Salt Spring Island
British Columbia,
Canada
Salt Spring Island is the largest of the Southern Gulf Islands, the most populated and probably the most visited. Its bucolic scenery is mixed with some stunning water views from many areas. The leisurly lifestyle of the islanders includes a diverse mix of residents with some "Hippy" culture rubbing shoulders with famous actors, musicians, artists etc.
As with all the islands, riding can be hilly with some fairly steep but relatively short, challenging climbs on narrow roads.
Accomodations can also be hard to find and are at a premium during many months of the year, hence reservations are a must for the numerous lodging establishments dotted over the island.
What a scenic place, with panoramic views, to make for a quick escape from my home town of Sidney, BC. Camping on the waterfront at Ruckle Provincial Park, on Salt Spring Island, is one of my favourite weekend get-aways. Just a quick ride for me to catch the Swartz Bay/Fulford Harbour ferry and then a short ride to the park on Salt Spring Island.
Or for a longer ride, one can cycle to Brentwood Bay, take the Mill Bay ferry and ride up Vancouver Island to Crofton, then take the Crofton/Vesuvius ferry over to Salt Spring.
Either way, it's a relaxing place at the end of the ride to watch the boats, and life, go by!
With over 70 walk/bike in sites there is usually always room at the park. Nevertheless, the park fills to capacity on many of the holiday weekends, so arriving early is a good plan. If the sites are full, campers are usually quite receptive to sharing a site.
and I was fortunate to encounter an unexpected neighbour
Short Route from Sidney, BC
15km Ride
From downtown Sidney, take Third Street north, turn left onto Malaview Avenue then right onto Resthaven Drive. At the end of Resthaven turn right onto McDonald Park Road where there is a bike lane. [This bike lane is a continuation of the paved bike path alongside the northbound Highway 17 lanes that can be travelled without venturing into the town of Sidney]. Take the bike lane until almost at Highway 17 then the bike path turns sharp right just before the pedestrian overpass and parallels the highway until Cedar Grove Marina where one can access the shoulder of the highway for the rest of the way to the Swartz Bay, BC Ferries terminal. At the off-ramp, the bike route to the ferry toll booths is sign-posted to the right, or one can continue straight on and enter with the motor vehicles.
The ferry ride to Fulford Harbour takes about a half-hour. Usually bikes and foot passengers are allowed to disembark first, but once on land, it's best to wait for the disembarking vehicle traffic to subside
Pedal up the hill from the ferry dock, turn right at Beaver Point Road and continue up the hill. Beaver Point Road is somewhat undulating and winding , but nonetheless, a pleasant ride. The road continues all the way to Ruckle Provincial Park, which is actually located at Beaver Point.
Longer Route from Sidney, BC
85km Ride
This route is a little more challenging and involves two ferry trips.
From Sidney take 5th Street south which changes to Lochside Drive after crossing Ocean Avenue. The bike lane on Lochside Drive is a portion of the Lochside Trail, a rails to trails endeavor that joins up to the Galloping Goose Trail system in Victoria. Continue on Lochside Drive then turn right onto Mt. Newton X Road, straight through the lights at the highway and carry on until the second four way stop intersection. Turn left onto Wallace Drive and continue on until Stelly's X Road. Make a right, continue on and then left onto West Saanich Road for a very short time before turning right onto Verdier Avenue which will take you all the way to the Brentwood Bay/Mill Bay ferry dock.
The ferry trip is only a half-hour duration and will take you to the outskirts of Mill Bay. Turn right at the top of the hill from the ferry dock onto Mill Bay Road and after a short ride you will reach Mill Bay proper. Turn left onto Deloume Road after the shopping centre and then right onto Highway 1. The shoulder of the highway is good and is only ridden until you reach the traffic lights at the top of the hill out of Mill Bay at Kilmalu Road, where you will turn right.
Turn left onto Telegraph Road and say hello to a nice hill (read... uphill)! Stay on Telegraph Road until you reach Cowichan Bay Road where a right turn will eventually take you to a 13% (down) hill into the village of Cowichan Bay (snack stop). Carry on through the village and further on you will leave Cowichan Bay Road at Tzouhalem Road, this road is straight ahead at the intersection and Cowichan Bay Road turns left. Tzouhalem Road runs through the First Nations Cowichan Reserve and expect to see a few loose dogs here, be prepared!
Turn right onto Jaynes Road, continue on, and then right again onto Lakes Road. When Lakes Road ends turn right onto Herd Road, carry on and turn left onto Osbourne Bay Road which turns into Crofton Road and takes you to the town of Crofton. Turn right onto Chapin Street and ride to the bottom of the hill where the ferry dock is located at the waterfront.
The Crofton/Vesuvius ferry trip takes only 20 minutes. Turn right onto Vesuvius Bay Road after leaving the ferry and, as usual, there is the obligatory hill to climb out of the ferry terminal. Keep on until you reach Lower Ganges Road, turn right onto this road and ride into the village of Ganges where you can treat yourself to a nice lunch at one of the many eating establishments or food stores.
Rest up a while after lunch and let your food digest, because when you head south on the Fulford Ganges Road there's a long steep hill (read... uphill) out of the village. The Fulford Ganges Road continues on and meets up with Beaver Point Road just north of Fulford Harbour where you can continue on, as per the "Short Route."
An alternative route is also possible... Leave Ganges via the same road, but turn left onto Beddis Road before the top of the hill. Continue on Beddis for a while then turn right onto Cusheon Lake Road and then left onto Stewart Road. Stewart Road is quite hilly and a short section is unpaved gravel. Nevertheless, this is a somewhat shorter route from Ganges, as Stewart Road meets up with Beaver Point Road just before Weston Lake. Turn left onto Beaver Point Road, then follow the remainder of the "Short Route."
