Beginning in Victoria we head north up the east coast on the Lochside trail through the farms and fields that supply the region with its fresh produce stopping for lunch at Seahorses seaside patio overlooking the Saanich inlet. After lunch we board B.C.Ferries for a 20-minute sailing across to Mill Bay. This crossing has been billed as the most beautiful short cut in the world. After disembarking we ride to Merridale Cidery for a tour and a taste (just a little) of the famous products produced from the on site orchards. Departing Merridale we ride down to the shores of Shawnigan lake and to our accommodation for the first night. Dinner is at a local restaurant. (Approx: 43 kms)

After a nice light breakfast we depart from Burnt Bridge (not really burnt) in the Koksilah provincial park on the Trans Canada Trail. This is one of the highlights as we are ride through pristine wilderness and over century old trestles where photograph and wildlife viewing opportunities abound. By midday we find ourselves crossing the Cowichan River and arriving at our destination for the day the Warm Rapids Inn. Here we lunch and decide what to do with the rest of our day. *Our hosts at the Warm Rapids Inn, Don and Rose, operate a white water kayak school on the Cowichan River which makes this a perfect opportunity for those interested to join in a beginners clinic for the afternoon. The other options are a guided excursion in search of Black Bear, Roosevelt Elk and other wildlife or if you like a leisurely afternoon by the pool or perhaps take your bike and explore the river and the town of Lake Cowichan on your own. Dinner tonight is a pool side barbeque with all the fixings, a soak in the hot tub and perhaps some tall tales around the camp fire. (Approx: 35 kms)

Breakfast at the Warm Rapids and then a fond farwell and on to our next destination; Port Renfrew on the Islands West Coast. This little coastal fishing community is the gateway to the famous Westcoast Trail and Pacific Rim National Park. We start off in the van past Mesachie Lake and down some rugged active logging roads (to active to ride) to our start point . From here we ride a deactivated logging road with many river crossings and some amazing areas of old growth forest including a stop at the not so famous Harris Creek Sitka Spruce. This tree must be seen to be believed, its as big as a house, maybe two. We continue on to Lizard Lake for our lunch and perhaps a swim along the shores of this pristine wilderness lake. On to Pt Renfrew past Fairy Lake to our accommodation for the night. Tonight we feast on fresh Pacific Salmon and Dungeness crab prepared on the private beach at our host property. (Approx: 35 kms)

Today we have to make a very difficult choice because unfortunately we can’t do it all. Your options today are a half day (4-5 hours) guided salmon fishing trip to some of the most productive salmon sport fishing grounds in the world. Or perhaps a leisurely ocean kayak exploration of Port San Juan and the nearby San Juan and Gordon river estuaries. Another option is to visit the amazing tidal pools and rugged rocky out croppings of famous Botanical beach, this is the West Coast at its most spectacular. After re-grouping and lunch at the Coastal Kitchen we head down the West Coast Road to Sooke combining driving the more difficult sections and riding the best, of-course. Today’s ride takes us along some beautiful coastline including French and China Beach and the surfing hotspot of Jordan River. Tonight we stay on the shores of Sooke basin. (Approx: 50 kms)

After breakfast today we head up to the Sooke River and the potholes. This is a beautiful watershed with huge trees and deep pools of crystal clear water. After exploring the area we depart on the Galloping goose trail towards Victoria. This old railway right of way leads us through old growth forest, along the shores of the Sooke basin and on through park and pasture land uninterrupted right to the doors of our office in downtown Victoria. At this point to top off our last day we include an exciting Whale watching excursion in search of the mighty Orca and other exciting wildlife directly from our docks on the harbour and thus, alas, ends our most excellent adventure. (Approx: 50 kms)