Overview
This is a more leisurely tour designed to allow participants a chance to savour the summer
ambience within the mountain environment in south central British Columbia. Though surrounded
throughout the tour by the Monashee and Shuswap mountains, the route never ascends over any
passes. We wind our way through picturesque valleys, alongside lakes and rivers, and through
forest, farm, orchard, and summer holiday playgrounds. The Mabel Circuit Cycle Tour is a closed
loop that starts and finishes at Three Valley Gap on the Trans Canada Highway, about twenty
kilometres west of Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada.
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Traditional farm south of Mabel Lake.
Photo Credit: P. LaGrandeur July, 1999
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Riders will travel this route in the self supported mode without the presence of any support
vehicles. Self reliance on what is carried on the bicycle is essential. Food and cooking
equipment, camping and sleeping gear, and clothing for hot, cold, wet, and dry weather will all
have to be on board the bicycles. Supplies and restaurants will be available at various locations along the route
after the first day. Participants are advise to have previous experience in self supported bicycle
touring as a foundation for this tour.
Riders must be prepared to carry everything they require ON their bicycles. A "hybrid"
or mountain bike would be the ideal style of bicycle for
this trip and must be capable of carrying panniers (unless
the rider is keen to carry a back pack the entire length
of the route - (NOT recommended!) or pull a "bob" trailer (this usually works
quite well). There is no luggage
vehicle or sag wagon available for this tour.
Bring clothes for ALL types of weather. It could be +30 every day or
there could be rain and cold temperatures.
It goes without saying that everyone should have first
aid skills. This is a basic life skill that all persons should have.
All participants should make up their own first aid kits according to
their own needs.
Never forget the bug dope in the great outdoors. And the
bear repelling spray. And the sun block cream with the sun glasses.
All participants are required to wear approved bicycle helmets,
properly fastened, while operating a bicycle on this EVCC tour.
Participants would be wise to have some means of filtering and
purifying water with them on their bikes. There will be lakes
and streams along the way, but not always sources of prepared drinking water when needed.
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