Five days cycling/Six nights circuit in the Kootenay Valley with shorter and longer intermediate rides each day. This much loved EVCC classic is being resurrected this year!
This ride is supported, which means that there will be a fee to cover the cost and expenses of a rental vehicle plus gas, our driver's accommodation, group snacks and drinks. As well there are plans for 2 group evening meals that we will prepare and share as some of the towns we will ride through have limited amenities. Participants will be expected to help with meal prep and cleaning up.
THIS IS A PAY AS YOU GO event - you are responsible for arranging your own accommodations and paying for food that is not included. You are welcome to bring a small cooler.
REGISTER NOW to indicate your interest in joining this event.
We will use your registration for further communication and planning. You will be invoiced for shared costs which will be based on the number of participants.
We will start riding together from our accommodations (see below Sept 6 pre-accommodation). You need to arrive in the area the night before, stay locally and ride to the ferry for the noon hour crossing. (TBA). Luggage van will visit accommodations en route to ferry so participants can load their baggage.
This will be the daily routine, participants will be responsible for loading their baggage each day. Make sure your baggage is in the van.
Accommodations will be cabins, lodges, motels or hostels and will be approximately $75 per night (double occupancy) or camping at $40 - $50.
Book your own reservations for each night at the recommended accommodations or campgrounds. Some are limited.
Contact Helen 403 978 8550 for help matching roommates.
NOTE: We will be returning to the start point at the end of the ride so you may want to book your 1st reservation again for September 11th. Arrangements have been made to leave your vehicle for the duration of our ride.
The Kootenay Fondo is on the 12th of September and could be conveniently attended after this event.
This trip is open to EVCC members only. New members are welcome!
Accommodation Suggestions
Sept 6, Sunday - Pre Ride Accommodations: 2 choices
(depending how far you want to ride on Day 1)
1. Boswell: This starting location is 26 km from the ferry terminal. Allow 2+ hours to arrive at the ferry by bike – there are hills. Daily Total 64 km.
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Cedar Point RV Resort & Marina, phone 1-250-223-8271
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Book on line for cabins, RV or camping. This accommodation requires that we pay the cleaning fee of $50 because they normally require 2 day stays
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Week Parking available for vehicles in the boat storage for no charge
2. Crawford Bay: This location is 6 km to the ferry but there are hills. Allow 1+ hour to cycle to the ferry. Daily Total 42km total.
DAY 1 - September 7 - Boswell or Crawford Bay - Kaslo 64 or 42 km
Lunch stop - Ainsworth Hot Springs for a soak in the mineral hot pool part way between Balfour and Kaslo. Pack swim gear with you or in an accessible bag in the luggage van.
Group dinner/barbeque in the green space at the motel
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Kaslo Motel 1- 250-353 -2431
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Kaslo Hotel 1- 866-823-1433
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Kaslo Village Campground 1-250-353-2662
DAY 2 - Sept 8, Kaslo - New Denver 46 km
Choose breakfast in town. Lunch / snack / water break stop at Fish Lake
Optional add on for extra km - New Denver - Rosebery or Hills, end of Slocan Lake 32km return
DAY 3 - Sept 9, 2026, New Denver - Winlaw 51 km
Lunch stop at Slocan Lake boat launch with the option for a swim
Leaving Slocan, we will ride on the opposite side of the river & onto Perry’s Back Road off the main highway
DAY 4 - Sept 10, 2026, Winlaw - Nelson 50 km
We will begin today by crossing the river and continuing for as long as we can to avoid the highway (approximately ½ the route) to Passmore Junction. Then we will be on the highway riding into Nelson.
Optional add on - Winlaw - Blewet - Nelson - Advanced route via Blewet very hilly terrain 52km plus
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Alpine Inn and Suites (motel) 1 - 250 - 352 - 5501 (Nelson)
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Adventure Hotel - 1-250-352-7211 (Nelson)
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Dancing Bear Inn - hostel type rooms 1- 778-463-5319 (Nelson)
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City of Nelson Campground 1-250-352-7618 (Nelson)
DAY 5 - Sept 11, Friday, Nelson - Crawford Bay 39km or Boswell 59km
We will catch the (approximate) 12:20 ferry at Balfour. It is 33 km and will take at least 2 hours of cycling. Plan to arrive 20 minutes early. The ferry crossing is approximately 45 minutes. Depending on where you started/parked your vehicle, the distance after the ferry is 6 km to Crawford Bay or 26 to Boswell.
Optional Distance - side trip from the Harrop - Procter Ferry, adds on 17 km round trip.
Approximately 28 km from Nelson take the cable ferry to Harrop and cycle to Procter (Procter Village Cafe) 17km there and back. Plan 1.5 extra hours, leaving Nelson by 9 AM.
Total 50 to the Balfour ferry.
Distance after the ferry: Crawford Bay (6km) or Boswell (26km) where you started.
Back to the starting point, book another night or check out.
