British Columbia is home to a 600 km system of abandoned railway beds.. this is heaven for anyone looking for a gentle but adventurous spin. We cycled the Myra Canyon section, located just off McCulloch Road in Kelowna, BC (aptly named after Andrew McCulloch, who began construction of the railway system in 1910). The Kettle Valley Railway was built to access silver ore but due to costs, closed in the early 1960′s.
The Myra Canyon section boasts 16 wooden trestles, 2 steel bridges and 2 tunnels.. all in just over 8 km. The elevation grade is a mere 2.2% so it is a gentle but visually stunning stretch to hike or bike.
As my wheels spun under me, I made my way anxiously to the first trestle bridge.. it was impossible to look down on that first one. With a prayer and eyes focussed straight ahead, I ventured on with trepidation, but after trestle upon trestle, I began to relax and enjoy the elevation. Notwithstanding.. I became overly confident, completely distracted by the scenery, and managed to go “off-the-rails” near the end. Luckily, I landed uneventfully on my side with only minor scrapes and a few not-to-be-mentioned cuss-words.
If you’re in the area.. you shouldn’t miss this! You can even drive to the top and rent bikes from Myra Canyon Rental all summer long.. just would book ahead to avoid disappointment as these bikes go fast.
♥
Saddle worn and spinning-tsk of spokes
Wheels and chain chart the parallel lines
Of steel horse and carriages hurtling by,
Long since stilled and gravelled over.
Wind chugs past pounding foot pedals,
While traversing curved bridged trestles
Lure their crossing, elevations stagger
With creosote smote daggers of fear.
Rumble of creek beds tumble beneath
Railbeds silenced by rolling tires and
Trudging boots toward paths-end, lofty
Creaking timber ghost-towns’ sentinels.
Barreling blind beneath stone walled caves,
Darkness traces coal-burnt engine’s steam
Lining these tunnels that stand rugged
And time’s test for this traveler’s memory.
Tranquil turns follow precarious scaffold trail
Until impending storm wind-forced cover
Seeks sturdy wooden spanning beams
And an end in June Spring’s Station.
Barbara Bamber, July 2012
You can see the vast tracts of burnt trees here..
12 of the 18 original trestle bridges were destroyed by a fire in 2003. I am overjoyed that every single bridge has been lovingly restored.
♥
When tired and famished after a long day’s expedition, improvisation of a loved recipe can be a quick solution. You may have tried my Roasted Asparagus Tart.. as well, Nature’s Fare Markets had luscious heirloom tomatoes on offer. Of course, I was delighted to see they also carry the tiny Buffalo Mozzarella Pearls (used in this Lasagna Bites recipe)!
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by Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen
Love that first photo and I saw those pearls at a local grocers recently but now I have to remember which store!
This is one gorgeous tart, Barbara. I want to take a bite right off of my screen, but I would be so disappointed if I did. I haven’t made my first tomato tart of 2012 yet, but it will be soon.
Lovely post – such dramatic scenery! And a delicious tart to finish the day. Perfect.
Wonderful post (as always!). I really enjoy riding my bicycle on rail trails, and this one looks spectacular. I’ll have to put it on my list of places I want to ride someday.
The tart looks spectacular too.
Your poetical spirit captured me;
Beautiful photographs were a visual travel;
and finally this amazing recipe made me hungry
Thank you dear Barbara, as always it was the best post!
Love, nia
How did your new bike ride on your journey? Great little adventure with a great little ending. I love fresh mozzarella on my pizza and heirloom tomatoes are in my dreams. I am heading back to the States at the end of this week and I can’t wait to bite into a real homegrown juicy tomato. I love the your tomato rainbow. Take Care, BAM
How gorgeous! Both the journey and the tart.
It sounds like a wonderful place for a bike ride – I haven’t come across the word trestle bridges before, but I’m imagining the sound of th ewheels as they cross the boards, I’d like that sound!
And I remember those mozerella pearls, and I’m still drooling. But what a sim[ple tasty treat after a day in the saddle. Thank you!
