Island Cycles -
News from the Vancouver Island Cycle Tourism
Alliance
- A Storied Island
- Tracking Visitors
- Map to Print
- Web Traffic Congestion
- Trail Updates
- Blue Streak
Island Cycling Stories Go to
Press:
"Parliament, Perennials and Pedal Power"
"Swoosh. That was the only sound giving them away.
In a flurry of spandex, a blur of colour and a rhythmic clicking of gears;
five finely toned speed-cyclists brushed past me towards the highway in
mechanical synchronicity. Me? I am not a cyclist. I am a bike rider. I would be
choosing the road less traveled.
I warily eyed the vehicle that was to be my main mode of transportation for
the next five days. Victoria was recently declared the "Cycle Capital of
Canada". My friend and I were here to discover why."
Journalist Paula Steele jumped on a rented bike to discover Victoria and
the Island.
Her story will appear in more than 20 newspapers
around BC, Alberta and Washington State. It's not the last time
she will visit and it's likely more will follow. For the complete story,
and a list of newspapers it will appear in, visit
www.cyclevancouverisland.ca
Tracking Visitors: What cycle
tourists have been looking for.
Recent inquiries on cycling the island include: How do I get to
French Beach? (it's out past Sooke), and what's the road like? (hilly but
quiet). Can you give me the lowdown on riding the Sunshine Coast,
Vancouver Island's east coast between Parksville and Comox, to Ucluelet, Tofino
and back (ambitious eh? - moderate traffic, a quieter coastal highway, and
a big climb over to the spectacular west coast - you'll need 5,000 calories a
day). How do I get my bike to Port Hardy? ($10 on the bus and it's a nice ride
back). More and more interested travellers are finding us every day.
Follow the buzz to: www.cyclevancouverisland.ca
Map Goes to
Press:
The Vancouver Island Map and Guide is finally going to
press. 30,000 copies will be distributed around the Pacific Northwest to
show visitors what's cyclable on the Island. Missed the map?
You can still advertise on our website. Info at http://www.cyclevancouverisland.ca/cviweb.htm
Web Traffic
Growing:
Travellers looking for a good ride are clicking
in. Traffic at www.cyclevancouverisland.ca peaked at over 500 hits a
day last month. Direct links to bike friendly businesses and
services, map sources and selections, tour profiles, photo galleries of
island cycling, travel tips and today's Island cycling weather are what
folks are after. Visit often for new information.
Trail Update: Galloping Goose
Projects Nearing Completion
Three projects on the Goose from Langford west to Sooke
will be finished later in July. Capital Regional District Parks has
completed work on a new bridge west of Jacklin Road. Sewer line
installation in Langford and a gas pipeline project in Sooke are
continuing. Don't despair, work will be suspended during the holiday
weekend and those looking to ride on Canada Day will have access to the entire
trail. Bed and Breakfast operators along the Goose
remind visitors that they are still open! For more
information: www.crd.bc.ca/parks
Blue Streak: Victoria's New
"Bicycle Box"
Cyclists leaving downtown Victoria for the Capital's Galloping Goose
trail just got a boost from the city. A "bicycle box" to get a head
start over the Johnson Street Blue Bridge. The box is a advanced stop
bar refuge for cyclists that allows them to get a head start on traffic heading
across the busy bridge. The new facility was laid down at the end of June
and is filling up with local and visiting cyclists. It's just one of
the many special features found in the capital and all over the Island where
cyclists are hitting the road. See photos in the Gallery at
www.cyclevancouverisland.ca
Get Maps: VICTA will carry an extensive
library of local maps and information guides covering Vancouver Island. Contact:
johnluton@shaw.ca
Got an event or tourism tip? Favourite Ride?
Share it with
VICTA. Contact johnluton@shaw.ca
This issue's events:
Zero Traffic Cycling: The B.C. Provincial Track
Championships are being held at the Juan de Fuca Velodrome July 4-6
followed by the first annual American Track Riders Association meet on July
12-13.These two events will bring high calibre racers to Victoria. It's a
great spectator event for the cycling enthusiast and right off the Galloping
Goose regional trail. For more info
: www.gvva.bc.ca/
Gettin' Down - Gettin' Dirty – Port Alberni
Downhill July 27th
The 2003 Island Cup Regional Series features cross country and downhill
races. These are fun races and the entry fees are $10.00 (downhill may have a
shuttle charge). Contact Hugh Fletcher of the Arrowsmith Mountain Bike Club for
more information. 250-248-5575 or visit:
www.nanaimomountainbikeclub.com/
Island Cycles is
published by John Luton, Coordinator of the Vancouver Island Cycle Tourism
Alliance and Chair of the Victoria Host Committee for Pro Bike - Pro Walk 2004.
22 Philippa Place; Victoria, BC; V8S 1S6; 250-592-4753/250-886-4166 (cell)
johnluton@shaw.ca For more information on the
Vancouver Island Cycle Tourism Alliance, visit: www.cyclevancouverisland.ca