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thedougsite
Vancouver
Island Picnic
Labour Day Weekend 2010
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'The Wife' and I decided to do an over-nighter to Vancouver Island, as
a short get-away and to drop in on the CMC picnic taking place in
Parksville. We fired up Big Blue and did the scenic 45-minute ride to
Horseshoe Bay to catch the ferry. Long weekend ferry traffic was
heavily backed up but we were on a bike and rode right to the front of
the line, the way it should be. After crossing the Straight of Georgia
we disembarked at Nanaimo and rode up-island to Parksville where we
hooked up with another rider who guided us all the way on up to
Campbell River where we had booked a motel. The 'Old Island Highway' is
always a treat to ride as it passes along the coast and makes its way
through all the small communities.
Next morning we hooked up with our friend and another rider and rode
down-island to Courtenay where another rider joined us. From there we
headed on down to Parksville where CMC riders from all over the island
were congregating for a camp out picnic. This first pic is at
Oyster Bay, over looking the Straight.
Heading down-island in formation, two
riders ahead of us and one behind. The weather was glorious.
Here's our 'tail gunner' following
behind. Its a beautiful Sunday morning and we have the Old Island
Highway to ourselves.
Passing through Qualicum Beach, tide
is out, clouds are up against the mainland mountains.
Rathtrevor Park in Parksville. CMC bikers from all over the Island were
here for a 'meet-in-the-middle' picnic. Many of them had camped for the
weekend. Lots of bikes, lots of familiar faces as well as lots of
interesting new characters to meet.
More bikes.
And more bikes.
And even more bikes. There's Big Blue
sitting parked with the bikes from Campbell River.
We left the campground when it was time to head for the Departure Bay
ferry terminal in Nanaimo. The overhead highway sign as we neared
Nanaimo indicated that our ferry was full. However, we were on a bike
and therefore rode straight to the front of the line again, perhaps to
the frustration of the many car drivers who would have to wait for the
next sailing. Here's a shot of the terminal area and part of the
Nanaimo waterfront.
Disembarking at the Horseshoe Bay terminal was easy. Just keep tight to
the right and you swing right up onto the highway for Squamish. Miss
the turn and you are stuck in the heavy traffic as it enters onto
Highway #1. Took us an easy 45-minutes to ride up the Sea-to-Sky, and
we were home. Had another great ride and weekend.
