Enjoy the southern route of the KVR out of Penticton. Meander along the Skaha lake from the Wrights Beach Campground all the way down to Branbury Beach Resort in Kaleden. Very little elevation change as you follow the lake. PACA Virtual Fiver #4 Family route.  And a special thank you to our sponsors this week, including the Nautical Dog Cafe (enjoy a drink) and The Barley Mill (10% off food). 

This loop in the Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park was chosen to go last as most of the climb takes place near a cooling creek and through some of the lushest vegetation found in our valley in the summer months.  The loop takes in a gradual climb up to the top of Ward 1. Ward 1 has a slightly technical start and ends with fast, tight singletrack. Back up the double track to Sauerkraut. This trail has a mix of a few short tough climbs with overall descending. There are some technical sections to challenge your rock skills! Finish up with a fun and fast descent back to the parking lot.  PACA Virtual Fiver #4 Mountain Route.  And a special thank you to our sponsors this week, including the Nautical Dog Cafe (enjoy a drink) and The Barley Mill (10% off food). 

This is the family edition of the third ride in the series. Starting at Smethurst Road/KVR in Naramata, travel up to the Little Tunnel. It is about 5 km of gentle grade to climb up to this iconic Naramata view point which then has an effortless coast back down to where you started. Complete the Virtual Fiver Week 3 Family ride, claim your badge and head over to Cannery Brewing to receive their special offer of 15% off Nachos and a beverage of your choice. 

Complete this loop in the 3 Blind Mice, showcasing some of the finest blue trails anytime between July 5 at 6AM and July 12 at 10PM to earn your PACA Virtual Fiver #3 badge.  Complete the Virtual Fiver Week 3 Mountain loop, claim your badge and head over to the Cannery Brewing to receive their special offer of 15% off Nachos and a beverage of your choice. 

Get the family out for a pleasant little KVR ride from the Rodeo Grounds over to Fenwick and back. Complete the Virtual Fiver Week 2 Family route, claim your badge and head over to Breakaway Brewing in Summerland to enjoy their special offer - 15% off your total bill. 

Complete this 13km classic loop, showcasing all of Conkle's finest blue trails, anytime between June 28 at 6AM and July 5 at 10PM to earn your PACA Virtual Fiver Week 2 Mountain badge.  Complete the Virtual Fiver Week 2 Mountain loop, claim your badge and head over to Breakaway Brewing in Summerland to enjoy their special offer - 15% off your total bill. 

Pedal from the Okanagan side of the dam along the KVR to the Green Mountain Rd bridge to complete the badge requirements.

Complete this 16 km route, showcasing many of Campbell Mountain's finest green and blue trails, anytime between June 21 at 6am and June 28 at 10pm to earn your PACA Virtual Fiver #1 badge.  

Many of you in the community know Shaun and Linnette Gratton. They are the heart and soul of Penticton mountain biking- they were even married on a Three Blind Mice trail overlooking Okanagan Lake! Date nights maintaining the trails followed by dinner out have been a common theme in their relationship.  Unfortunately, in addition to dealing with severe pneumonia leading to significant scarring to his lungs in 2009 Shaun recently discovered that he has a damaged heart valve. This was likely something present at birth. The damage is now significant enough that he requires heart valve surgery. This operation will occur in Vancouver and will require an extended period of time off work (and his bike) recovering.  While the Gratton's haven't asked for any help, we know what a strain this will be on them financially and emotionally. We would love an opportunity to show our care and to help offset some of cost of the travel expenses to Vancouver and their stay there while Shaun recovers enough to return home.  If you don't know the extent of their behind the scenes good deeds, I have listed some here: Shaun's biggest contribution is his devotion to maintaining the trails. He has put in numerous hours building and repairing trails, building bridges and most significantly- cutting out and removing deadfall. Somehow Shaun is out there with a saw seemingly minutes after the tree hits the ground. He has also volunteered for most cycling events to come through the Mice and is know for his famous Bacon Station.  Linnette is best known for her huge enthusiasm for the sport of mountain biking and her desire to share it with as many people as she can. Safety and skills are a priority for her so Linnette got her coaching certification and has swept dozens of new riders in to the bike community. Keeping it social and fun has always been her mantra and Linnette continually creates social ladies-only events including 2019's weekly Wednesday night ride which was enthusiastically attended each week.  Together they have worked on developing better communication tools with Search and Rescue (SAR) and have helped to educate SAR on the benefits of Trailforks and more efficient routes in to the trails . This is an ongoing project which numerous people have already benefited from and you hope that you won't need it but will be grateful for their efforts if you do.  Our goal is to raise $2000 at this evenings event (which will include a silent auction). If you have any items to donate to the silent auction we would gratefully accept. Please email Laura Harp at laura@bikepenticton.com for pick up/drop off details. The menu was chosen in keeping with Shaun and Linnette's switch to a plant based whole foods diet.   We hope that you will be able to attend this fun evening with Shaun and Linnette to help send them off with the best support and well wishes possible.   

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Come and join PACA to help celebrate the birthday of our wonderful country! What better way to appreciate the splendour of our home than a ride followed by a swim and BBQ at the beach? Arrive by any type of bicycle... bring your beach towel. BBQ lights up at 6pm. Parking is limited at Three Mile so please consider riding down (yep, we know it is a steep ride back up!) or plan a car pool or shuttle out.  Burger and snacks by donation. It is very helpful if you RSVP so that we can ensure that we have enough food for everyone. 

Please indicate if you are planning on riding.  This weeks ride will be an ADVANCED ride lead by Tina. To join the ride you must have experience and confidence in riding black diamond trails with steep loose sections, rock rolls, drops and natural rock features. $15 shuttle fee paid to the drivers. The route will include Sidewinder, Jose, Marmot, Connector to Ponderosa, Slabs, and Skull Coaster.  Please note that you must be a PACA member to join these rides.