TYKES CAN TOUR -
OUTDOOR FAMILY ADVENTURE IN THE OKANAGAN
While planning a recent visit to Kelowna
and the Okanagan Valley visions of biking the famous
Kettle Valley Railline flashed before my eyes.
Then thoughts of what we would do with the
kids while biking entered the picture.
Being avid cyclists before we had
children and then continuing with the sport once the
children arrived, we were quite familiar with the use of a
cart for towing children and a trail-a-bike has been a
part of our biking gear for the last few years. We just
couldn't imagine taking the trail-a-bike, helmets and our
usual biking gear on the flight with us.
Tykes Can Tour came to our rescue with a
solution that allowed us to bike with the kids and have
them experience this beautiful area as well. |
Owner
Joe Kyle provided snacks along the way. |
This innovative touring company provides
all the equipment, including bikes, helmets, trailers for
children ages 1 and up, trail-a-bikes (attaches to adult
bike with separate seat, handles and peddles for child and
back rest) lunch and guide for a great biking adventure.
While it was a little early in the year to
bike the Kettle Valley Trail (early April), Joe Kyle, the
owner and operator of Tykes Can Tour suggested a trail
just north of Penticton, where wild horses were reputed to
frequent the trailside.
We were picked up at our hotel in
air-conditioned comfort with Joe providing us a guided
tour to the valley along the way. Snacks and juice
pleased the kids and once we parked the van, bikes were
unloaded, fitted to each rider and equipped with
water.
Safety is a priority for Joe, who is
trained in Emergency first aid and carries a first aid kit
and cell phone in the cart he pulls along with our lunch
and snacks.
Anxious to see the wild horses, helmets on,
then off we went along an abandoned railline with a scenic
view of Lake Okanagan up a slight grade that was easy to
manage.
We rounded a bend and there they
were. "These horses are descended
from those used during the construction of the
Railroad", Joe told us. |
A stallion and 3
mares, eyed us warily as we approached. |
I was amazed at how close the kids were
able to approach the horses and they continued to graze as
we peddled by.
Before too long we heard "I'm
hungry" and Joe had it planned just right as we
arrived at a research garden for our picnic lunch.
|
After lunch and a quick tour of the
gardens we headed back to the bikes, but not before
viewing the trestle over a deep gorge. |
A steady descent provided an easy return
to the van past another herd of horses hiding in the
hills.
Our guide spent 20 years working for
Canadian Pacific Railroad and regaled us with many
interesting facts about the history and nature of the
area.
We wish to thank Tykes Can Tour for
providing us with this unique option to explore the
Okanagan Valley on bikes with our children.
In addition to Biking the Kettle Valley
Railline and other area trails, Tykes Can Tour also offers
hiking and in the winter conducts Kicksledding and
Snowshoeing tours.
Bike carts are converted for hiking and
in winter equipped with skis for snowshoeing with little
ones.
Why not try the unique experience of
Kicksledding if you are visiting in the winter.
Norwegian CrosSleds are a great way to enjoy the trails
with children seated up front while parents use a kicking
motion to propel the sled.
Want to head out on your own, Tykes Can
Tour also has most equipment available for hourly and
daily rental.
To view listing and contact Tykes Can Tour
go to British Columbia Family Attractions.
To view listings of accommodations in
Kelowna go to British Columbia Hotels and Resorts.
|
For Bike Safety News and Helmet Safety Click Below:
For more travel information about the Okanagan Valley
go to:
Manteo Resort - Deluxe Family Resort on Lake
Okanagan
Rediscover Kelowna's Fabulous Lake Okanagan Resort,
Kelowna
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