July 4, 2019 – day 2.

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The main theme of my Pacific N.W. bikepacking  tour is rail to trail.

Day 2 I was on the bike shortly after 7am.

Aside from the usual, lovely temperate rain forrest, this first section included some beautiful ponds.

The wildflowers are lovely too.

Motivation was reaching Tim Horton’s in Lake Cowichan.

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After breakfast I toured the town of Lake Cowichan, my first visit.

But the main reason people come to hike or ride the Cowichan Valley trail are trestles.

They are spectacular.

Best of all is Kinsol Trestle (named by nearby “King Solomon Mines”).

Completed in 1920, its one of the highest wooden railway trestles in the world at 44 m (144 ft) high and 188 m (617 ft) long.

It was repaired and reopened July 28, 2011.

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Surprisingly, I’d never visited Lake Cowichan.

Lake Cowichan is at the western end of the Trans Canada Trail, which, when completed, will be one of the longest trail networks in the world.

It looks like my kind of town. Funky.

Plenty of outdoor adventure.

Visit Lake Cowichan.

Having failed on my first attempt out of Port Alberni (two flat tires in two days), I opted instead for an easier start in Nanaimo. It was 3:30pm by the time I got going.

July 3, 2019. Day 1.

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I tried using The Great Trail app for navigation.

It’s not 100% ready.  😕  Nor is The Great Trail as there’s still far too much paved road included on the 24,000+ km.

The app’s recommended route started well …

… but soon got me lost.

I gave up on the recommend side roads and actually enjoyed riding the Trans-Canada Highway to Duncan. I was in a hurry to finally get on to the Cowichan Valley Trail.

The Cowichan Valley Trail is nice. Well graded gravel.

An important section of The Great Trail (formerly Trans Canada Trail).

Highlight of the day was two bears. They were snooping around my bike — no doubt attracted by the smell of my camping food.

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I found a quiet place to wild camp. Yes, I hung my food far from the tent. 😀

Click PLAY or watch my day on YouTube.

Day 1 | 2 | 3 | 4-5 | 6-7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12-13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | info | video