October 16th- Osoyoos-Weather forecast for Thursday looks good. Plan is to head south with a lunch at the Sage & Sand Neighbourhood Pub, 6403 Cottonwood Dr., Osoyoos, BC
Northern riders meet at MacDonald's, West Kelowna at 9 AM.
October 9th- Green Mountain-Hedley-Princeton-Connector-Weather forecast for Thursday was good. Riders headed south with a light breakfast at the Tim Horton's, Elk Road, in West Kelowna. Meet at 9 AM.
After breakfast riders took various back roads towards Penticton then Green Mountain Road to Hedley with lunch at the Hitching Post (website) . Return trip was via the Connector.
August 28th - Princeton-Mysterious Road to Connector Riders headed south with a breakfast at the Froggy Cafe Restaurant, in the Linden Gardens, Kaleden for 9 AM. After breakfast Glen took us on a ride over to Princeton and along a new mysterious paved road off of Highway 5A. This side road turned out to be the Kentuckly Lake Road which continued on to the connector west of the Elkford Road. Note: this road is paved!
Northern riders assembled at McDonalds, West Kelowna at 8 AM.
There are no photos as all forgot cameras and our usual photographer was absent.
August 21st - Weather forecast for Thursday was maybe some rain but what do weathermen know? Plan was to head south with breakfast at the Froggy Cafe in the Linden Gardens, Kaleden for 9 AM. Northern riders met at McDonald's in Westbank at 8 AM. As last week never got rolling due to rain showers after breakfast, riders took the Green Lake-Willoughbrook-Twin Lakes roads to Yellow Lake. Cam and Dave and his wife continued on to Hedley while others returned via Green Lake Road.
August 7th -Predator Ridge-Whispering Pines-Westside Road- Once again Thursday was hot. We assembled early at Tim Horton's, West Kelowna at 7:30 AM. Gorgeous morning ride to Winnfield and onwards along Oceola-Carrs Landing-Commage Roads past Predator Ridge and then along the Old Kamploops Road to the Whispering Pines Truck Stop for breakfast with real ham. The temperature started to rise quickly so most decided to return along Westside Road before the heat made riding uncomfortable. Father Jim struck out on his own as he doesn't mind the heat as much. Mountain sheep were encountered on our return trip and Ted obtained some good pictures. Distance travelled was over 200
kilometres.
July 31st - Kaleden-Green Mountain-Again Thursday was hot. We started early assembling at McDonald's, West Kelowna at 8 AM. Gorgeous morning ride to the Froggy Restaurant in Linden Gardens, Kaleden. Beautiful shady trees and lovely gardens. Ray, Bob, Doreen and Jim met us there and all enjoyed a classic breakfast with
homemade bread and jam. The temperature started to rise quickly so all decided to just ride the Green Mountain Road before returning home via Summerland Sweets. Distance travelled was over 200 kilometres.
July 25th -Thursday was raining so the ride was rescheduled to Friday. Again we started early with breakfast at the Bear's Den in Penticton.
Forest fires were contained but we did see a mopup crew on the Green Mountain Road. Fires had burned within a few hundred metres of the horse ranch at the Apex turnoff junction and then spread in two different directions up adjacent mountains. Riders followed Hwy 97-East Skaha Lake Road-McLean Creek and Oliver Bench Roads- East Bench Road to Osyoos. Just before Keremeos we stopped off to say hellos to Vic. After green Mountaimn
road remaing riders viewed the historic B25 bomber and Harvard trainer on display for the week Pictures below). Distance travelled was 290 kilometres.
July 10th -Kamploops-Merrit-Connector
Thursday was hot and again we started early to get back before the heat. Breakfast was at the Bonfire Grill at Cove Restaurant at 8
AM. We would rate this ride a 9.5 fantastic day! Ride was to Kamloops via Westside Road - Hwy 97 to Barnhartville Rd - Kamloops then to Old Merritt Hwy 5A. The elevations provided a cool refreshing day for us. Lunch at the Quilchena Club House was a treat as we enjoyed our lunch watching the Calgary Stampede on wide screen. We had a spirited run home on the cool connector with temperatures dropping to 19C at the summit. In Westbank, it was 32C and we covered approximately 400K’s. Rea followed the troop in his SUV and enjoyed the experience.
