30, 1998
David Klima David_Klima@mpm-eng.com
I'm thinking of trying this KVR.
I'm interested in trying the KVR. If there is a group (in the
Vancouver lower mainland) who is familiar with the route and is
planning a trip in the near future, and who doesn't mind an
addition biker, let me know. It doesn't matter if you are
planning to do only sectional parts of the KVR.
April 9, 1998
Stan Price
Starting point for Midway to Penticton
Planning on arriving around noon hour on a Friday to bike on
trail from Midway to Penticton. Our first overnite is at
Beaverdell so want to reduce travel distance by starting around
Rhone or Westbridge where the trail is close to highway 33.
Looking for someone who knows how practical it would be to leave
a couple of cars in this area so that first half day is only
around 30km.
April 9, 1998
Chris Beaton
Princeton to Brookmere
We are planning a cycling trip from Princeton to Brookmere. Is
there anywhere to stay along the way?, hotel etc.?
March 24, 1998
Ted Moser tedmoser@telusplanet.net
Osoyoos Parking
Hi, Can anyone suggest a safe place to park several vehicles in
Osoyoos for a week in late May while we cycle the Carmi and
Osoyoos subdivisons. Thanks for the help.
March 16, 1998
Rick Arason roxys@nethop.net
Roxy's B&B at Bankier (km 66.7 Princeton Sub)
Hi Dan, just a hello,and an update on what is happening in
Bankier. Have over the winter constructed a bath house which will
be operational by May. Also by May I will have tent sites
available. The bath house will have a shower stall and a
refinished 5ft.clawfoot tub,vanity. This will provide for those
who don't want the B&B. The tent site, with picnic table and
bath house will be $10 per person.
March 9, 1998
Judy Sadoway, Nelson Area Trails Society
(Registration pending)
jsadoway@netidea.com
Nelson to Salmo Trail
We are a Nelson group trying to establish a trail between Nelson
and Salmo on the BNSF rail line which is currently going through
an abandonment process. We are looking for information
regarding the economic benefits that such a trail could
bring to the communities of Nelson, Salmo and Ymir. We are
also interested in any environmental considerations of
such a trail, both pros and cons, and finding out the names of
the folks who "got the ball rolling" as far as KVR
trails go.
Feb 23, 98
Neil Chalmers
May long weekend - too early for carmi sub?????
Making plans for the Midway-Osoyoos run. I want to miss the hot
weather but am wondering if mid May is too early to miss the snow
in the Myra. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
Feb 20, 98
Rhona Terry
Highway # 3 to KVR
If you are riding along Hwy # 3 from Osoyoos to Rock Creek, you
need a rest stop. The Canyon Creek Ranch is inviting you to stop,
get fresh water and relax after the steep climb from Osoyoos. We
are a guest ranch and craft shop right on the Highway, past (east
of ) Bridesville - over the bridge. Mention this message for a
free souvenier of the KVR.
Feb 18, 1998
Craig Hunt
craig_hunt@geocities.com
Castlegar to Spences Bridge' Summer 98
After riding from Rock Creek to Hope in Aug. 97 (see trip report
dated Sept. 3, 97 below), we are thinking about another KVR ride
and are considering;
Castlegar to Midway (C&W),
Midway to Princeton (VV&E),
Princeton to Brookmere (KVR),
Brookmere to Merritt (KVR),
Merritt to Spences Bridge (NK&S).
It looks like under 600 km of riding. Does anyone have any tips
or suggestions other than what is already posted on this site? Is
this route harder or easier than the regular KVR ride. Thanks for
any and all information.
Jan 22, 1998
Steve Crout
Steve_Crout@BC.Sympatico.ca
Need info on best time to go.
I'm interested in taking my daughter and son on the trip, ages 8
and 16. Anyone had a similar experience? Also, I'm looking for
the best time to travel between June30 and September 5/98. Thanks
in advance.
Dec 31, 1997
Tyler
How far is it.............
How far is it between Penticton and Osoyoos, and is it passible
on a bicycle? Also, are there any maps available?
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