skilsaw

10 days ago I posted that I was off on a 2 week, 1050 km tour up and down Vancouver Island. Well, I'm back early after 450 kms and perhaps a lack of true grit.
All the same, it was a success.

This trip was a lot of firsts for me.
Longest trip attempted so far - 1050kms
Longest distance achieved so far - 450 kms.
Largest number of days touring so far - 8.
Highest single hill climbed - 352 m (1056 ft)

Not spectacular statistics by any stretch of the imagination, but I'm home, I'm happy, no mishaps, and I'm willing to try it again.

The scenery on Vancouver Island is spectacular. The old Island Highway is quieter than the new highway, and there are adequate campsites, at least as far as Campbell River. The hills are quite manageable, even though I let the hills past Campbell River psyche me out.

I have new respect for those who have the mental and physical strength to tour, day after day, for 75 to 100 miles.

I guess I'm "building base" and can expect to improve if I keep at it. So my next adventure is going to be in August, riding 200 kms of the Kettle Valley Railway, completing the loop with 100 kms of highway. I'm doing this with a friend so it we should be able to encourage each other, when the going gets tough. (like climbing up 2000 ft on Anarchist Mt., west of Osoyoos.)

Neil_B

I want to be you when I grow up.

Rowan

Thanks for reporting back, skilsaw. As you might know, Machka and I are planning several days on Vancouver Island in about a month's time. She has all the details planned out, and we are really looking forward to it. She rode a randonnee there in the mid-2000s and she also said the scenery was spectacular.

Homeyba

So, what happened that you made 450kms instead of 1050kms? Sounds like you had a great time no matter what the mileage. I would guess that's what real touring is.

Seve

That's a great effort and it must have been great on a bike, as it gives you such a different perspective on the scenery.

No bears or large kittys ?

cohophysh

LOVE Vancouver Island!