July 3rd - Willoughbrook-Twin Lakes-Princeton-Connector
Thursday was hot and a suggestion was made to start early and get back before the heat. Breakfast was at Kaleden, south of Penticton on Hwy 97, at 8 AM. Route taken was Green Lake-Willoughbrook-Twin Lakes Roads to Yellow Lake. The weather was abosolutely perfect and some riders wished to continue so the deicision was made to head to Princeton for lunch at the Belair Restaturant and return via the Connector with a stop at our fishing rest area and Griffin's Gulch. Total distance covered was 325 kilometers.
Northern riders met at A&W, Westbank, at 7 AM. Peachlanders joined us around 7:20 AM.
June 26th -Hwy 33 - Rock Creek - Keremeos - Green Mountain
Riders met for breakfast at Cora's, at Orchard Park Mall, Kelowna at 8 AM. We travelled the bitumen southbound (but on the right!) along Hwy 33 to Rock Creek, then westerly to Osoyoos on Hwy 3. Weather looking towards Keremeos looked iffy so all decided to stop for a late lunch at the Okanagan Falls Hotel Pub. The Green Mountain portion of this trip was replaced by a ride up east Skaha Lake due to weather and rewarded with a stop of Summerland's Treats for ice cream.
Distance covered was 327 kilometers.
Southern riders rallied at Tim Horton's off Elk Road, West Kelowna at 7:30 AM
June 19th Salmon Arm and Margarite Falls
Riders met for breakfast at the Specialty Bakery at 8:30 AM and continued north to Vernon via Hwy 97. We met Bill and Rose on the Old Kamloops Road around 10 AM then north along the Salmon River Road to Salmon Arm then westerly to Margarite Falls. Lunch was at the Jade Restaurant. After lunch and southward bound we followed Deep Creek Road (and aliases) and then Westside Road back to Kelowna.
Southern riders first met at Tim Horton's at Elk Road, West Kelowna at 7:45 AM.
Distance travelled was over 325 Kilometers.
June 12th Osoyoos-Keremeos
-Destination for today was the OK triangle and back.
Southern riders rallied at A&W, West Kelowna at 9 AM. The weather was not promising and we almost cancelled but ever hopeful, a spot of blue sky prevailed. We decided to drive to Summerland and recheck. All looked good so riders proceeded towards breakfast at Kaleden, south of Penticton. Additional members met here and following breakfast all rode to Okanagan Falls, Tucelnuit Drive- Black Sage Road, Hwy 97 to Osoyoos, Keremes and back to Kelowna. The Green Mountain road was dropped as storm clouds
looked ominous at the southern entrance. As it turned out, while going through Penticton one could see rain storms on the eastern portion of the Green Mtountain Road. We did arrive back home dry though around 2:30 PM. A great ride and wonderful day.
Distance travelled was over 265 Kilometers.
To see their website click here. For a location map click here.
June 5th -Destination for today was Mabel Lake with lunch at the golf course and breakfast at the Specialty Bakery, #101-833 Finns Rd., Kelowna at 8:30 AM.
Southern riders rallied at Tim Horton's off Elk Road, West Kelowna at 7:45 AM then proceeded to breakfast. It was unanimous that the ride on Thursday June 5th guided by Bill & Rose Gross was one of the best rides we had had in some time. The riding conditions were perfect with the air filled with fresh spring scents from sweet grass to silage and fresh dung.
Lunch at the Mabel Lake Golf and Country Club on the 18th hole provided a great backdrop for our luncheon as members were able
to view some fine or not so fine shots from the golfers.
On the return ride Bill & Rose treated us to a number of spectacular backroads. Route taken from Mabel Lake was via Enderby Road, north to Grinrod, south on Hwy 97A, then north and west on Grandview Bench Road to Hwy 97B, south on Deep Creek Road - Otter Lake Road exiting near the O'Keefe Ranch. Bill also suggested that those riding south try the improved Westside Road. That road travelling north to south was a pleasant surprise compared to previous years. By the end of the day members enjoyed an approximate 350K ride and was ranked as one of our best to date.
Great to have Spyder riders Glen & Dave join us! We captured the moment!
To see their website click here. For a location map click here.
