Biking the Galloping Goose

[hardrockminer]

For those of you who also like to ride bicycles, we are over on the Island right now, just finishing riding the Galloping Goose Trail.  Like most former railway right of ways this one is fairly flat and tree lined most of the way.  There are nice views of the Ocean as you approach Sooke.  Winds come off the ocean so it's been fairly cool, which is a relief after riding from Kelowna to Midway last summer.  The trail is very well maintained, consisting of hard pack crusher dust for the most part.  It's also heavily used by locals.  There are a lot of electric bikes with newbies in their hot coloured biking outfits thinking they're getting a good workout. 

We camped at the Potholes campground, near the north end of the trail.  It's designed for tenters, but small RV's are also allowed in a few spaces.  Price is only $25 per night, but there are no services other than potable water outlets at several locations.

Today we're moving on to try some of the Trans Canada Trail from Malahat northwards towards Duncan.  Then back home to Chase for some pedalless biking!

[Steve G.]

   Tell us about your bicycle please. And your tires of choice. I'm an avid bicyclist, mostly now for the cardio workout, as it's my doctor's choice for me with my '40yr hockey/30yr raquetball' knees. I've got 2 vintage road bicycles, a 1950's Raleigh, and a mid 90's Marin mtn bike, my main ride. 

[hardrockminer]

My bike is a Kona Dawg Deluxe that I bought in 2008.  It's full suspension.  My partner's is a Kona Lisa hardtail that she bought the same year.  My tires...right now I have a Maxis on the front and a Schwalb on the rear.  I had a Maxis on the rear but somehow it was badly cut while we were driving over to the Island, so I replaced it with my spare.  I bought the Maxis tires last winter from Fortnine.  When at home I normally ride 30 to 40 km every morning....summer only.  Winters I'm indoors on a spinner or XC skiing.

Yesterday we started at Kinsol parking lot on the Cowichan Valley Trail and rode to the Holt Creek Trestle, about 15 km, and then returned to Kinsol.  This is a well used section of the Trans Canada Trail system and is kept in good shape except for about a kilometer that also serves as a road to a couple of homes.  The surface is mostly hardpack crusher fines and is double track width...need to ride single file due to the traffic.

Today we plan to head up to Cowichan Lake.  I will drop Sweetums off with the doggies and she will head down to Duncan.  Meanwhile I'll drive the RV back to Duncan and head up to meet her on the trail and then head back to the RV.  Should be another 30 km day.

No definite plan for tomorrow, but looking at a stretch between Chemainus and Ladysmith along the coast.  It's only 12 km but would be a nice out and back.

[hardrockminer]

Today I dropped Sweetums off at Lake Cowichan and drove down to a parking lot in Duncan before riding back up to meet her.  This section is very good but not well travelled.  It was steep enough that I didn't make it to the half way point before running into Sweetums.  She had an easy time of it.

Tomorrow we are going to do a 12k stretch between Chemainus and Ladysmith.  It's 12 out and 12 back, parallel to the ocean shorline.  Hopefully we get some nice views.

[hardrockminer]

Today we did a section of CV trail between Chemainus and Ladysmith, about 24 km there and back.  The trial is well maintained.  It runs on road surface in a couple of spots but is otherwise well shaded by trees.  Lots of blackberry bushes in several sections but they are several weeks away from picking.

I think that's it for trails for this trip.  We're heading north to Courtney and will cross over to Powell River tomorrow.  Then down the Sunshine Coase, with a layover at the Saltery Bay Provincial Park.  It's a nice secluded location, little used and right on the ocean. 

[hardrockminer]

Back home in Chase...in the smoke from two wildfires near Adams Lake. 

Central BC and the Alberta/NWT border look to be totally in flames.

https://firesmoke.ca/forecasts/current/