Sunday August 30th: “We should have been here last week” was the thought dancing through my mind as we cycled from Duncan, facing a poor five-day weather forecast of rain and mixed weather. Our first day’s destination was Port Renfrew, a distance of approximately 91 km. The ride to Lake Cowichan was uneventful. We rode out of Duncan onto busy Highway 18, but the cars, pickups, RVs and larger transports gave us shoulder room. Coffee break was a bonus about 25 Kms up the highway where Dave Charles, co-tour leader, van driver and our chef “extraordinaire”, found a quiet pull off. These BC CCCTS Tour Leaders are great and the amenities they provide make me think that this style of tour is something we will have to incorporate into our eastern trips. After a stop in Lake Cowichan for lunch supplies it was on the road again. 
Noting a sign that warned motorists to check their fuel gauges we cycled over the spine of mountains, which defines the east and west watersheds of Vancouver Island. We were definitely going back-country as the vehicle traffic became less and less. Rain greeted us about two thirds of the way to Port Renfrew, but once we dressed in our rain gear we were moderately comfortable. As we approached Port Renfrew the rain decreased and the low clouds in the hills across the harbour were spectacular. We arrived in Port Renfrew about 4:00pm with most of the gang staying at the Big Fish Lodge where Dave was already at work preparing our evening meal of spaghetti with meat sauce and lots of garlic bread and salad.
Monday August 31st : An early breakfast was organized so we could explore the Botanical Beach tidal pools at low tide. With rain falling we had a very wet ride to the trail-head. John Pringle, our co-leader Marine Biologist, led us on a tour of the intertidal sandstone ledges, explaining the rich marine life of mussels, sea urchins, seaweeds, starfish, etc. which live in these pools. As the rain intensified we retreated back to the Big Fish Lodge for lunch and an afternoon of snooker, Pictionary, dancing (music provided by Kent Budd) or story swapping. This night chef Larry Weldon, along with Carole Laflamme, Paddy Miller, and Brian Finch cooked up a gourmet chicken dinner.
Tuesday, September 1st: After a hearty breakfast the gang prepared bag lunches and said goodbye to Big Fish Lodge and Port Renfrew with its low hanging clouds. The hills were a little steep as we left town, but the roads were dry. Approximately 60 minutes into the ride the skies opened up and we had 15 minutes of intense rain, coinciding with Dave’s roadside, hot coffee “mug up”. We cycled on, passing Jordan River before stopping at Shirley for a warm-up and hot chocolate/coffee. The weather improved as we continued towards Sooke. We soon had vistas of the Olympic Mountains across the Juan de Fuca Strait and little boats fishing for salmon off Point no Point. Upon arrival in Sooke we found our accommodations at the Sooke Harbour Resort & Marina (One of us ended up at the adjacent posh “Sooke Harbour Restaurant”, looking like a drowned rat. He quickly escorted to the front door and re-directed to a nearby hostel!) . Part of the group headed for the hot tub prior to happy hour while others rested. Dinner was at the Stone Pipe Grill in Sooke.
Wednesday, September 2nd: After breakfast at the Little Vienna Bakery & Café, where we also picked up our pre-ordered bag lunches, we detoured around Sooke’s road construction projects to join the famous Galloping Goose Regional Trail. The day started off sunny and soon, after cycling along the eastern side of Sooke Basin, we were in Metchosin and time for coffee at the Broken Paddle Coffee House. Some cyclists found a garden hose and thus washed dirt from bikes as “the Goose” was muddy from recent rains. Through Langford, Colwood, and View Royal we stayed on the “the Goose” as its surface changed to asphalt. In Saanich we switched to roads and just before the “Red Barn” on West Saanich Road the skies again opened up with heavy rain and thunder. After waiting out the heaviest rain we continued up the Saanich Peninsula to Mount Newton Cross Road and Western 66 Motel (half of the Tour stayed here while the remainder stayed at John Pringle’s house) where again we hosed the mud off our bikes before putting them in storage for the night. The day’s distance was about 65 km. After warm showers John and Dave shuttled us back to West Saanich Road where we all enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Zanzibar Restaurant prepared by North African chef, Mohammed.
Thursday September 3rd: A before-breakfast ride to the Department of Fisheries & Oceans/Natural Resources Canada’s Institute of Ocean Sciences (IOS) was rewarded with their “all you can eat” bountiful breakfast buffet. This was followed by presentations on IOS research by scientists from the Division of Ocean Sciences, the Canadian Hydrographic Service, and the Pacific Geosciences Centre. After our visit to IOS it was a bit of a sprint to catch the Mill Bay Ferry. Upon disembarking from the ferry another rainstorm engulfed us on our ride to the commercial centre of Mill Bay. Our coffee shop refuge this time was Rusticana Coffee, and another mug up before the rains abetted and we made the final push into Duncan. On Telegraph Road the leading cyclists ambushed some of the slower cyclists with snowballs made from the hail left from the storm. However just as we entered the Motel parking lot the rain of course stopped. At this point some of the group loaded their vehicles and headed for home while the remainder had dinner and were entertained by Nanaimo’s Emma Plant and Novice Bear at the funky Duncan Show Room. Marg and Carole discovered the venue and pre-purchased our tickets (the CCCTS spirit of harmony and goodwill prevailed on this Tour). The gig was presided over by “Long John”, who has a huge collection of knick-knacks to amuse the curious crowds.
Friday September 4th: After breakfast the mainlanders headed off to catch ferries across Georgia Strait. The Ottawa contingent stayed on to enjoy Victoria, the Butchard Gardens, the drive around the coast-line to downtown Victoria and the Royal British Columbia Museum. At this point the weather improved and returned to the sunny skies that had been the norm for this summer. This was a great trip and we thank coleaders John Pringle and Dave Charles for organizing and running the trip so effectively. Thanks also to Carole, Dave, Larry and Jill who ensured that Happy Hours had plenty of snacks, wine and beer.