- Estimated Cost: $450
- Deposit: $100
- Max Trip Size: 6 people
*** CANCELLED ***
I am planning to do a self-contained bicycle tour — the Selkirk loop — next summer. This is a well-developed, nearly 400 mile, lightly trafficked road-cycling loop that starts in Sandpoint, Idaho (https://selkirkloop.org/) and which goes as far north as Kaslo, BC. It looks to be beautiful and it should have some spectacular downhills but with some very serious uphills. A commercial version (self contained, camping, shared cooking) is run by AdventureCycling.org for $1500 plus your transportation to Sandpoint. This commercial ride does the loop in 11 days (9 riding days, 43 miles/day) (https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/self-contained-tours/2020-selkirk-splendor/). They do great, cost efficient tours and I recommend them.
But I want to do this ride with lower daily mileage so that I can carry a bit more and spend more time in the parks along the way. Also, it will take 2 days to drive each way which seems to me to make an 11 day tour a bit short. I am hoping that up to 5 Rovers would be interested in joining me on this tour averaging about 30 miles/day. Those that feel the need to bike more than this could do portions of the many side loops that are possible (https://selkirkloop.org/maps/bicycling-map/). Dates are slightly flexible, but I think starting mid June will be best. I estimate a budget of $450 per person for a 15 day itinerary (12 riding, 3 off). The trip would be entirely camping with a mix of restaurants and camp cooking.
Costs not included in the trip estimate due to variability:
Travel by car (2 days each way) would be about $200/person;
Train (it stops in Sandpoint) about $550; or
Air (Spokane+shuttle) about $800+.
Sandpoint, ID -> Kaslo, BC -> Sandpoint, ID
These dates were chosen to try and avoid hot weather and wild fires. It will be a bit early in the summer to get much training in, but by going 30-40 miles per day, depending on terrain, will make doable.
Please contact me if you are interested.