Cycling in Coldstream

Our favourite cycling days are ones with warm sunny weather and great scenery.  We love to take time to explore interesting sites and visit inviting cafes and eateries. Sure the route could be done in one sweaty hour, but we prefer to savour the experience taking two or three hours. And there is no place better than the North Okanagan for such indulgent and interesting cycling!

On a cloudless Wednesday morning we pedal east on Okanagan Landing Road and cross Highway 97. Toddlers are squealing with delight in the spray park as we pass through Polson Park, getting an early start on what promises to be another hot summer day.  We continue through the south end of the park along the boardwalk over a sluggish Vernon Creek and pop out onto 14 Avenue and then onto Kalamalka Road, passing by a quiet Kal beach, yet to fill with sunbathers.

Quiet little Kirkland Beach on Kalamalka Lake

Taking Kalavista Drive we pass some palatial lakefront homes and turn onto Kirkland Drive to discover a little public beach and playground empty except for some ducks.  Continuing up Postill Drive we hook onto Kidston Road and strain to climb the hill up to Mackie Lake House then pause at Sovereign Park.  The hot sun lures us to the beach to take a dip.  The beach is empty and quiet.

Sovereign Park, Coldstrem
 

Bishop Wild Bird Sanctuary and Native Plant Garden, Coldstresm

Refreshed, we turn down Coldstream Creek Road and peer into a tangle of bushes at the end of the road.  The sign, "Bishop Wild Bird Sanctuary" is partially hidden and advises us to call ahead, but we meet Aaron Dean, the caretaker, in the driveway and he assures us the public are welcome.  We sign the guest book, take a pamphlet and begin a self guided tour.  The sanctuary was established by Lydia Bishop, an old time Coldstream resident "for the benefit of wild creatures and the entertainment and education of small groups". The garden is full of native plants and alive with the jabber of birds and flutter of butterflies.
After the solitude of the garden, we mount our bikes and climb up Coldstream Road through orchards of apples and pears, then coast down to cross the Coldstream Creek and turn north to link into Kalamalka Road.  We soon stop at Friesens Countrytyme Garden, part orchard and part bakery/ restaurant.  We tuck into bowls of Russian borscht  and fat cheese scones and relax on the shaded  patio before heading back west on Kalamalka Road.

Kingsmill Pottery Studio in Coldstream

 

At Aberdeen Road we steer right, stopping just before the rail crossing at Bob Kingsmill's Pottery Studio.  Here beside a babbling creek and beds bursting with summer flowers is a gallery adorned with masks, wall murals and whimsical but functional pottery.  Bob will greet you warmly most days (10 to 4) when he is not at his gallery on Granville Island.  It's best to phone ahead to avoid disappointment.( 250-549-4615)
We continue up Aberdeen, turn left onto Middleton Drive and right on Sarsons Road which connects with Middleton Way.  A short cruise down 11 Ave returns us to Kalamalka Road and we retrace our tracks back through Polson Park and home via Okanagan Avenue. 
After our leisurely 30 km, 3 hour outing we return home refreshed, well fed and inspired by the North Okanagan's natural beauty and the pottery of an outstanding local artist.