August 16th 2023 – Sidney, BC

We have spent the last week exploring Vancouver Island.

The initial plan was to start out with The North Island 1000.  The track follows logging roads that are mostly well maintained and with very little traffic. I appreciate the effort put into the project. It makes it easy for visitors to experience the northern part of the island without getting lost on the extensive network of logging roads.

We encountered several pedal warriors and learned that the logging roads are popular in the bikepacking community. Most notably was Max and Eudiet traveling on a tandem bike. They originated from Scotland and South Africa respectively and now live together in Alberta. According to Eudiet traveling on a tandem bike will speed any relationship in whatever direction it is going.

Northern Vancouver Island is covered in trees. Views along the track of anything but trees is a rarity. It soon became tedious. As a result we often deviated to the paved roads – some of which was a blast to ride. The best one was road #28 between Gold River and Campbell River. Road #4 between Tofino and Parksville was also fun. When the forest opened up – especially along the coasts – the views were often spectacular.

The further south we got on the island the more flat, civilized and congested it became.

I don’t have salt water in my veins, but I believe that the best way to experience Vancouver island is from a boat. Many places can only be reached from the sea and there is a rich marine fauna. When we crossed over to the island a Humpback whale played in the water alongside the ferry. That is not something you see everyday.

We have been camping a couple of times on the island. On other occasions we have stayed with people who invited us in. One of them was Claire. She had another  guest staying. It was the 3rd time we had the pleasure of bumping into Mez. The four of us had a great time.

We also stayed with Jeff and his wife Shelley. We first met them in Powell River waiting for the ferry. Jeff came over and started talking. At some point Jeff pulled out pen and paper. He wrote down his address and phone number and invited us to come and stay with them, when we have had enough of roughing it in the north. He looked at Katrine and said: “ I know women. There will come a time when you need a good shower and a comfortable bed. We’ll have that ready for you”.

They spoiled us rotten when we arrived a few days later.

Now we are staying with Holly in Sidney. We last saw her in 2017. She lived in Toronto at the time. It’s good to catch up. When we don’t hang out at her place she is showing us around the area.

Katrine is, among other things, a landscape gardener so we had to visit The Butchart Gardens.

Victoria has a good vibe. It’s one of the most pleasant and laid-back capitals I’ve ever visited.

One morning I took Holly’s Can-Am Spyder for a spin. I’ve never ridden a 3-wheeler before and didn’t know what to expect. It was very different from riding a bike but an unique and fun experience nonetheless.

Today Holly left us. She has a job to do in California and will be gone for the rest of the week. Katrine and I will stay put for at least another couple of days. We have been busy having fun and will use the opportunity to catch up on things before we hit the road.