Myra Canyon British Columbia - One of Canada's and British Columbia's most unique cycling events is ready to roll once again this Canada Day holiday weekend as the Okanagan Trestles Tour takes place.
 
Event director Glenn Bond said 700 cyclists have pre-registered for the sixth annual event, which takes place Sunday.
 
Because of the size and scope of the event, late registrations are not being accepted, he said.
 
"We've got people coming in from all over Western Canada, including all over British Columbia, many parts of the United States, and several from overseas in Europe and other destinations," said Bond, in a phone interview Thursday morning.
 
This isn't a competitive race as no times are kept and there are no mass starts as people can begin their ride at their own leisure, he said.
 
It's all about enjoying the incredible beauty of the Okanagan Valley, while cycling with friends, family members, and fellow cyclists, he said.
 
The Okanagan Trestles Tour offers three different routes, including the most popular 80 kilometre route from Myra Canyon in Kelowna to the Penticton Lakeside Resort in downtown Penticton.
 
The 40 kilometre course runs from Chute Lake Resort to the Penticton Lakeside Resort and there's also a 20 kilometre Glenfir Loop that also ends up at the Penticton Lakeside Resort.
 
For the more than 500 people signed up for the 80 kilometre distance, they will travel across 20 trestles and bridges and encounter four tunnels and a mountain bike is highly recommended as there are sections of sand and very rough sections along the Kettle Valley Railway route, said Bond.
 
The first 11 kilometres of the event feature 18 bridges and trestles and two tunnels.
 
Less than three kilometres into the tour, riders will travel across Trestle 11, which is the high point of the entire route.
 
Riders take off on the "pancake flat" start line at Myra Canyon and travel more than 36 kilometres to Chute Lake and then begin a noticable 2.2 percent descent all the way into downtown Penticton, he said.
 
There will be six food and water stations along the route, along with several first aid and bicycle mechanics stations, he said.
 
Chute Lake Resort, which is the halfway point of the tour and start line for the 40 kilometre event, features rustic cabins and lodge rooms, along with an antiques museum with a collection of farm, railway and assorted memorabilia, said Bond.
 
The Glenfir loop, which marks the beginning of the 20 kilometre event, is a place where trains had to stop for 10 minutes to cool their brakes before proceeding into Penticton.
 
This year marks the 104th anniversary of the original construction of the trestles through Myra Canyon and it has been 15 years since the Okanagan Mountain Fire and this year's tour will help celebrate the rebuilding of Myra Canyon Trestles, he said.
 
For more information, visit the website at www.okanaganTrestleTour.com.
 
Keith Lacey.

OKthePK Joint Bar Editor:  Article abridged - Details about the ride and amenities removed.