Stage 18 - Cowichan Bay to Victoria
Distance: 90 km
Riding Time: 2.5 hrs
Overview
Stage 18 covers some of the best roads that Victoria has to offer. The ride through Mill Bay is footsteps from the ocean. Riding up Finlayson Arm Rd is a fun switchback ride into the rural mountainside. Munn Rd to Prospect Lake Rd is a classic afternoon ride with twisties and bumps along the way. And then all of Beach Drive and Dallas Road just takes your mind away from anything but the beautiful scenery. Special Note None. Meetup Location
In Cowichan Bay, a popular meetup spot is boat launch beside the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre. Food and Coffee
Food and coffee are plentiful in Cowichan Bay and all over Victoria. Wheelies is a popular motorcycle garage and sandwhich shop, but a quick search on Yelp will turn up plenty more places to try.
This stage ranges from ocean-side roads, to high elevation rural roads. There's almost too much to describe what you'll see in a short paragraph - the ocean, forests, mountains, marinas, beaches, lighthouses, islands. If this is your first time in Victoria, you will be planning to move here by the end of this stage.
Traffic can be hit and miss depending on the time of day. The Malahat often gets backed up on Sunday afternoon when everyone is returning to Victoria from the weekend. Traffic within Victoria can also get backed up during rush hour, so avoid downtown between 3pm and 5pm.
There's no challenge to be found here. Lean in and enjoy the ride.
Most of the roads are well paved, with the exception of Munn Rd and Prospect Lake Rd that have some minor rough sections that will shake you up if you're going too fast. |
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