Vancouver Island roads

[HIGHLANDER]

So ........count down is on and no-one has mentioned the top rated roads, and from reading the other threads we all know who the sheeep humpers are and who likes to be on top, , but what's the skinny on best selected roads without buying the DH book ? So far from reading other boards I've picked up on :

Strathcona Park

Stay off 19 and keep on 19A

Hit Mt. washington

Cambell River / Gold river / Tahsis

Tofino / Old island highway

Port Renfrew / Cowichan loop around the south west of the island

Visit the islands of Quadra or Cortes by ferry

Bushhart gardens is a must see.

Port Hardy run is boring

So, my chatty Canadian brethern, do you agree or disagree?

Any roads to add ?

What is the most technical ride on the Island ?

Is there anything that compares to Hwy 36 in NorCal with the famous " 120 miles of twistes "sign ?

Any roads to avoid ?

Some of us may be coming in early, or staying late, and pre planning on the GPS would be a nice addition eh ? B)

 

[madmike2]

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Yeah, what he said, eh!

 

[Ian Stephens]

Well the Malahat Pass is in the DH Book, but in my experience the only time to ride that road is really really early in the morning when there's no traffic. Both times I've been on that road on a bike I was scared for my life.

My wife and I did the Port Refrew - Lake Cowichan road last year and it was great. We were riding our Suzuki Burgman 650s then so it should be way better on an FJR! That road is a must-do for me - I'll be going down there at some point during the rally or on the way home.

ian

 

[user 6393]

Port Hardy is scenic with lots of sweepers, and light attention from LEO's. The gem at the top of the island is the road from Port McNeill to Port Alice. It's in the top 15 rides in the DH book.

If you guys want the info beforehand I can send it out, but there are going to be sheets of route suggestions etc in the registration paks.

Highlights from a resident?

Victoria thru Pt. Renfrew to Lake Cowichan. Buncha fresh pavement right beofre Renfrew which was much needed. I was thru there a couple weeks ago in the car visiting businesses for support for the ride and it was so fresh the permanent center line had yet to be place. Lots of tight 20kmph hairpins creep up and over the top of the mountains. 1 lane Bridges are thru traffic from Vic, if you are headed from Cowichan, you have to yield for oncoming.

Parksville to Tofino/Uclulet. Lots of tight twisties. Drawback? Mostly two lane, but as the holiday season should be done by that weekend there should still be lots of enjoyment on that one. Bonus is, Long Beach Federal Park is an amazing visit/vista.

Mt. Washington? Short, but has a cool hairpin near the top. I think it's DH8 or 12.

Gold River? A MUST, but that's just me....It's DH4. Ridge Pub is closed for lunch, but the Golf Course has some good eats. Watch out for bears and bambi's. There are 2 bucks that graze on a knoll just past the bridge that I see pretty much every time I go. Tahsis you'll need a dual sport for. Everything past Gold River is dirt.

Quadra/Cortes? I'm underwhelmed, but then I live next door and the been there done that factor is high in that decsion. Denman and Hornby islands would be a more interesting choice in what's left of my mind

Butchart Gardens? If you can swing it, do it....It is cut out of an old stone quarry. The 12% grade down into the parking lot can be fun too.

I havent got the goods to compare that Cali ride for you, but most technical ride would be Gold River or out to Tofino.

Again, for those that want the "ride" info beforehand....PM me and I'll see what I can put together.

I have maps for everyone and lists of rides/point of interest (aside from the nudie beach on Hornby Isl )

 

[El Cajone]

So ........count down is on and no-one has mentioned the top rated roads, and from reading the other threads we all know who the sheeep humpers are and who likes to be on top, , but what's the skinny on best selected roads without buying the DH book ? So far from reading other boards I've picked up on :Strathcona Park

Stay of 19 and keep on 19A

Hit Mt. washington

Cambell River / Gold river / Tahsis

Tofino / Old island highway

Port Renfrew / Cowichan loop around the south west of the island

Visit the islands of Quadra or Cortes by ferry

Bushhart gardens is a must see.

Port Hardy run is boring

So, my chatty Canadian brethern, do you agree or disagree?

Any roads to add ?

What is the most technical ride on the Island ?

Is there anything that compares to Hwy 36 in NorCal with the famous " 120 miles of twistes "sign ?

Any roads to avoid ?

Some of us may be coming in early, or staying late, and pre planning on the GPS would be a nice addition eh ? B)

Good research. You've identifed all the best routes. Not sure about Gold River to Tahsis; last time I was in there a few years ago, it wasn't paved. That might have changed.

Port Hardy run is boring? It's a long ride through forested valley bottoms (for forest read cosmetic fringe) with no ocean views. No loops, same road up and back. It kinda depends what you're looking for but that is the run that I won't be doing at WCR.

The most technical/fun ride is over to Tofino and there's lots to see and do once you get there.

