Biking Because

Day 1. Newcastle Island. Left Vancouver early in the morning, riding from my house to the ferry which is about 35km. Grabbed the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo. First ferry by bike!  Fish and chips in the famous Trollers right on the harbour. The ferry to Newcastle island takes about 15 minutes and is similar to the aquabus in Vancouver. The Island is a pretty accessible and has a campground, no cars makes for a pretty chill time. I biked around the Island and relaxed by the tent eating dinner with a kick ass view back into Nanaimo harbour.

Waiting for the ferry to Newcastle

Day 2. Rathtrevor Beach. I’d definitely recommend Newcastle to anyone for a peaceful weekend getaway specially since its so accessible from metro Vancouver. Packed up early and caught the mini ferry back to Nanaimo. I was now northbound on the Island Highway. Rolled into Rathtrevor Beach provincial park about 2pm. I’d never been here before so I didn’t know what to expect. The campground has a separate campsite for hiker/biker folks which is great. Plenty of space there though the regular sites seemed pretty full. Spent the evening sat by the water drinking tea and reading. Cooked some food by my campsite, chatted with Lisa who was camped beside and nodded off soon after that.

Rathtrevor Beach

Fisherman at Rathtrevor

Day 3. Port Alberni. Today took me over the hump. The ridge in the center of the Island that’s known locally as the hump is a bit of a climb and a good workout. Packed up in Rathtrevor and set out early, through Coombs. Stopped at the World Parrot Refuge, pretty interesting place. Hundreds of parrots with plenty to say. Rode through MacMillan provincial park feeling dwarfed by the giant redwoods on display through the park. Stopped at Sproat lake for a bit of lunch and then crawled over the hump and into Port Alberni.

Sproat Late

Campfire

Day 4 & 5. Tofino.

Alan and Denise

Crossroads

Day 6 Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park.

Day 7. Gabriola Island.

Gabriola Cemetery

Campsite on Gabriola

Day 8. Bamberton Provincial Park.

Day 9. Saturna Island.

Orca on Saturna

Heritage house

Day 10. Vancouver. Up and at ’em early. Packed up my tent and grabbed the ferry from Saturna back to Tsawwassen ferry terminal in Richmond. Biked through the flat quiet countryside of South Delta on into Surrey. Couple of hours later and the adventure was over. I was back at home and having a pint on Commercial Drive.