On a nice day, when you're not in a hurry, and you want to get outside, take advantage of an amazing bike ride here in Victoria. Forests, farms, great views, a small town on the water, trestle bridges, and almost all with little or no car-traffic...
What you can do and see on this ride:
- Pick some blackberries if they are ripe.
- Park your bike and take a 1/2 hour walk around beautiful Swan Lake.
- Admire the beautiful open farmlands.
- Stop to visit with the pigs and chickens alongside the path.
- See great views of the water.
- Cross 2 cool trestle bridges
- Buy some flowers or farm grown fruits and veggies from small stands along the path (bring small change!), or stop at the Farm Market.
- See model airplanes flying.
- Visit the town of Sidney.
Directions:
Starting from downtown, cross the blue Johnson Street Bridge on the right hand (north) side. Take the first path off to your right, down a short hill. Follow the bike path signs for about 5 minutes until you come to the trestle bridge that crosses the Gorge Waterway. Cross the brige and you are now on an off-street bike path. When the path splits, don't go on the Gallopping Goose, but rather stay on the path leading you to the Lochside Trail. At one point you cross Quadra and cut diagonally on a bike path going NE towards Mckenzie. Cross McKenzie and look for signs for the Lochside Trail. Follow this trail all the way to Sidney (about 2 1/2 hours all together) or beyond. You can take a bus back from Sidney, or just turn around and ride back. The route is almost copletely flat. Enjoy!
You can buy the Victoria Cycling Map at any bike store in town.