There will be maps, lots of local knowledge and maybe a DH book at the WCR. There won't be any shortage of good rides in the time we have available.

 

[madmike2]

Gee, thanks Barb...you're the best! :clapping:

 

[user 6393]

Approaches to the Island you may want to consider?

If you are coming from south of BC and have the time, come up thru the Fraser River Canyon, turn left at Lilloet and hit the ferry in North Vancouver thru Pemberton and Whistler. Best and most fun road on the wets coast of BC, well worth the detour. Bonus is, you detour the retarded city traffic in Vancouver ENTIRELY.

With those folks who have tons of time? From North Van, go to Langdale then up to Powell River and across to Comox. Scenic and twisty ride, but 3 ferries might be onerous. Personal choice call.

If any of the PWN want to talk about routes thru Washington State, please ante up. I like the Olympic Penninsula, but there is lots to see in the Cascades and around Mt. St. Helens .

 

[exskibum]

Looks like the Tofino ride is definitely on my list. Not sure about what else on a second riding day that MIGHT instead be dedicated to laying around and exploring the Parksville locale in preparation for another 8 days on the road.

 

[yamafitter]

Will any of these routes be available as a gdb file (Garmin GPS). My eyesight doesn't work well with maps and then watching for Bambis at the same time.

 

[ahchiu]

Will any of these routes be available as a gdb file (Garmin GPS). My eyesight doesn't work well with maps and then watching for Bambis at the same time.

+1, So I don't have to do it manually on mapsource.

 

[HIGHLANDER]

Thanks for the feedback so far, goof info !

Another question,,, when you reach Lake Cowichan from Port Renfrew, is it possible to turn north west and run along the lake shore and loop it back to Nanaimo, or you restricted to turning east on the 18 back to the 1? ( I'm wondering if the lakeshore loop is paved ? )

 

[El Cajone]

Thanks for the feedback so far, goof info ! Another question,,, when you reach Lake Cowichan from Port Renfrew, is it possible to turn north west and run along the lake shore and loop it back to Nanaimo, or you restricted to turning east on the 18 back to the 1? ( I'm wondering if the lakeshore loop is paved ? )

The loop is not paved around the west end of the lake, just plain old dirt and gravel.

 

[user 6393]

Will any of these routes be available as a gdb file (Garmin GPS). My eyesight doesn't work well with maps and then watching for Bambis at the same time.

+1, So I don't have to do it manually on mapsource.

I am a TomTom'er so no can help with Garmin, but to be honest there aren't a bucket of road combo's to get anywhere here. We be "in the sticks". Just saddle up, plug in the town destination and you'll be just foine...

Unless there is a willing Garmin Guru out there who is willing and able? *bats eyelashes*

 

[dcarver]

Highlander - you are killing me. I so want to (and can't) go..

You had better take pix... :****:

 

[Ian Stephens]

Will any of these routes be available as a gdb file (Garmin GPS). My eyesight doesn't work well with maps and then watching for Bambis at the same time.

+1, So I don't have to do it manually on mapsource.

I am a TomTom'er so no can help with Garmin, but to be honest there aren't a bucket of road combo's to get anywhere here. We be "in the sticks". Just saddle up, plug in the town destination and you'll be just foine...

Unless there is a willing Garmin Guru out there who is willing and able? *bats eyelashes*

I'm a Garmin guy, got a Zumo 550, and I'll have many of the roads mentioned programmed as routes. I'll also have my laptop with RoadTrip (the Mac version of MapSource) so I could spit out GPX files with the routes and a few waypoints.

I'm not a GPS or Garmin guru though, I can make work what works for me - my own workflow is pretty simple, so I can problem help GPS neophytes, but I'm not likely to impress anyone already familiar with maps and GPS.

Ian

 

[HIGHLANDER]

Thanks for the feedback so far, goof info ! Another question,,, when you reach Lake Cowichan from Port Renfrew, is it possible to turn north west and run along the lake shore and loop it back to Nanaimo, or you restricted to turning east on the 18 back to the 1? ( I'm wondering if the lakeshore loop is paved ? )

The loop is not paved around the west end of the lake, just plain old dirt and gravel.

OK thanks, back to plan A !

 

[HIGHLANDER]

Highlander - you are killing me. I so want to (and can't) go.. You had better take pix... :****:

I'll see if I can find a good looking sheep for ya !

This sorta looks like a sheep on yer head eh ! :cheffsmiley:

 

[user 6393]

Highlander - you are killing me. I so want to (and can't) go.. You had better take pix... :****:

I'll see if I can find a good looking sheep for ya !

This sorta looks like a sheep on yer head eh ! :cheffsmiley:

Shouldn't be a stretch. This market is just a 5 minute ride from the resort.

Don't show this to Bust tho, it'll put him in a spin. He's already depressed he can't be here to escort MEM and Ty to the Spa...haha

 

[user 6393]

I know they are goats, but ...it's Carver, yanno ;P