Summary

The “SRR” (aka Sunday Road Ride) departs from the “Sails” sculpture on the Kelowna waterfront at 9AM (8AM if it’s especially hot in mid-summer).

Weather depending, larger groups start forming in late March and early April (checking this webcam of the Sails is a good way to see if rides are starting to form in the early season). At a minimum this is a 75KM and 100% pavement ride, although many riders pedal to the start of the ride or add on additional miles after; perhaps some efforts up and around Begbie, McKinley, Dilworth, or Knox.

Exclusively inclusive — this is typically a no-drop ride but ego wagging, stop-sign sprinting, $20,000 bike-bragging antics appear en masse, and there might even by some regional pros out for a flex. This is the main social ride for Kelowna, and is similar but shorter than other “donut” rides you’ll find in places like Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver. This ride may be as small as 10 and as large as 50 riders. Groups naturally separate and form on the climbs, so regardless of ability level or # of glasses of pinot grigio consumed the night before, rest assured you’ll have someone to ride with.

The last true effort of the ride is a rolling portion of Anderson Road, up around the north end of YLW Airport, finishing with a sprint on Airport Way. The ride is typically wrapped up with a coffee stop near Knox Mountain.

Points of Interest

• Kelowna Sails Sculpture / Spirit of Sail @ 0km
• Scenic Canyon Park / Mission Creek @ 33km
• Black Mountain Golf Club @ 39km
• YLW Airport @ 55km
• Knox Mountain @ 71km

Surfaces & Traffic

100% pavement with light to moderate traffic.

Paved throughout, with the exception of a 200m stretch of gravel connecting Black Mountain to Swainson. Sunday mornings are typically light traffic on most of the roads in south and east Kelowna.

Refuelling

This ride does not stop for any snacks during the route.

OKRoutes recommends bringing 2× 750ml bottles and at least 2 bars/gels. On hotter days, it is advisable to bring a 3rd 500ml bottle in the back jersey pocket.

Key Segments

• SRR Part 1 @ 4km. 8km long portion at the beginning of the ride, finishes with a 4½% 2km climb up Barnaby Road

• SRR Part 2 @ 13km. 7.8km segment with a gradual but fast descent for about 2km, then and a steady climb at 2½% for 5KM up Dehart Road and Crawford Road. The climb is the steepest at the beginning, then false flatting for the middle portion, before a short sharp punch at the end.

• SRR Part 3 @ 21km. 4.3km 1.3% rolling segment with a short climb at the end on Matthews Road for 1.2km @ 3.7%.

• SRR Part 4 @ 25km. 8km @ -0.8% segment down to Mission Creek.

• SRR Part 5 @ 33km. 8.4km rolling segment that climbs up Garner Road and Kloppenburg Road, then around Black Mountain on Highway 33. This portion is not used on the current version of the route, as most group rides will head directly up and over Black Mountain to Swainson Road.

• SRR Part 6 @ 42km. 4.8km mostly downhill segment from the base of Swainson Road to Sunset Ranch Golf & Country Club.

• SRR Part 7 @ 47km. 10.4km rolling segment heading counter clockwise around YLW Airport. Segment finishes with a sprint at YLW Airport.

• SRR Part 8 @ 57½km. final segment of the ride, 15km trending downhill around UBCO Campus / Quail Ridge, around the base of Dilworth, and ending at Knox Mountain.

Enjoy!

And please be sure to…

• ride safely,
• let us know what you think about this route, and
• follow us on the grams & tag us along with #okroute21!