Vancouver Island, BC

[Netnorske]

Had a great trip to Vancouver Island, BC over the past three days. Tricia and I were joined by fellow Kawanow member Anthony Friendy (armypac) of Oregon City, OR. He rides a Black/Red 2008 Nomad. Anyways, everything went according to plan, and we enjoyed some great roads and dining along the way.

The Inland Island Hwy makes it a much quicker ride up to Campbell River than it used to be, but it can be full of traffic coming out of Nanaimo before it thins out! One of those cagers tried to run me off the road... ! The run from there to Gold River (Hwy 28) was awesome with great weather. Gold River is a very quiet and sleepy little town....emphasis on quiet and sleepy! The ride on Saturday from Gold River to Tofino was equally awesome with tons of twisties to keep you focused.

Once out there on the west coast of the Island...Hwy 4 comes to a tee intersection. You go left to Ucluelet (8km), right to Tofino (33 km). We rode into Ucluelet to check it out before turning back to Tofino. If I was to ride out that way again....I would stay in Ucluelet instead of Tofino. It is quieter, not so touristy....and probably has cheaper lodging and dining as well. Tofino is a big tourist place, so everything there is spendy! The towns are the same size, but Ucluelet is definitely more local and laid back!

The ferry ride (2 hours + wait time) and the border crossing coming home (1.5 hours)....made for a long day on Sunday, but all in all....it was definitely a great getaway and should be on everyone's list. I would love to one day ride all the way to Port Hardy, take in a couple days of salmon/halibut fishing there, then ride home again....that would be a great trip!



Anthony Friendy on the BC Ferry to Nanaimo....




Tricia and I along Buttle Lake near Strathcona Provincial Park enroute to Gold River....





The road (Hwy 4) to Tofino as it goes aound Kennedy Lake....




Tricia and I on the 1st St. Dock in Tofino, BC....

[flightdoc]

awesome pics. Makes me want to jump on my bike and head out on the road.
thanks

vin

[ringadingh]

Nice scenery, and most of my favorite rides have had a ferry trip in them as well. I love taking a bit of a break on the boat.

[pirate]

Sounds like you had a great time. Thanks for the pictures.

[lomax]

Hey Kris
Nice ride report and some good pics. Wish we could have been there with you. We're looking forward to Kalispell for sure. Looking more like we will be able to make it. :)

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Thanks for the great pictures Kris. Sounds like you guys had an enjoyable ride.

[schoeney]

Armypac? Close to me....15 miles. Sorry I did not meet him. Glad you had a good time.

[Bdog]

Kris..glad you guys had a good ride in My back yard. I spent 30yrs off/on in Nanaimo and rode all the roads you mentioned. Did you stop at the top of kennedy lake and go for a dip? Bdog

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by Bdog

Kris..glad you guys had a good ride in My back yard. I spent 30yrs off/on in Nanaimo and rode all the roads you mentioned. Did you stop at the top of kennedy lake and go for a dip? Bdog

Nope...no dip. I was too busy making tracks! The road out to Gold River and back is a lot more laid back....zero traffic. The road out to Tofino is subject to more traffic depending on when you ride it....but it is a fun ride too. Coming home we left Tofino about 7:30am and didn't see hardly any cars until we got back to Port Alberni.