Road Cycling in the Kootenays
British Columbia, Canada

Road Cycling in the Kootenays EH

The highways and backcountry paved roads in the Kootenay region of British Columbia, Canada provide many opportunities for road cycling. The alpine peaks, mountain river valleys and low lying grasslands create some fantastic cycling routes in the Kootenays. Many routes include visiting parks, wetlands, wildlife reserves, mountain passes and alpine summit viewpoints.

Some of the cycle routes involve following paved highways for many miles. Some of the highways are busy and some of the highways are bare with very little traffic. Many of the highways merge and connect forming, long and short, cycling loop routes. Some of the highways travel for long distances with no exits for cycling therefore creating some long haul cycling routes venturing from community to community.

Cycling conditions vary in the Kootenays. In some regions the highways and city streets are marked with biking lanes and drivers pay allot of respect for cyclists. Then again, on some of the busier highways there are no biking lanes but plenty of fast moving commercial transport trucks, farming equipment, logging trucks and cars. Be aware and always stay right and ride with the flow of the traffic.

Many of the cycling routes follow major highways. However good planning can bypass some of the highway routes by cycling along old backcountry paved roads which eventually hook back up again with the highways. In between the communities, along many of the cycle routes, are recreation campgrounds, provincial campgrounds, viewpoints, rest stops and pit toilets. There is, generally, no water taps available along the cycle routes so stock up in the communities.

Cycling in British Columbia provides some of the best wilderness scenery in Canada. All cyclists are required to wear a helmet. Cyclists planning for a long haul ride should be well prepared with a trip plan, equipment and proper clothing. It is important to note that cycling in the mountain regions of the Kootenays requires good preparation as temperatures and weather can change quickly in the alpine and, sometimes, help is not readily available.