What an outstanding ride! I too would be super nervous of going over the bridge… – think I would peddle as fast as I can to get to the other side! Sorry to hear you got hurt, even just a little.
Mandy xo
I’m definitely putting this on my list of things to do next time I’m in BC. How cool is that? I would have definitely been chicken on the first tresle bridge, but I am so glad you overcame your fear and shared the photos with us. Albeit with minor scrapes and cuts. Cuss words would have been expected and a surprise if they hadn’t happened.
That tomato tart looks incredible, Smidge, I love roasted tomatoes with bocconcini, a delightful summer dinner.
Great story, poem and recipe! That looks like a very scary ride.
I will try your tart. I bet the crust makes it!
Great poem – felt like I was on the trails too
especially with the wonderful images…and tart looks amazing!
I come from a railroad family…including my husband’s occupation, so this was a delight. We have traveled by train in the U.S. and have long discussed the Canadian Railways as potential travel in our retirement.
The recipe is wonderful, and as soon as my heirloom tomatoes begin in abundance, you can be sure this recipe will be on our plate. I’ve added it to my Pinterest board so I won’t forget! I really enjoy your poetry, Barbara. You reach into so many topics! Debra
That tart is positively gorgeous. I’m all drool-y! I’ve got to pin this one and get it on the table within the month! Love the sounds of a bike ride on old railways! (The Guinea Pig is in the rail business and I think he’d love it too! We’ll mark it for the next time we get up to BC. Love that they restored the trestles! They belong!) And Sorry about your bumps and scrapes Smidge! (A few aptly-sung curses can help though!) We have to remember what our mothers said and “Keep your eyes on the road, dear!” xoxox
That sounds like fun and the tart looks delicious
What an excellent use of redundant railway tracks. I am sorry to hear about your tumble from the bike. I think I would have to look straight ahead as well when crossing one of those bridges – it is good to hear that the damaged ones have been restored. Lovely images and a beautiful poem.
Barb, I’m glad you’re ok. Thank you so much for taking us on your trip with you, the scenery is amazing!!
There is so much here to love Smidge. I get lost in this one! That’s a good thing.
Your poem is such a welcome escape today, it’s beautiful. The pictures make me want to get the bike out and head to some of our trails, that also happen to be on old railway beds. What a fun, gorgeous ride you had. The more I read your posts, the more I just want to move to Canada and be done with it
What a gorgeous place…..with amazing people. 
Heirloom tomato tart?!?!? I’m in! Our heirlooms are just now starting to produce those beautiful little things too. It looks fantastic!
that mozerella looks so cute before it is cooked and are all the railway lines taken out? so you can ride the tracks.. how amazing.. you are so lucky and fiT!.. c
Ohhh my GODDD!! So these photos of the railway..gorgeous! I didn’t think the post could get any better. THEN I see that tomato bread thingaayy and I am drooling. That looks SO GOOD!
What a beautiful description my friend, and I absolutely love the scenery
I have a weird love of old railroads, they always seem so romantic!
This tart looks wonderful my friend, the flavours, the cheesiness
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I am so relieved that you are ok! I am a pathetic biker, for some reason my legs dislike biking with a passion, so I admire you for facing those tracks
beautiful poem, beautiful tomato tart, and I love, love, LOVE your new profile picture…
This sounds like a wonderful trip to make – and tart to eat!
I love love roasting tomatoes like this… especially when you use them to top a simple tart like this. Gorgeous photos from your trip!
What fantastic photos of a part of the world I have never had the chance to visit! You have captured the clement day and the storm clouds so evocatively! And then produced the wonderfully appetizing tart: just the kind of ‘twin’ post for a typical Gemini like me
!
