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| Pedal power is a
great way to see Vancouver Island, whether it's a leisurely ride along Victoria's Harbour
that ends with an ice cream cone or a 20-kilometer, bush-whacking expedition on a forested
logging road that leaves you mud-splattered, probably wet, and smiling exuberantly. Many communities have built biking paths or designated certain streets as the best for sightseeing cyclists. Some of these paths and streets follow the diverse shoreline while others take you through mature neighborhoods. Away from the urban areas, thousands of kilometers of logging roads and trails take you to places of astounding beauty. Some of Vancouver Island's favorite cycling spots are:
Maps online below South Island Mountain Bike Society Comox Valley Mountain Bike .Com SOUTH ISLANDDallas Road - On a sunny day, there's nothing more relaxing to cycle along Victoria's Dallas Road. Following the southern shoreline of Vancouver Island, the route takes you past stately homes, a pioneer cemetery and a number of bays and beaches. Downtown Victoria - While you have to contend with traffic, cycle along Government Street then take any of the sidestreets that will take you down to Wharf Street and the harbor. Head south past the Empress Hotel, then swing right along Belleville Street and the Legislative Buildings. Continue west, following the road as it curves around the south end of Victoria, past Odgen Point. Soon you'll come to Douglas Street, on your left. That's the southern most point of the Trans Canada Hwy. on Vancouver Island. Heading up Douglas, the famed Beacon Hill Park will be on your right. Galloping Goose Trail - Click here for maps. This converted railbed is a very popular urban/rural biking trail. Starting at Atkins Road in Victoria, the trail runs 47 kilometers west to Leechtown near Sooke. It passes through farmland, forest and along the ocean shore. The trail is also used by hikers and horseback riders, so be cautious. Click here for Vancouver Island Trans Canada Trail info. Chemainus - A great day's outing is to cycle the trail of yellow footprints around this little community north of Duncan. The footprints take you past the giant murals, painted on the sides of buildings. Nanaimo - From the Departure Bay ferry terminal, head south along Stewart Road and the Nanaimo Harbor Walkway. This harborfront path offers an easy cycle past fishing fleets, marine pubs, behind the downtown area to Fisherman's Wharf in the south. Watch for pedestrians. NORTH ISLANDCourtenay - The downtown area (Fourth to Sixth Streets-Fitzgerald to Cliffe Avenues) is a nice easy cycle, with the chance to do some shopping. Mt. Washington - The ski hills offer super mountain biking, ranging from easy to extreme. Take the chairlift to the top, then prepare for a big downhill thrill. Campbell River Seawalk - One side of this paved seawalk is for cyclists. Starting in the south at Willow Point, the route heads north along the ocean. It offers some great views of Discovery Passage and Quadra Island. Please keep you bike on the correct side of the path as it is popular with pedestrians. Snowden Demonstration Forest - West of Campbell River off Brewster Lake Road, this area has extensive trails specifically for mountain biking. Low traffic logging roads and old railroad grades provided a network of potential routes varying in levels of difficulty. Several of the hiking trails are also multi-use. Remember, hikers and horseback riders have the right-of-way. The provincial Ministry of Forests has detailed maps of the extensive logging roads
and hiking/biking trails. You can get these maps at regional forestry offices. |
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