August 18th to August 20th 2006
Route 1 (Approximately 310 km or 195 mi)
A classic SportBike West route through the remoteness of the West Kettle River Valley, across the high-rolling plains of the Kettle Valley, down the longest continuous highway descent in Canada complete with stunning views of the Okanagan, then through the orchards and vineyards of the south Okanagan before winding through the hills on the west side of the valley, along the Skaha Lake shoreline and finishing up with a run along Okanagan Lake.
Check out the numbers and the video on the DHs:
DH7, DH24, HWY 97, DH17, HWY 97, DH32, HWY 97
Route 2 (Approximately 350 km or 215 mi)
A slightly longer variation on Route 1 which exchanges DH32 for DH63 up from the Okanagan Valley and the fabulous DH6 up to the base of the Apex Alpine ski area and then back down to the Okanagan Valley at Penticton before finishing up with the Okanagan Lake run.
Check out the numbers and the video on the DHs:
DH7, DH24, HWY 97, DH17, DH63, DH6, HWY 97
Route 3 (Approximately 275 km or 170 mi)
Down through Kelowna, high up the west side of Okanagan Lake with its stunning views, a twisty little sprint along the Salmon River into the Salmon Valley, along Shuswap Lake to Sicamous, then you track the winding shore of Mara Lake into the farmland of the Shuswap River Valley before you climb into the quiet benchlands north of the Okanagan Valley and back down to Vernon and the valley.
Check out the numbers and the video on the DHs:
HWY 33, HWY 97, DH11, HWY 97, DH64, HWY 1, DH46, HWY 97B, DH64TE-C, part of DH64TE-A, DH64TE-D, HWY 97 (with a sideloop option on DH11TE-A for those not afraid of a little maxburning in the middle of it).
Route 4 (Approximately 225 km or 140 mi)
Slightly shorter version of Route 3 which drops the Salmon Arm to Sicamous leg and DH46.
Check out the numbers and the video on the DHs:
HWY 33, HWY 97, DH11, HWY 97, DH64, HWY 97B, DH64TE-C, part of DH64TE-A, DH64TE-D, HWY 97 (with a sideloop option on DH11TE-A for those not afraid of a little maxburning in the middle of it).
SBW Route 5 (Approximately 405 km or 250 mi)
For those who like a little more mileage under their belt at the end of a day. Down through Kelowna, high up the west side of Okanagan Lake with its stunning views, up a high plateau mountain valley, through the quiet Happy Valley, down along the Thompson River Valley, then up onto a wide, open plateau before descending along the lakes and classic interior rangeland of the Nicola Valley and then taking the high road Coquihalla Connector back to the Okanagan Valley and SBW.
Check out the numbers and the video on the DHs:
HWY 33, HWY 97, DH11, HWY 97, part of DH77, DH68, DH31, HWY 97C, HWY 97.
Route 6 (Approximately 560 km or 350 mi)
Getting close to an average good day for a Destination Highways evaluator, this one takes you through 4 of the 9 Mainland regions of DHBC on 7 DHs! We knock off the easy Coquihalla Connector end part off Route 5 and add 3 more sweet DHs taking you up on the Thompson plateau, down the Allison Creek Valley, then on an elegant cruise along the Similkameen River before climbing up to the base of the Apex Alpine ski area and then back down to the Okanagan Valley at Penticton.
Check out the numbers and the video on the DHs:
HWY 33, HWY 97, DH11, HWY 97, part of DH77, DH68, DH31, HWY 5A/97C, DH42, DH78, HWY 3, HWY 3A, DH6, HWY 97.
Route 7 (Approximately 410 km or 255 mi return)
Want to keep it simple but incredibly sweet? Ride up through Kelowna to Vernon, hang a right and experience the magnificence of DH2. At the end you take the short ferry trip to Fauquier for food, gas and a little rest. Then, guess what? You get to ride this incredible road back! (Throw in DH43 up and back to Mabel Lake for another 65 km (40 mi).
For in depth details on those not linked come to the Rally!!)
All routes composed by Destination Highways.