1st – the food is YUM! 2nd – what a cool place – thanks for sharing – great photos:)
What a great trail for a bike ride and I can only imagine what the other 592 km have to offer. They’d have to be really fantastic to beat this section with its 16 wooden trestles. Your photos are really quite beautiful but I bet the “real thing” is truly spectacular. And if your photography didn’t transport me to the rail beds, your poem surely did. You wanted us to get there, one way or another. And our reward? This beautiful tart. I cant wait for my tomatoes to start ripening. I may not be able to bike those trails but this tart I can and will make!
That tomato tart looks awesome! If I had that waiting for me for lunch, I bet I’d be inspired to bicycle along that trail at record speed! What a beautiful, awe-inspiring trip that must have been. Thank you for sharing and reminding me my bicycle is not meant to be left in the garage!
What a beautiful part of the world to go cycling. I would have been so in awe of the scenery I would have fallen off many more times than once! I love your images Smidge. And you even included a poem! What a complete blog post. Your heirloom tomato tart looks so delicious. What a great meal to come home to after a day out in the fresh air xx
Hi there, are you in British Columbia now ????? Canada is a stunning country … and BC is so beautiful with its mountains, lakes … ocean, vineyards. Your photos give is justice – didn’t know about the railway. Loads I don’t know about Canada really
you are far braver than I am! And that tart looks delicious
How funny, I took the pastry out of my freezer last night to make one of these today. Do hope it looks as good as yours! What a great bike ride, but so sorry to herar you fell off. Hope you´ve got plenty of arnica to rub onto those bruises
Would have to ride a bike through the railways! and wow your heirloom tomato tart looks really pretty awesome! I can only imagine how good this must taste!
Oh my goodness…your tart makes me dream of eating “real” cheese again! And what a gorgeous meal. I had a nice conversation with Chicago John about buffalo cheese a while back. I had been mistaken thinking that it was just a name for cheese and not actually cheese made from buffalo milk. I haven’t been able to find it around here but am hoping that once I do, it will add another cheese to my list that I can eat.
Love the photos of your trail ride! We have a trail in Idaho very similar to yours. It’s called the Hiawatha Trail. We’ve ridden it twice over the past few years. Always so much fun and of course, gorgeous scenery. The only part I dread are the two tunnels that are very long and pitch black except for a tiny dot of white light at the very end. Usually one person or two in our group has a light on their bike so we can at least see right in front of us…but it doesn’t help with that claustrophobic feeling!
~ April
Reading your poem I felt as if I was there! It’s very evocative. Stunning photos, too, as always.
That cycle route looks wonderful, Barbara. Reminds me of our Camel Trail in Cornwall – full of surprises and the romance of a rail route….
So beautiful – we are going to Kelowna for an extended long weekend… will definitely bring our bikes (or rent a couple!)
Hi Barbara,
I’m passing along the Versatile Blogger Award to you! If you have won it before, I believe you can accept it again if you’d like. The details are on today’s post at my site if you need to know more. I absolutely love your work.
Wishing you every blessing,
Christina
Oh that would be such a lovely ride to do. I’d love to that!
How rugged and beautiful all at once.
That is a gorgeous and colorful tart!
Wow, that looks YUMMY! And sounds like you had a great cycling adventure!
Another fabulous post!
Glad you got to go out and use your beautiful bike! Looks like a lovely ride, though I’m not sure if i’d've gotten over the heights.
Beautiful photos! I am loving this Tomato Tart…I can’t wait to give it a try as soon as my tomatoes ripen!
The poetry is back ! Lovely lovely lovely writing as always. That tart looks spectacular – and how cute are those bocconcini balls ??
First…the pizza looks fabulous. Second and most emphatic…you rode across one of those bridges????? My hats off to you Smidge! You are a brave one. This looks like such a gorgeous ride.
Your heirloom tomato tart looks scrumptious.
Lovely photos and that tomato tart looks insanely good!
I love bike riding along old railways because they are so flat, usually, with easy grades and therefore you can see so much around you. This one looks particularly scenic and I love all the tunnels and bridges…what fun! And to come home to that lovely tart, what a perfect day!
