Day tour on the Galloping Goose:
The Hobson brothers spent a day riding the Galloping Goose from downtown Victoria to Royal Roads in Colwood and back. One lives in Australia, the other in southeastern Ontario. Out in Victoria for a visit with a third brother, they are also planning to visit their father, who lives in Toronto. Now 100 years old, he apparently gave up biking at 92. The brothers, who I reckon were in their 70s, looked pretty spry. Their round trip in Victoria would get them an easy 25 kilometres of the Goose, a popular trail for locals and visitors alike:
See who else likes using 'The Goose': Boots on The Goose
I had run into the Hobsons during a “study session” with members of the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition (GVCC). The Goose hits Wale Road in Colwood where a rather unfortunate design has resulted in cyclists petitioning the local council for improvements. The GVCC also organizes more appealing rides around Greater Victoria, including the Ghost Ride in October and a Christmas Lights Ride.
Check: GVCC
Checking out the competition:
I took a week and attended the Pro Walk–Pro Bike Conference, held this year in Seattle. I traveled on the Victoria Clipper, a smooth 2 ½ hour sail from downtown Victoria to downtown Seattle. My trip, to learn more about cycling at the conference, was supported with a gracious discount and the free passage of my bike from the folks at the Clipper. They always have room for several bikes, so whether you are coming or going, it’s the quickest link between the Goose and trails of Seattle. I learned a lot at the Conference sessions, but I also took time to check out some of the local trails. For example, this one along Elliot Bay, just blocks away from the Clipper dock: Elliot Bay Photos
Find your way to the Clipper
My presentation was all about bike parking, and Toronto is picking up the pace.
Guidelines: bike parking PDF doc.
Media:
Recently, I talked to Sarah Petrescu at Victoria’s Time’s-Colonist, our local daily. Sarah is the fashion editor, and she wanted to know what smart cyclists would be wearing this fall and winter. I recommend bright fashions. You can see always popular fall colours on the Goose at:
Trail near Sooke
Meanwhile in the
Cowichan Valley...
This in from Don Barrie, who runs the Warm Rapids Inn with his wife, Rose Sirois: “The CVRD is in the midst of another study of the Kinsol Trestle to determine the extent to which it needs to be repaired/refurbished. The money the province was expecting to pay for its demolition/removal is available for the refurbishment, but many more dollars will need to be fundraised in order to undertake the project. The good news is that it has been deemed to be repairable and, of course, it will not need to support the weight of locomotives as it once did.
The CVRD board is applying for “heritage” status for the trestle, in hopes of drawing more attention to it. The CVRD Parks Manager has been in consultation with landowners to secure linkage of the Cowichan Valley Trail to the Galloping Goose Trail. He feels that this is going well and it should come to fruition.”
New source of funds for cycling:
One potential source for the Kinsol Trestle and other cycling projects around the province could be the new Bike BC program announced by Premier Gordon Campbell. The first major project to be funded will link Kelowna’s Rail Trail to the local university campus. Currently, the trail ends here: STOP and dismount!
Note to the Minister: There are lots of projects on the Island worth investing in. Here’s another gap that needs a fix: Dangerous Crossing!
Up the island:
Sam Whittingam lives on Quadra Island, a short ferry ride from Campbell River near the north end of Vancouver Island. Lately he’s been to Battle Mountain, Nevada, taking yet another run at his own world record in bicycling’s Human Powered Vehicle Championships. He topped out at over 132 km/h — 1/10th the speed of sound: World's fastest bicycle!
More competion:
Victoria’s Bastion Square Grand Prix wrapped up a weekend of racing and brought out some of the finest to lend a hand. Olympic triathlon silver medallist, Simon Whitfield, former mountain biking world champion, Alison Sydor, and Tour de France newcomer, Ryder Hjesdal, all live in Victoria and helped out with kids’ races.
Cops for cancer:
Police on Vancouver Island participate in the annual “cops for Cancer” ride that takes in the length and breadth of the Island. You can donate. Find out how at: Police on Vancouver Island participate in the annual “cops for Cancer” ride that takes in the length and breadth of the Island. You can donate.
E&N Trail steaming along:
Work continues on the planning of the E&N Rail Trail. The new multi-use facility has been in the planning and design stage for the last several months, with bridge designs near completion and engineers working with local municipalities to transform concepts into blueprints. See: Trails+Rails
Cycling + Walking Matters is sponsored by:
Lighthouse Breweries Found in pubs and restaurants across Vancouver Island and select locations on mainland BC. Also available in 6-pac cans in liquor stores, cold beer and wine stores.
Also sponsored by:
Cottage Pirouette Cyclist friendly accommodation near the heart of Victoria and Fairfield Bicycles Victoria's friendly bicycle shop.
Many thanks to our sponsor Schwalbe tires
Some fresh rubber will fit well on the bombproof wheels Fairfield Bicycle Shop put together for my Kona. Logged more than 5,000 km last year, mostly working, mostly on Schwalbes. Thanks for the support.
CBWS website by Reliable Controls VICTA by Viewmont. Projects supported by Saanich, Victoria, Vancity, and other funders. Also supported by individual donations from Friends of Cycling and Walking.
Cycling and Walking Matters is written by John Luton.