Spectacular Nelson to Trout Lake Loop on a KTM 690 Duke

This is a sphincter-shreddingly gorgeous ride that KTM might as well have built its 690 Duke road warrior around. Not that Austria lacks for similar roads, but this is right here in my country, Canada. We own this.

You'll be starting in Nelson, BC and crossing the bridge over the River Kootenay, up Hwy 3A toward Kokanee Creek Provincial Park, a place so fabulous a highly drinkable beer was named after it.

From there, you'll lean on into Balfour, where the 3A becomes 31, to continue north toward Ainsworth Hot Springs, on the west side of Kootenay Lake. Here's you'll stop, ditch your Kevlar and Cordura, don your Speedo, and hit the hot grotto (or outdoor pool if you're claustrophobic) to ready your mind and body for the balance of the ride.

Once you get up to Kaslo, stop in the Rosewood Cafe for a recharge and prepare your mind and body for the next leg, a blast through the endless twists of 31A through Trout Lake, then down toward New Denver.

Now you'll switch to Hwy 5 southbound, for the riotous shimmy along the east side of Slocan Lake to the town of the same name. Next up comes Lemon Creek and a handful of other small towns till you hit Playmor Junction, where you huck a left onto 3A for the last segment back to Nelson.

If you like this route, we recommend doing it the other way round. This will complete your understanding of this fine region.