Day 3: Saltery Bay – Rathtrevor Beach

Day 3: Saltery Bay – Rathtrevor Beach

Distance: 74.83 miles
Time: 6:19
Average Speed: 11.9

Before I left for this trip, I knew day three would be the crux of the route. 74 miles with a 1.25 hour ferry crossing to make too. It’s also the transition from North to South as I start heading South from Comox on Vancouver Island. After such a tough day yesterday where I was soaked all day, I wasn’t feeling at all optimistic when I went to sleep last night. It was either wake early, make the 8:05 ferry or admit defeat early in the trip and opt for the one at 11:50. I woke early, packing away my sodden possessions, and hit the road at 6:30, giving me just an hour and a half to cycle 19 miles. As soon as I hit a major climb straight out of the campsite and found I had a significant headwind I thought I was probably doomed, especially as I had shown little cycling form so far. However, 1 hour 25 and 19 miles later I rolled elated and exhausted into Powell River ferry terminal.

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On the ferry, I spoke to a guy from Edmonton called Alex, he was on his way to a yoga retreat on Salt Spring Island and was amazed to hear I’d arrived here from Vancouver by bike in two days!

Setting off after the ferry, the pressure lifted and the first 15-20 miles flew by. The scenery was nice on the few occasions that the road came out of the trees and joined the coastline, though even the trees looked better in the bright sunshine.

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I stopped for lunch in the small hamlet of Bowser at around 52 miles, then pedalled on into the ever strengthening sunshine. I also found the headwind that I thought I’d lost was back. I’d forgotten the first rule of cycling. You always have a headwind, no matter which direction you’re travelling. The last 20 miles were really tough and I was relieved to reach Rathtrevor Beach campsite at 5 o’clock after a loooong day!

Day 2: Porpoise Bay – Saltery Bay

Day 2: Porpoise Bay – Saltery Bay

Distance: 43.80 miles.

Time: 4:29.

Average speed: 9.9.

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Although just over 40 miles, today was a hard hilly day along the Sunshine Coast. If there’s one thing I can say about the Sunshine Coast, it’s that it gives Glasgow a run for its money: that’s 24 hours of constant rain now! If I was to offer another observation, it’s that I didn’t see any of the Sunshine Coast as it was hidden by forests that line Highway 101 the whole way.
It was a short few miles into Sechelt for breakfast. Then some long nasty hills up and over to Half Moon Bay.

After lunch in Madeira Bay, I still had around 16 miles to Earl’s Cove Ferry Terminal where I was to take the ferry to Saltery Bay. The hills kept on coming but I kept plugging away, just making the 16:55 ferry. It was then only another mile to Saltery Bay Provincial Park: a forest campsite with minimal facilities.

Highlights were mostly in the form of breaks from cycling. The cafes I stopped at – The Bakery in Sechelt and The Copper Sky Cafe in Madeira Bay were both very nice, and the ferry which was not only dry but very scenic!

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Day 1: Vancouver to Porpoise Bay

Day 1: Vancouver – Porpoise Bay Provincial Park

Distance 38.56 miles.
Time: 03:54
Average speed: 9.9 mph.

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Having arrived at Vancouver airport last night, I took the Skytrain into Downtown, before making the foolish decision to try and carry my 27 kg bike box and additional pannier the kilometre to the hotel. By the time I’d got there, I was an exhausted, sweaty, mess and all of the handles on the giant cardboard box had disintegrated, requiring me to drag the box for block after block along the sidewalk.

This morning was a busy one as I had to pick up camping gas amongst other things, and pack up the bike. Considering the problems I had setting up the bike before I left, I was surprised to achieve the perfect set-up on the first attempt! I also managed a whistle-stop march around Vancouver, enjoying some great Waffles at Caffe Artigiano.

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The beginning of the route was lovely using bike paths through Vancouver – along the river and through Stanley Park, even passing some totem poles en route. I took the bridge to West Vancouver, then followed Marine Drive – over some steepening hills – out to Horseshoe bay. The ferry to Gibsons was some time off but I had great fish and chips at the oddly named ‘Troll’s fish and chips’.

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After a nice ferry journey, with views of the Rockies in the background, I realised that there were only 2 hours until sunset, as I struggled up the long steep stretch out of the ferry terminal. Taking a wrong turning down into Roberts Creek didn’t help, and either did arriving at my first intended campsite at 19:50 to find it shut!

8 miles and 40 minutes later I made it to Porpoise Bay and was relieved to find the biker field open, if empty.. Luckily the warden happened along to turn on the showers for me shortly after.

Plan for tomorrow: Start earlier!

US and Canada 2017: Pacific Coast Highway

US and Canada 2017: Pacific Coast Highway

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My Pacific Coast Odyssey

So, the day is finally here! Tomorrow I fly to Vancouver, hoping to cycle down the Pacific Coast to San Diego. The route is around 2000 miles long, and I have 39 days in which to complete it. That would require me to cycle an average of 51 miles a day with no days off the bike. I’m working on the principle that to try and fail is better than to sit at home!

My route travels north out of Vancouver, then crosses onto Vancouver Island to start the journey south. I will then cross into America through the San Juan Islands, continuing south through Washington state, Oregon and, finally, California to reach the Mexican border in San Diego.

Making a hard task harder, It was brought to my attention, yesterday, that a major part of Route 1 – through Big Sur in California – has been closed for the foreseeable future due to landslides and the subsequent demolition of the Pfeiffer- Big Sur bridge. Fortunately, the American Cycling Association (whose maps I’m using) have released route data for an inland detour which only adds around 30 miles to the route.

For the trip I will be using my trusty Thorn Brevet touring bike and Bikehut panniers with a Lomo rack-top dry bag. I have a new Vaude Terralight tent (1.85 kg) to try out and I will be using a Garmin Etrex 20x for navigation.

Wish me luck!