Excerpt
British Columbia
A Novice Cyclist's Adventure
A Nonfiction Story by Amber Lea Starfire, ©2005
People do odd things around their 50th birthdays – jump from airplanes, scale mountains, learn to ski, or go on bicycle tours. Quickly approaching my own half-century mark, I wanted to commemorate it with my own accomplishment, something I could boast about and would express my love of adventure. I was introduced to bicycling two years prior and had never cycled more than 35 miles in a day. Reading about others' bicycling adventures however, I envisioned myself fit and strong, cycling through beautiful landscapes, and the idea of celebrating my 50th birthday with a bicycle tour was born.
My boyfriend, Rich, was game to join me on the adventure, and we began to investigate guided commercial tours. I was amazed to discover how many activity-oriented touring companies there are, and the multitude of locations and types of travel offered. There is something for everyone's inclinations and budget: "Love, to get down and dirty, go camping, climb grueling hills all day? We have the tour for you." Or, "Come explore these exotic islands in luxury with our fully equipped support team." I fantasized about exploring the British Isles, France, Italy, or exotic locations such as Japan or Thailand. In the end, with only one week's vacation time and a limited budget, we decided to go to Vancouver Island, B.C. on a self-guided tour, staying relatively close to our home in Napa, CA.
We would have to provide for ourselves all of the support typically provided by a full-service tour company: accommodations, meals, transportation, transfer of equipment and luggage, bicycle maintenance, and itinerary planning. Rich and I felt that the disadvantages of going on our own were outweighed by enhanced autonomy, spontaneity, economy, and adventure. We decided to go in mid-May, when cool weather, limited chances of rain, and low numbers of tourists would coincide. Understanding that our lack of experience made it doubly important to gather as many resources and be as prepared as possible for every contingency, I spent hours poring over travel guides and tourist web sites. I ordered maps, contacted bicycle shops in the area, and asked for advice and recommendations from nearly everyone I knew. ...
... After several months of planning, the Big Day had come. A short flight from San Francisco brought us safely to Victoria where we took a shuttle to our chosen "home base" -- the Gatsby Mansion Inn, a magnificently picturesque Bed and Breakfast in downtown Victoria. With its brilliant white, board-sided exterior, 3 storied hexagonal tower, and deep, inviting porch, the main Gatsby Mansion Inn is a stately presence on Government Street, a few blocks from the parliament house after which the street is named. We checked in and then walked about a mile up Government Street to Sports Rents, where two sturdy touring bikes, equipped with panniers, were waiting for us. Brad, the shop guy, was polite and extremely helpful. In fact, everyone we met during our stay in Canada was considerate, gracious, and always ready to lend a hand. ...
... One of the attractions of Canada is the Trans-Canada Trail system which links regional multi-use trails from one coast of Canada to the other. Vancouver Island boasts two regional trails, the Galloping Goose, and the Lochside; both were created over former railway lines and therefore nearly flat –an appealing feature to novice cyclists.
Leaving bustling city streets on our first day trip, we rode the Galloping Goose trail west until it intersected the Lochside Trail. Following the Lochside north, we cycled leisurely up the Saanich peninsula, over charming wooden bridges, through lush woods and recently ploughed farmland, to stunning ocean and gulf-island views. About a third of the way up the Saanich, following the guidance of our map, we left the trail for the streets and crossed over the mid-island hills to Butchart Gardens, situated on Tod Inlet, near Brentwood Bay. The Gardens, surreal in their beauty, made me feel that I'd stumbled onto an enchanted island. ...