For a possible trip this summer, I'm looking for suggestions and advice about supported touring in British Columbia, primarily the southern area, perhaps on Vancouver Island. I've found several companies on the 'net (CanUSA Cycle Tours, Cycle Treks, Great Explorations, Tour BC), but we would like to know people's actual experiences. Our preference would be for a modest-cost credit card tour, avoiding both expensive luxury and self-contained camping; we can probably handle 50 +/- miles a day, with some climbing ok (but we have no interest in being mountain goats). Thanks for any guidance.

I'll be trolling this thread, with particular interest in Vancouver Island... hiding under the bridge, waiting for tour people to cross....

Great Explorations gives good tour. I've done them twice - quality food, organization, service and super value. Highly recommended. Suggest you do their Kettle Valley Trip....

Not supported but a nice route. The Gulf Islands to Vancouver Island to Comox. Take the ferry to Powell River and down the Sunshine Coast to Vancouver. A beautiful circle route.

Thanks for the suggestions, folks. Assuming my permanent residency application is approved, I hope to retire in several years, either to Vancouver or near Courtenay or Comox, on Vancouver Island, so this trip would give me a chance to scope the local cycling scene.

I am curious about his route. How long is it? Are there any details available online, maybe a journal or something?

I did this route in July. I had an absolutely wonderful ride. 6 days, 450km. Did it in reverse though. I live in Vancouver. Rode up the Sunshine Coast as far as the road goes. To a funky little spot called Lund. Back to Powell River and across to Comox. Then down to Salt Spring Island for a couple days. From there, home. Decent roads, lots to see.

One of these days I will try to post some pics.

You would enjoy this trip.

You can check out this site https://adamk.ca/touring.html. He has some wonderful journals and a informative web site. You also can search https://crazyguyonabike.com for sunshine Coast or Vancouver Island. Saltspring Island and the rest of the Gulf Islands are just beautiful with some thigh busting hills. The one out of Fulford harbour and Ganges come to mind. A good book is "Cycling British Columbia" by Paul Wood. The ISBN is 0-9684826-2-7. It lists milage, vertical profiles and Provincial Campgrounds.

Thank you. I'm going up there this summer.

sth: let's have those pics!

I'll add my recommendation to the circle route on Vancouver Island to the list. I've done it twice, once by myself and once on a tandem with my then eleven year old son. Avoid the Malahat if you don't like climbing and traffic. There is a ferry around the Malahat from Brentwood Bay to Mill Bay or you can can go via Saltspring Island to Crofton as already mentioned.

There are moderately priced motels in Duncan, Ladysmith, Chemainus and Nanaimo. If you have time an out-and-back from Courtenay to Campbell River is worth adding to the circle route or you could even go as far as Sayward. There are a couple of cheapish motels in Sayward.

Victoria is worth at least a day. Make sure you ride at least some of the Galloping Goose/Lochside trail and the waterfront along Dallas Road. As already mentioned the Gulf Island are nice but expect hills.

If you're looking for flatter terrain the Fraser Valley east of Vancouver is nice. Lots of quiet back roads in the Abbotsford to Chilliwack area including a nice multi use trail along the Vedder River.

Further east the Kettle Valley Railway trail is wonderful but you might have to be a bit careful about organizing your days if you don't want to camp. A good two day out and back trip, partly on trail and partly on road, goes from Penticton to Osoyoos. The 20 km or so beside the lake from Penticton to Okanagon Falls is particularly nice.

I agree with RickL above. Bypass the Malahat at all costs. And once past Nanaimo stay on the ocean side route and not the inland route. I stayed in the Fisher Boy campground in Sayward in 2005 and I highly recommend it. Clean, reasonable priced, food, laundramat and if it's a total downpour they have cabins as well.