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:

Air Canada - Flying Fun for Kids - Flight from Toronto to Kelowna