V.I. Day 7

The riders made their way from Gold River to Port Hardy (near the top of the island) and managed to do so almost entirely on unsealed roads. It was great; more fun and very little traffic.

The traffic we did come across though was huge... Logging trucks, that don't give way! (Usually head on).

From here we start heading South and back to Vancouver and then finally home.

Gold River accommodation... Worse than it looks.

GR was yet another logging port.

Float planes are everywhere on the island.

Typical river scene.

Trains are seldom used now.

Typical lake scene.

Typical forestry work scene.

Port Alice.... Another logging port!

V.I. Day 6

The teams split today; boys to Gold River, ladies to Campbell River. We meet up at Port Hardy tomorrow.

A longer day on the bikes - 456km and 8 hours. This was longer than we planned but we came up against closed gates in the forest so we had to double back and do the sealed roads all the way around.

8am start, fuel and go.

You shall not pass.

You shall not pass here either.

You shall wait for your 30 minute time slot to pass here! (Highway repairs)

A lake just out of Gold River (tiny village).

Vancouver Island Day 5

Today was a rest day, staying in Tofino.

Tony booked us all onto a fishing charter and we successfully caught six big salmon (64kg total!)

That's our boat on the right of image.

Life jackets on.

Fish on the hook.

Fish on the boat 👍

Big fish! About 10kg+

Homeward bound. Fishing was 5 miles out.

We left filleting to the experts. Not sure if it can make it to NZ.

Vancouver Island Day 4

From Port Alberni we travelled to Tofino, described as a 'queenstown type location'.

We had a shorter ride (200km), half in the forests (where Phil saw a bear, and Mike nearly hit Bambi) and half on sealed roads into town.

Beautiful river, no salmon running.

Apparently.

Logs moved by river.

Recurrent beautiful scenery.

Map checks. We are definitely not lost. 😄

The only bear I've seen so far.

Vancouver Island Day 3

Another day of excellent riding, almost entirely unsealed roads today.

Great signage even in the bush.

Fun gravel roads.

Bamfield. Camping and boating spot.

Lunch in Bamfield 

Our home for the evening in Port Alberni.

Vancouver Island Day 2

Today was a better run of roads to ride, both sealed and unsealed throughout some lovely scenery (unsurprisingly).

Vancouver island Day 1

We set out in rain but the weather mostly cleared whilst we were on the ferry, for a good days riding to Victoria.

The ladies drove more directly and arrived just ahead of us, after some shopping stops along the way.

Departure from North Vancouver 

Waiting for the ferry

Riding the ferry, close to arrival in Nanaimo.

Finding forest roads

And small lakes.

Lunch over an inlet

Victoria harbour.... Is lovely

The travelers.