My tours have usually been with one other person ... not solo, but not a group either. That works all right because decisions can usually be made much more easily, with everyone concerned being happy, with only two people to please, rather than a whole crowd. You don't have to stick to a particular itinerary like you most likely would with a group ... but having another person along also gives you someone to talk to, or watch the bicycles, or whatever.

However, I do most of my centuries and randonneuring (very long rides, in remote areas) solo. I would prefer to do them with someone, but have learned to manage on my own.

One tip would be to really pay attention to what's going on around you, and go with your gut instinct about situations. If you feel at all uncomfortable with an area or surroundings or whatever ... bad vibes ... move on. I've been in a few situations like that ... and I don't know if anything would have happened, but kept rolling rather than find out.

I also try not to let on that I'm out there completely alone. If people ask what I'm doing out there, or where I'm going, or whatever, I'll tell them stuff like ... I'm cycling an event with a group of cyclists (but won't mention that the group of cyclists is long gone ahead of me!) ... or ... I'm cycling out to a particular town, up the road a little ways, where I'm going to meet friends ... or if they express a lot of concern about me being out there alone ... I might tell them that a sweep vehicle or sag wagon comes along periodically to check up on me .... or something.

Some cycletourists feel quite comfortable bush camping etc., and I didn't mind it when I was with another cyclist, but when I'm on my own, I prefer to stay in more populated areas ... family campgrounds, hostels, etc. After a long day on the road alone, it can be nice to spend the night near other human beings in a populated area with services. So if it were me planning the trip, I'd aim to spend nights in those sorts of places.

All the best!! Vancouver island is definitely on my list of places to go.