CCCTS 2022 – Sep 17 – 25, 2022
Please click on the link above to see a beautiful photo album of this tour.
Sunshine Coast 2, 2022.
by Rachel Champagne.
Sept 17 Day 1 Langdale to Gibson’s Landing 11.2 k
We set foot on the Sunshine Coast in Langdale with bicycles and luggage in tow. Would all our luggage fit in that little SUV? We needn’t have worried; our leaders’ experience served us well. The assortment of bags didn’t even block the view out the rear window. We cycled the short 17 kms to Gibson’s Landing and stowed our bikes for the night. Later that evening, we held our first group meeting to introduce ourselves and to allocate driving assignments for each day.
Sculptures on the way to Gibson’s Landing
Looking for Seafood.
Sept 18 Day 2 Gibson’s Landing to Stonewater Inn 62.8k
In the morning, the group left Gibson’s under a clear blue sky to ride towards Pender Harbour and The Stonewater Motel just a few kms more. No ferries today, all leg power for 67k and 955m of elevation. We stopped in Sechelt for a mid-morning treat while soaking up the sun near the shore then off again to Madeira Park on quiet roads, where the group took a break at The Painted Boat Marina. Perfect rest stops for this group to get to know each other. At the motel, we met late-comers Eric and Nancy and celebrated Deanna’s birthday with cake in the courtyard.
Relaxing at the Painted Boat Resort
The plan to order pizza for a group dinner were dashed when we discovered that the hours of operation for restaurants, cafes and shops on our route are significantly reduced by mid-September.
Deanne, Dianne and Gene at the Painted Boat Resort
Sept 19 Day 3 Saltery Bay to Powell River 31.6k
We had a fresh start to a beautiful day! It was an early ride to catch the ferry at Earl’s Cove over to Saltery Bay, during which we kept a close eye out for the whales as we crossed Jervis Inlet. We rode the 31 kms into Powell River on the highway, enjoying several sweeping downhills. Happy hour was the perfect cap to a perfect day.
Waiting for the Ferry at Earls Cove.
Our Marine Route
Sept 20 Day 4 Day off with options
A keen group of seven headed north of Powell River towards the Island Lake trail which they understood to be hard-packed gravel. The teeth-chattering potholes and washboard sections of the Forest Service Road leading to the trail were quickly forgotten once they started the spectacular 13 km loop around the alpine lake surrounded by old growth forest. One cyclist rode on to Lund enjoying several vistas of the ocean on route to the gateway to Desolation Sound.
An adventurous foursome took the ferry to Blubber Bay on Texada Island to enjoy the paved, undulating road, largely free of traffic, which winds through pristine forest and pond sections to Gilles Bay and the Shelter Point. On the way back, a retro-styled café called Mary Mary’s in Vananda served up ice-cream sundaes and fries. While there, an enthusiastic long-time resident extolled the island’s gold mining history, annual music festivals, artisans, markets and more. That evening, we recounted the day’s events during our postponed pizza supper in the motel’s lovely courtyard.
An interesting mural marked the turnoff to the Inland Lake trail
Taking in the beauty surrounding Inland Lake trail near Powell Trail
Beauty everywhere on Texada Island
Sept 21 Day 5: Powell River to Campbell River 52k
Under clear blue skies once again, we took the ferry from Powell River to Comox and then cycled to Miracle Beach to take in the breathtaking views and enjoy some snacks. We continued north towards Campbell River, our destination for the next two nights. Along the way we stopped at points of interest including the Stories Beach Greenshores Restoration Project to maintain ecologically sensitive areas along the shoreline. Another stellar day.
Crossing to Comox, Doris and Deanne scan the horizon for whales
Miracle Beach
Learning about conservation projects approaching Campbell River.
Sept 22 Day 6: Day off #2 with options
We enjoyed the sunrise and noshed on the hotel-supplied muffins and fruit. A few opted to explore Campbell River while the rest headed off along on the scenic Seawalk path to board the ferry for an island-hopping adventure.
A whale welcomed us into Quathaski Cove before we set off to tackle Quadra’s hills on route to Heriot Bay to catch a second ferry to Cortez Island. Before boarding, we enjoyed home-baked goods at Java Bay Cafe to refuel for the next leg of our journey.
On Cortez, we watched starfish and crabs at the mostly vacant, but beautiful, Gorge Bay Marina and debated who would be doing the fishing for dinner! Later, we savoured salmon and ling cod burgers and smokies at the Burger Barn picnic tables south of Manson’s Landing.
Fishing with our eyes at Gorge Harbour on Cortez Is.
Edmonton contingent poses at bike shop on Cortez where CCCTS member and Edmontonian Ed Weymouth trained as a mechanic.
Sept 23 Day 7: Campbell River to the Qualicum Bay Resort 91k
For the first time this trip, we woke to cloudy skies, but our colourfully-attired group set out to enjoy one the 91 km ride to the resort north of Qualicum Bay. Since our hotel in Campbell River didn’t provide breakfast early enough, we met at Serious Coffee for our caffeine fix, before we set out for the coffee stop in Courtney. On the way, Sandy’s tire gave up the ghost in a plump kind of fizzle, the one and only flat on the trip.
Next stop was the Fanny Bay Inn served up cod, halibut, mussels and locally farmed oysters harvested about 100 meters across the road met. After drying off at the resort, we realized that the few restaurants within walking distance were closed! With Deanne’s blessing, Gene took the wheel of the support vehicle and our navigator, Dianne, successfully located a restaurant for the hungry bunch of ladies in tow. We did get a little wet today, but it was a small price to pay for another great day.
Drying out the shoes for the next day.
Sept 24 Day 8: Qualicum Bay to Kiwi Cove Lodge 91.7k
As a leader or co-leader there are five boxes that we like to check off during a tour:
One, beautiful sunny skies.
Two, the route, variation of the terrain ups and downs and we like bike paths.
Three, never ending scenery.
Four, coffee stops.
Box 5: just as important as all, is shared leadership.
On day 8, Doris and I (Deanne) saw all these boxes being checked, some more than once. It was a beautiful sunny day for a hilly and scenic ride to the lodge; we stopped at The Old Country Market, the one with live goats on the roof and a great deli and bakery. On the lodge’s lovely grounds, we shared cold beverages, thanks to today’s support driver, Gene. Kiwi Cove Lodge, proved a fantastic venue for our farewell dinner – great conversation, good food and wine and lots of laughs.
Oh yes. There is a 6th check box and that is for everybody to find their way … oops!!
Goats on Roof at Coombs Market
Oh yes. There is a 6th check box and that is for everybody to find their way … oops!!
Morning at Qualicum Bay Resort
Savvy Eric takes a short-cut to Coombs
Doris leading the final ride
Headed back to Horseshoe Bay
Sept 25 Day 9: Kiwi Cove Lodge to Nanaimo 24.2k
After a superb breakfast prepared by the Lodge (that apple fritter cake!), we departed for the short ride to Nanaimo’s Departure Bay ferry to Horseshoe Bay (24.2 kms) to finish off what was a fabulous adventure. We all hope to ride together again.