ADJ_Quebec cyclists at Mt Norman-Ainsle trailhead sign.JPG

The BEST

BIKING

SOUTHERN GULF ISLANDS

A group of cyclists at the Mount Norman/Beaumont Marine Park trailhead on South Pender Island.

THE BEST
BIKING

The last time SGI OUTSIDE’s Richard Philpot (RP) rode this route is next to its name.

Local Knowledge

Local Knowledge. Biking in the Southern Gulf Islands

The islands have long been a popular destination for cyclists. Makes sense—beautiful scenery, roadside farm stands, oceanside camping, local wineries and cideries, quaint bakeries and eateries, and community-run farmers markets and home-based galleries. And the weather is frequently ideal for riding—warm and dry.

While the risks associated with sharing the island’s roadways with motor vehicles have always existed, the dangers have been exacerbated by the SGI’s population growth and tourism popularity, as well as the advent of e-bikes, resulting in an explosion of visiting cyclists.

What’s the biggest surprise for visiting cyclists (without electric assist)? The hills. The hills. The hills. To help pedal-power-only riders better prepare for their two-wheeled SGI visit, SGI OUTSIDE has included an elevation profile below some of our Best Biking choices, offering a “side view” of what to expect on a ride.

Pedal-power-only route ratings. These ratings are for 100% human-powered riders (like me). Each of my favourite biking routes is rated for difficulty: EASY (easy), MODERATE (relatively taxing), and STRENUOUS (you should be in pretty decent physical condition). Ratings are subjective (and aren’t terribly applicable for e-bike riders). Still, they give you an idea of what to expect. Times shown in the route descriptions do not include time for rest, extra exploring, or picnics.

Distances, elevations, and starting-point coordinates may vary depending on the GPS device and digital mapping software used. SGI OUTSIDE measurements are captured by my Garmin Forerunner 55 watch and uploaded to Garmin Connect.

Maps and elevation profiles. The biking route maps and elevation profiles were created using Ride with GPS (free version). In SGI OUTSIDE’s opinion, the elevation profiles displayed on Ride with GPS maps and Island Pathways’ cycling map, Salt Spring Island on Wheels, give a distorted perspective of the severity of uphill climbs. The islands ARE hilly, but these graphic profiles most often exaggerate the incline.

Risks & Safety

Cars and trucks are the biggest danger to cyclists, not the oftentimes leg-sapping hills or the rough condition of the right side of some of our narrow, winding roads. Motor vehicles frequently pass dangerously close to riders, or they “cut off the angle” rather than reduce speed and wait for a clear opposing lane in which to pass. Cyclists need to be watchful of all corners, regardless of the direction of the curve or the crest of a hill. Pull off the road, if possible, onto the soft dirt or grass “shoulder,” or an entrance to a driveway, and allow the motor vehicle to pass.

Please refrain from listening to music or podcasts or using your phone while riding. Paying attention to motor vehicle noise is an important element of safe biking (which is made harder by the growing prevalence of silent electric cars).

Ride single file, use the correct hand signals, don’t stop at blind corners or just beyond the crest of a hill, use lights and reflectors, day and night, obey stop signs, and wear high-visibility clothing and a properly fitted bike helmet—it’s the law ($29 fine if caught not wearing one). Carry lots of water, nourishing food, a basic First-Aid kit, and spare parts, in particular if your bike is specialized. A handlebar horn or bell and a side mirror are a MUST.

Take it easy going downhill, especially when the road is wet or when a sharp corner awaits. I’ve seen several riders travelling downhill at high speed land hands-first when unable to complete a corner.

Avoid riding near an SGI ferry terminal at arrival and departure times, as the temporary increase in traffic can be harrowing. If you have just arrived on one of our islands, let the motor vehicle traffic pass before proceeding on your way. As a general rule, the islands’ roads are quieter in the early morning, on weekdays, and from fall through spring.