Vancouver Island back road trip
#1
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Vancouver Island back road trip
Any body here ridden in recent years Vancouver island tip to tip via back roads? If so any words of wisdom for a person planning the trip next spring. Thanks.
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Last week we completed the first full ride through from Cape Scott in the North-West down to Victoria in the South-East. ~850kms & 12,590m climbing [531miles & 41,300'] in 7.5 days of riding.
https://vikapproved.wordpress.com/20...g-trip-report/
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Thanks for the reply. Just what I was looking for.
#4
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A better question would be: "Where are you starting your trip?"
There are plenty of good rides on the Island, as well as the Gulf Islands as well. The Saanich Pennisula, has the Lochside Regional Trail that extends from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal to Victoria, as well as the Galloping Goose Regional Trail. There are a number of roads to explore there and the Brentwood Bay/Mill Bay ferry will help you bypas the grade (and not so rare crashes) of the Malahat. Naniamo has some good roads to explore as well, including Gabriola Island and Newcastle Island Provincial Park. Following the original highway routes (HWY 1A and 19A) has potential, as the keep fairly close to the sea side.
There are a few other routes to explore as well.
There are plenty of good rides on the Island, as well as the Gulf Islands as well. The Saanich Pennisula, has the Lochside Regional Trail that extends from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal to Victoria, as well as the Galloping Goose Regional Trail. There are a number of roads to explore there and the Brentwood Bay/Mill Bay ferry will help you bypas the grade (and not so rare crashes) of the Malahat. Naniamo has some good roads to explore as well, including Gabriola Island and Newcastle Island Provincial Park. Following the original highway routes (HWY 1A and 19A) has potential, as the keep fairly close to the sea side.
There are a few other routes to explore as well.
#5
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I did a fair few kms on the logging roads on Vancouver Island last year. If you're planning on using logging roads, what kind of bike are you taking? I was on 50mm tires and wouldn't want to be on much narrower than that.
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West side is rainier it can get a lot of rain. As you would expect from geography. The driest spot is around Victoria.
I've ridden out there at Easter a few times. It can be really rainy or it can be warm and pleasant.
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I can start or end in Victoria depending on how I end up planning the trip. The original plan is to use the north island roads keeping as much as possible off main roads.
A 1990 fat chance wicked which I have one several tours on after I retired it from my main racing bike in the mid 90's. Right now its set up with Compass Rat Trap 2.3 inch tires. Timing of the trip is the first 10 days of August.
Thanks for the input.
what kind of bike are you taking?
Thanks for the input.
#9
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#10
Resident smartass.
If you do venture onto side roads, be aware that logging trucks MAY be of the very large, off highway variety, though I'm not sure if they are still used. Sunday would be the best time to explore these roads.
Other than that, enjoy the ride and take lots of pics. We'd love to see where you went.
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If you do venture onto side roads, be aware that logging trucks MAY be of the very large, off highway variety, though I'm not sure if they are still used. Sunday would be the best time to explore these roads.
Other than that, enjoy the ride and take lots of pics. We'd love to see where you went.
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[QUOTE]If you do venture onto side roads, be aware that logging trucks MAY be of the very large, off highway variety, though I'm not sure if they are still used. Sunday would be the best time to explore these roads.[QUOTE]
Living on the Olympic peninsula I thought I was use to logging trucks. But I had no idea the behemoths you mentioned existed until planning this trip. I ride remote roads and encounter trucks, so far they have been easy to deal with. I listen for them coming and attempt to be in a place that doesn't hinder them. I am of course recreating and they are working. Generally getting paid by the load.
Other than that, enjoy the ride and take lots of pics. We'd love to see where you went.
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Once you get north of Campbell River, you're going to be on the highway for the most part. On the flip side, traffic isn't too bad and there are plenty of side trips into communities along the way.
If you do venture onto side roads, be aware that logging trucks MAY be of the very large, off highway variety, though I'm not sure if they are still used. Sunday would be the best time to explore these roads.
Other than that, enjoy the ride and take lots of pics. We'd love to see where you went.
If you do venture onto side roads, be aware that logging trucks MAY be of the very large, off highway variety, though I'm not sure if they are still used. Sunday would be the best time to explore these roads.
Other than that, enjoy the ride and take lots of pics. We'd love to see where you went.
The route is all GDR/TD style logging roads. However, you will pass through 4 towns with amazing trail networks should you want to drop the camping gear and spend a couple days shredding while reloading on beer and pizza!
Unfortunately our ride the remaining ~50kms from Holberg happened to coincided with a shift change and being a Friday afternoon the lumberjacks needed to rush to Port Hardy to ensure they didn't miss out on the last pint of beer and last decent looking lady. It wasn't life and death for us, but it did ruin the ride from an enjoyment perspective.
#15
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I was fine with the logging trucks when I rode there. You hear them coming, so I just stopped and got out of the way, then gave them a friendly wave as they went by. Always got a friendly response.
It's their road, but if you're using it respectfully they don't mind you being there. And they'll tell the other drivers that there's a crazy guy on a bike out there, so they are all aware that you're there, and also how you're conducting yourself on the road. I found that the vast majority of drivers would slow right down as they passed me to cut down on the amount of dust kicked up in my face.
It's their road, but if you're using it respectfully they don't mind you being there. And they'll tell the other drivers that there's a crazy guy on a bike out there, so they are all aware that you're there, and also how you're conducting yourself on the road. I found that the vast majority of drivers would slow right down as they passed me to cut down on the amount of dust kicked up in my face.
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I was fine with the logging trucks when I rode there. You hear them coming, so I just stopped and got out of the way, then gave them a friendly wave as they went by. Always got a friendly response.
It's their road, but if you're using it respectfully they don't mind you being there. And they'll tell the other drivers that there's a crazy guy on a bike out there, so they are all aware that you're there, and also how you're conducting yourself on the road. I found that the vast majority of drivers would slow right down as they passed me to cut down on the amount of dust kicked up in my face.
It's their road, but if you're using it respectfully they don't mind you being there. And they'll tell the other drivers that there's a crazy guy on a bike out there, so they are all aware that you're there, and also how you're conducting yourself on the road. I found that the vast majority of drivers would slow right down as they passed me to cut down on the amount of dust kicked up in my face.
www.backroadsbiketouring.com
Sorry about non clickable link don't have 10 posts.