The Lochside and Galloping Goose trails on Vancouver Island, B.C. provide for a great day trip (or over-nighter), a way to beat the ferry line-ups (and ferry expenses) and a chance to travel past marinas, beaches, farmland, wetlands and visit beautiful downtown Victoria. All this on dedicated multi-use trails!
 |
| Curious onlookers |
 |
| Lochside Trail, Vancouver Island, BC |
We cycled up to purchase our tickets at the Tsawwassen Ferry terminal. We patiently waited outside the booth for the attendant to notice us. Finally, she opened the window and asked what we were doing in the cold and dark. She joked that she wasn't used to seeing bikes at this time of year and at this time of day. It was only 7 am and minus two degrees - we didn't understand her point.
 |
| View from the car deck of the ferry |
You can't travel on the ferry without stopping in for a coffee and a little nibble. They were selling gingerbread men at the cafeteria, so naturally we had to pick one up. It was then that the debate began...there were both gingerbread men and women for sale. Of course, we couldn't agree on which to choose. Finally, the gingerbread woman won out....more icing....(her skirt!) Proud of our ability to reach consensus we approached the cashier only to be pulled back into a debate over the politically correct way to name the tasty treat....the cashier decided on "ginger - person."
The crossing from the mainland to Vancouver Island takes just over 1.5 hours and is an incredibly scenic ride through Active Pass and the Gulf Islands. Today we were treated to a spectacular sunrise and incredible views of Mount Baker. After docking on the Island, cyclists are directed off the ferry to the trail which begins at the Swartz Bay terminal, near Lands End. I just love that name - "Lands End"...it makes me think of Pirates and secluded coves, and secretly as I pedaled along I was hopeful that Captain Jack and the Black Pearl would round the bend. A pirates life for me!
Being November, and quite early in the morning, we find the trail has a nice layer of frost on it. We take extra care as we certainly don't want to hit a patch of black ice and go head over heels! We laugh as we stop to break ice on the farmers fields....it is a beautiful, sunny day - one of those crisp fall days that make you feel happy to be outside!
 |
| Frozen fields along the trail |
As we cycle along we came across a pig farm and 2 of the largest pigs I have ever seen! We joke about the smell bringing back memories of Minor Hockey locker rooms...and move along quickly. We enter a shared trail through a beautiful forested area, This stretch of the trail is very popular with the "horse" crowd, although today we are alone. Maybe, too cold for the horses?
 |
| Hold the bacon! |
The trail wasn't very busy, but those who did brave the early morning were a fun bunch. We greeted the other riders and walkers with hearty good mornings and laughed as each and everyone we passed had to comment on the weather. We could only imagine what our family on the Prairies would think of the "cold" comments!
 |
| Views of the wetlands |
As you approach Victoria, the trail connects to the Galloping Goose, which you can follow to the Inner Harbour. Again, we are thrilled at the ability to travel to downtown on a dedicated bike path. FANTASTIC! Once in downtown, we put on our tourist hats and visit the inner harbour, Fisherman's Wharf and a wonderful Irish pub for lunch!
 |
| Character house boats at Fishermans Wharf |
 |
| I am relaxed! |
Time always seems to fly by....especially in the Irish Pub and although we had planned to begin our return trip by 3pm in order to beat the darkness, we find ourselves running late.
Despite our best efforts to get an early start back to the ferry, we found ourselves pedalling in darkness. The trails were just too dark to continue on and we were moving at a snails pace as we tried to navigate the potholes and bumps in the pitch black. We decided to make our way up to the main highway and return to the ferry terminal on well lite roads. Thank you
MEC for the great bike lights! Safety first!
Expensive Giggle of the Day:
We really haven't been on our bikes much the last couple of weeks due to various work and "life" commitments and we were both in a state of withdrawal so to speak. We spent a week of anticipation looking forward to our trip to Victoria. Saturday finally arrived, and we jumped out of bed, loaded up the truck and drove to Tsawwassen. We arrived at the ferry terminal and were so excited to start "spinning" that we unloaded the truck, jumped on our bikes and started pedaling to the ticket booth. Later that day, it struck us that in our excitement to get moving....we had not bothered to plug the parking meter. Later that night, we returned to our parking spot to be greeted with a $60.oo dollar ticket. Could have been worse....the truck might have been towed.
Map and Route Tips:
BC Ferries
www.bcferries.ca
Lochside Trail
http://www.crd.bc.ca/parks/lochside/
Galloping Goose
http://www.crd.bc.ca/parks/galloping-goose/
No comments:
Post a Comment