Kamloops Loop

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This is one of my favorite riding loops.  It showcases three of BC's best biking roads plus a two very good ones.  All while avoiding anything remotely boring.  About 800km of serious biking pleasure.

I call it a "day run" because I do it in a day (duh!) but riders of real sportbikes may want to split it in two.  I almost killed the last sportbike rider I took...his wrists were inflamed by the time we hit Pemberton, his butt paralyzed by the time we reached Cache Creek, and his neck in spasm by the time we finished the Coquihalla!!   So make sure you have the right bike.  It's actually a fairly comfortable run if you are used to those distances.  I usually take around 12 hours which includes several hours of stopping.  But this road begs to be ridden so I admit to not doing much sightseeing.

The ride starts with the famous Sea to Sky highway from Horseshoe Bay to Whistler.  Twisty roads, fjord-like inlets and towering mountain peaks make this route scenic in every way.   Past Whistler the traffic eases and the roads open for more spirited riding but straight stretches are still illusory.   Pemberton marks the end of this section and is a must for gas and a short break.  From there zip down the Pemberton Valley to Lillooet Lake for another rest stop and a chance to soak up some sun while admiring the scenery.

The steep hill at the head of Lillooet Lake marks the beginning of biker heaven (aka "Duffy Lake Road" to Lillooet).   You'd better be rested because the tight switchbacks leaving Pemberton valley only hint at the unparalleled twisties knifing through the next 100kms of scenic grandeur.  The remoteness means you could stop anywhere for a rest and view but chances are the road will hypnotize and you won't look up until descending into Lillooet.  If you thought it was hot in Pemberton, Lillooet will be scorching so check out Seton Lake for a rest and a swim.   You're about 300km into the ride after having ridden two of BC's top biking roads.   And you're further out than 90% of Vancouver's riders have ever been so you deserve a rest!

Rolling out of Lillooet, you're on the third section.  This is a picturesque romp through Marble Canyon to the main highway (#97).   The entire 75km is non-stop curves and corners begging for a brisk pace.  So if you didn't rest at Seton Lake perhaps you should reconsider!!

By now the relentless curves flowing by furiously since the trip's beginning are starting to take their toll so rest stops are becoming more frequent.   Luckily it's around lunch time and Cache Creek area is a good excuse for a long break.  The 80kms from Cache Creek to Kamloops (on #1) is much easier.  The curves are more open and the straights more frequent.  While still a good biking road, this is also a nice section for sightseeing since your eyes won't be glued to the road.   If you have an extra 1/2 hour consider dropping down to Ashcroft and taking #97C through Logan Lake to Kamloops instead of the TransCanada.  The roads are similar in twisties and pavement quality but the Logan Lake route is less traveled and highlights new country compared to the well worn TransCanada route.

Once in Kamloops take a moment to relax because soon you'll attack the last major twisty section before returning home to Vancouver.  While not as tight as the Sea-to-Sky highway or Duffy Lake roads, 5A to Merritt still has 100 kilometers of fast paced curves to tease and delight.  If your memories of coastal rainforests haven't faded by now, it is time to look around at BC's desert heartland.

Once you reach Merritt, the twisties are almost over.  The final run is the Coquihalla freeway to Hope.  By now a scenic and easy high speed freeway is probably more to your liking, but for me the Coquihalla comes soon enough, so I usually bypass the start and take the superb Coldwater Road to Kingsvale (see "Merrit Loop" for pictures).  This is a pleasant and winding run through the heart of Coquihalla country and a worthwhile alternative to the freeway.  Unfortunately it joins the Coquihalla just before the toll-booths so you'll have to ante up $5 unless you want to turn-around and retrace your steps back to Vancouver...

The Coquihalla is a nice change at this point in the ride.  The scenery is excellent as it winds through the Coquihalla range.  High speed and scenic, one can easily imagine riding through the Austrian Alps in a similar manner.   In any case, it's a comfortable high speed run into Hope or Chilliwack for dinner followed by a short jaunt home!

Map (Click on map for full size):

Pictures (click here for pictures related to this run):