A new business designed to bring a smile to the face of every customer is now open in Penticton.
Smile Cycle Tours, which uses a Dutch-made, 15-seat, heavy duty “quadricycle” bike to transport customers around town, is now open for business.
Owner Stuart Lang - and one of his three large tour bikes - was on display Tuesday evening at the Travel Penticton Truly Remarkable Unique Experiences (TRUE) Trade Show at the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre.
Often compared to the “Big Bike” used by the Multiple Sclerosis Society for fundraising events held across Canada, riders on Lang’s bikes “face inward” rather than sitting rows and get to engage more easily with other passengers.
“We’re really excited to be here in Penticton,” said Lang. “I’m thrilled with just how supportive the community has been to this business. There’s something really unique about this valley and its people.
“They want to enjoy immersive outdoor experiences and they want to have fun and that’s exactly what this business is all about. We had our first bike on the streets in Kelowna April 21 of last year and it’s really hard to believe how far we’ve come in just over one year.”
Lang said he called his business Smile Cycle Tours because “almost everyone who gets on one of our bikes and takes a tour does it with a huge smile on their face,” he said.
Participants will be part of an experience that is memorable, unique and fun as the various tours combine teamwork, outdoor adventure and a great time, said Lang, who graduated with Masters Degree in business from Dalhousie University.
Smile Cycle Tours specializes in special occasions, including bachelorette/stagettes, bachelor/stags, corporate social events, family reunions, birthday parties and anniversaries, he said. They also offer four distinct tours, including Discover Penticton, Craft Beer Crawl, Grapes and Grains and private excursions, he said.
While none of the tours include alcohol on the bike, Smile Cycle Tours has partnered with numerous local wineries, craft beer outlets and taphouses, to be part of his business, said Lang.
Those partners include Bad Tattoo Brewery, The Cannery Brewery, Time Winery, Old Order Distilling Company, Tugs Taphouse and the Penticton Wine Information Centre, said Lang. Tugs Taphouse serves Hwy. 97 and Tin Whistle Brewery products, which are also partners, he said.
“All beverage tours are two hours long and we make three stops,” he said. “We spend approximately 20 to 30 minutes at each feature partner location.”
Tour guides will keep participants informed as to how much time remains at each stop so they can make the most of their time and overall experience on their tour, he said.
Alcohol can not be consumed outside of licensed areas at the various partner locations, he said, but participants can bring containers or carrying bags to purchase wine or other products from the businesses they visit, he said.
If you are pregnant or don’t wish to imbibe and are simply along for the fun, there are several non-alcoholic options available at partner locations, he said.
If your entire group is not imbibing, the Discover Penticton tour is the option for you.
“Riders are welcome to take advantage of our storage for purchases made along the way,” he said.
While the bikes used by Smile Cycle Tours hold up to 15 people and group participation is encouraged, single seats are also sold and staff will pair participants up with other smaller groups to make the experience a great time, said Lang.
“We do need a minimum of eight people to pedal the bike, unless otherwise specified,” he said. "If we are not able to book a minimum of eight seats, the bike will not go out for physical reasons as it does take at lease eight people to generate enough energy to move the bike.”
A big focus of the business will be large group activities like socials, birthday parties, stags, stagettes and bachelor parties, team-building events, family reunions and even sports teams, said Lang.
These tours require a minimum of eight riders and can accommodate a maximum of fifteen, he said.
Proper pedalling footwear, a water bottle for refill at any of our partner spots, and appropriate weather attire are also encouraged, he said.
For those over the age of 16, helmets are available but not required to be worn. For those under the age of 16, helmets must be worn. Aadult and youth sizes available. Customers are welcome to bring their own helmet, if desired.
Staff will contact participants or group leaders if there are less than eight seats booked for your time slot. If a ride is cancelled due to this minimum, payment will be refunded if unable to reschedule your reservation.
All tours are fully refundable up to 72 hours prior to the activity, but if you cancel less than three days (72 hours) in advance, there will be no refund or rain-check for your payment, he said.
All rides are required to be paid in full at the time of booking, he said.
Though the Okanagan is known for its consistent and frequent sunshine, when rain is in the forecast please come prepared with a rain jacket as all tours go rain or shine.
Five of the fifteen seats available on board are non-pedalling seats. Of the five, three are located as bench on the back of the bike, and two are above the rear wheels, he said.
All tours start and end at The Peach on Lakeshore Drive, said Lang.
There hasn’t been “one single incident” in Kelowna of people complaining about the bikes slowing down traffic as most drivers observing the bike also have a big smile on their face, said Lang.
The touring bike is “completely green” and there are no emissions of any kind as solar panels provide the necessary power to move the vehicle up to seven miles per hour, he said.
The bikes made by the Dutch manufacturer “are the best in the world” in this particular niche market and he noted the first bike built back in the 1980s is still operational.
Lang is inviting all Penticton residents who want a sneak peak of exactly what Smile Cycle Tours has to offer to show up at The Peach on Lakeshore Drive starting at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday evening.
He will be offering free rides and answering any questions about his new business.
Anyone wishing to book a tour with Smile Cycle Tours can contact Lang at 250-469-2758 or book online at www.smilecycletours.ca/penticton