What a trip! Gorgeous photos and you had my heart pounding – that first trestle! Feeling awfully jealous of your bike trip and your tart. Sounds like a perfect day!
This is so..so cool! I want to ride this
Wow..your posts are so polished and precise. A+
I made this tart on Thursday for a potluck lunch in the department – my tomatoes were way too juicy, and the center of the tart didn’t have much chance to rise, I should probably have drained the slices over paper towels just to be on the safe side… but it tasted awesome and everyone loved it! If the pictures turned out ok, I’ll be blogging on it soon, and will give you all the credit, of course!
I am wondering if pre=baking the tart crust for 10 minutes or so and then add the toppings would help – when the tomatoes are too juicy like mine were
thanks for a great recipe, and gorgeous to boot!
(hope you are having a great beginning of weekend)
It might be worth trying if there’s so much juice in your tomato..they can sure vary. I will add this to the recipe for anyone else trying. I’m sorry it didn’t work out the best for you the first time! I’m not sure prebaking would give the tomatoes a chance to soften? But it would be worth a try!! I’m glad you made this one, I love it.. Thanks somuch:D xx
I have a mountain bike out at the lake.. but my bike would have been even more fun with it’s fat tires and comfy seat:D
I was chicken.. I think the reason I fell over at the end was because I got brave enough to look over the edge as I was riding, lol!
I think Canada should embrace having more travel via rail.. There is a line that runs from Alberta to BC that is supposed to be a wonderful ride with gorgeous views! I’m intrigued that you’re from a railroad family. My great grandfather helped to build the rails in Canada when he came over from Ireland. I should have mentioned that in my post:D
There are a few people in the rail business.. I wish more travel in Canada was done by rail, Europe seems to have figured that one out before us! xx Smidge
ps my eyes are on the road now, not the prize;)
You’re so fortunate to have an heirloom plant or two.. they would be that much sweeter than mine. xx Smidge
ps.. I’m having trouble going to your site??
They’ve replaced the lines with a boardwalk. I’m not sure what happened before the bridges burned.. perhaps the rails were removed long ago because they aren’t on the pathway sections either. xx
Thanks:D
Oh, but it was awesome! Phil went nuts for it, and didn’t think it was a problem that the center didn’t “puff”
my photos (I just checked) didn’t turn out nearly as beautiful as yours, but I think they are still “bloggable” – so it will be at the Bewitching sometime in the next 3 weeks (have a few other posts already set to publish…)
I was thinking it would be worthwhile wearing one of those little spelunking lights on my head so I could beam my way through:D ps I was trying to find a gluten free ready made puff pastry.. is there such a thing??
I was wondering as well.. one day I will do the “tour” where they pick you up at the end. That way you can cycle all the way to Penticton… now if they just added wine tastings along the way, lol, but then I’d probs fall off one of the bridges:D Thanks so much!!
My pastry didn’t “puff” as much as I expected, either, so I think you’ve found the solution:D I’m happy and humbled that you’d make and post this one! xx
I haven’t tried to make it yet because I would need to use dairy free butter and I’m not sure if it would have the same consistency. You can Google Gluten Free Puff Pastry and there are a lot of recipes and I think even special flours that you can buy. Let me know how it goes!
What an exceptional, visually pleasing blog you have created. It is so pretty and enticing. And to have a “printable copy”of the recipe available is handy AND generous. I share your recipes on FB and my friends are in awe, too. You make life nice.
I still take my hat off to you Barbara, so cool that you did it!
Thank you so much.. You’re so sweet:) xx
I love this post. The combination of travel and recipes reminds me of a David Lebovitz book.
What a magical ride, I would love to do that, fab food too, nice work.
[...] And, to top it all, everything she cooks makes my mouth water… Last month she had this tomato tart featured on her blog, and since heirloom tomatoes insist on jumping in my grocery cart, I [...]
Hi there! My husband is away and I was looking for something simple and delicious to make for myself tonight. This looks GLORIOUS! Such a beautiful blog you have! Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much, Sylvia! xx