Thursday, May 22nd Princeton-Connector Northern riders rallied at 8:30 AM at A&W, West Kelowna, BC for breakfast, then headed south shortly after at 9 AM for Peachland (to pickup Cam) then Green Mountain Rd. to Keremeos (to pickup Vic). The ride then continued to Princeton where we all met Doreen and Jim Barr for lunch at the Belair Restaurant. After lunch riders, took highway 5A to Aspen Grove with a short stop at a peaceful, wayside lake then returning via Aspen Grove and the Connector. Prior to hitting the connector most donned warmer clothing for the Penask summit before descending back into the warmer Okanagan Valley.
Unfortunately, Barry blew the swing arm on his Harley Davidson trike which stripped the teeth on his drive belt, while ascending the connector highway towards Penask Summit. Riders became separated during this portion of the run and the main group was not aware of the mishap until then next official stop point. This mis-adventure teaches us that riders must always keep the rider behind them in sight. This was discussed and all agreed to ensure procedures will be followed in the
future.
Distance travelled was 345 KM throughout a glorious day.
Location map click here.
Thursday, May 15th A Passport Ride
Members headed up into the hills, south of the border to Molson, WA. As always, this was an adventure.
Northern riders rallied at 8 AM at MacDonald's, West Kelowna, BC then headed south for breakfast at the Kaleden
Restaurant; riders continued to Osoyoos/Oroville then eastwards up into the hills to Molson, an old gold mining town having a current population of 21 (drastically reduced from its heyday) for a touch of history! The towns museum is fascinating. The ride continued eastwards along Chesaw Rd. then north along Torado Creek Rd. to Midway, BC where feasting occurred at the Mile Zero
Restaurant. Heading west and homeward bound, riders split up at Rock Creek, some taking Highway 33 to Kelowna and the remainder travelled to Osooyos, Penticton, and finally West Kelowna. The cuisine of home cooked meals at Mile Zero are the best on the planet. Every stitch of food in there is fresh, homemade flavorful goodness! Especially the homemade pies.
History (thanks to
Wikipedia) - Molson was founded in 1900 by promoter George B.
Meacham, and investor John W. Molson (of the Molson beer brewing family).[1] The mining town's population boomed to 300 that year, and the town had a newspaper, general stores, an attorney, doctor, saloon and hotel. By 1901, as the mining was failing, the
population fell to 13 people. When news of a railroad being built in Molson arrived in 1905, the population rose again. J.H. McDonald filed for a homestead including much of the town of Molson. In 1909 McDonald enforced his homestead by publishing a notice that everyone on the property was required to depart. Citizens then founded New Molson, ½ mile north of the site of Old Molson
The Molson post office was established July 14, 1900, with Walter F. Schuyler as first postmaster.[2] The post office was discontinued August 11, 1967, with mail to Oroville.[3]
For more on the history of Molson see here or view an investigative video.
Location map click here.
Thursday, May 8th Seacrest-Twin Lakes-Green Mountain members met for coffee at MacDonald's, Westbank followed by a ride south to Osooyos via Peachland (picking up Cam and Bob) and Penticton (picking up Jim Barr). Lunch was at the Sage & Sand Neighbourhood Pub, 6403 Cottonwood Drive, Osoyoos. After lunch we headed northwards via Hwy 97 to Black Sage Road and Tucelnuit Drive, backtracked on Hwy 97 a short distance to Seacrest Hill Road and then northwards along Willowbrook, White Lake, and Twin Lakes Roads to its intersection with Hwy 3A. Riders continued westwards to Green Mountain Road and then back to Penticton and Kelowna. Total distance covered for the day was 267 KM.
For look at Sage & Sand Neighbourhood
Pub's website click here.
For look at Sage & Sand Neighbourhood
Pub's website click here.
Thursday, May 1st White Lake-Osoyoos-Hedley members breakfasted at the Kaleden Restaurant, 9 AM, 224 Hwy 97, about 10 km south of Penticton. After breakfast we headed to Osoyoos via White Lake and Willowbrook, and Fairview Roads to Oliver; thence south to Osoyoos via Black Sage Road and Hwy 97, west over Richter Pass to Hedley returning to Keremeos for lunch at the Benja Thai Restaurant . Return was through Penticion, Summerland to Kelowna. Total distance covered for the day was over 325 KM. Northern riders rallied at 8 AM, MacDonald's, West Kelowna, BC.
For look at Benja's website click here.
For look at Benja's website click here.