Pre-Trip Preparations

Post date: 20-Jul-2016 21:16:14

The Vancouver Island Gran Loop summer trip is now about 95% complete and planned out. Along with myself, three other riders will be riding the VIGL on August 20th for 6 days. I'll be riding my Ural Patrol, and they'll be on dualsports: a Suzuki V-Strom 650, a Triumph Tiger 800, and a BMW 800GSA. The pace will vary between slow, medium and fast. We’ll discuss the route each morning and plan out meeting points along the way for everyone to ride at their own pace.

I’ve given the Ural a few pretty thorough shakedown rides so far this summer to get a feel for how it would perform on the trip. The bike has been on multiple camping trips, I rode support for the Victoria Ironman Race, toured Pender Island, and even went to the top of Mount Prevost a couple times as well. Brand new tires were installed by the Adrenaline Motorcycle Co-op (mounting and balancing free with an annual membership) last weekend and now the bike and I are ready and waiting for August to arrive.

If you’re interested in joining us, check out the Facebook event page and contact me for more information.

Here is the current itinerary:

Day 1 - Victoria to Lake Cowichan - 200km - 3.75hrs riding time

Accommodations: Cabin at Youbou on Aug 20

Day 2 - Lake Cowichan to Mount Washington - 350km - 5hrs riding time

Accommodations: Mount Washington Alpine Resort on Aug 21

Day 3 - Mount Washington to Zeballos - 300km - 5.5hrs riding time

Accommodations: Cevallos Campground in Zeballos on Aug 22

Day 4 - Zeballos to Port Hardy - 200km - 5hrs riding time (No San Josef Bay Today)

Accommodations: North Coast Trail Backpacker's Hostel in Port Hardy on Aug 23

Day 5 - Port Hardy to San Josef Bay to Port McNeill- 200km - 4.5hrs riding time

Accommodations: Camping at Alder Bay Resort on Aug 24

Day 6 - Port McNeill to Miracle Beach Provincial Park - 250km - 4.5hrs riding time

Accommodations: Camping at Miracle Beach Provincial Park on Aug 25

And finally, I want to say thank you to a host of people who have provided valuable feedback and support toward creating and maintaining the Vancouver Island Grand Loop. Without passionate adventurists like you, none of this would have been possible.

• David M – A fantastic donation to assist with maintaining the site and the route.
• Bart V – Local knowledge and status of logging roads and gated roads around the mid-Island.
• Sandy M – Recommendations for Stage 6 modifications due to gated logging roads.
• Todd D – Current status of multiple stages from Gold River to San Josef.
• And all the great feedback I’ve received from people on the Soviet Steeds forum, the ADV forum, and the Lower Island Riding Club.

Thank you very much everyone. It is all highly appreciated!