The days are galloping past now, can't quite believe this is Day 7 I am writing about. We woke this morning to another overcast day, but once again, the temperature was pleasant and it wasn't raining. The aim was to get packed and on the road pretty early, as it was Wendy told me the time was about 8:20am and we were still in bed - must be the sea air. We were both still 'stuffed' from dinner the previous evening, so we passed on breakfast. Not the most economical thing to do as we would only end up buying something for lunch later - you would think we would have learned that lesson by now wouldn't you! So up we got and busied ourselves throwing our worldly possessions such as they are, into the waterproof bags ready to load onto the bikes. It still amazes me when I look at the pile of bags every morning and how much goes on the bikes. We both have four bags, granted mine are bigger. Never the less, everyday we strap, hang or put inside panniers, what roughly approximates another person!!!!!!!! I made a couple of trips to 'Gertie' and on the first return trip to the room, I found Wendy 'gassing' to the couple in the room next to us. We had sat next to them at dinner the night before and had been on a 'nodding' acquaintance since. Of course it would take us leaving to finally exchange a few words and once again, 'Sydders' was the gel factor! We had heard the 'accent' during dinner and knew they were fellow Brits. They were over here on a 3 week touring holiday of Western Canada. While they headed off to Tofino and some sea fishing, we popped on helmets and gloves, fired up the bikes and prepared to head out onto the Pacific Rim Highway.
The first 25km runs down the Ocean side of the thin peninsular, until a sharp left turn headed us toward some pretty testing 'twisties' on Route#4. I knew Wendy was a little apprehensive about this first section, as there was at least 40km of real switchback roads. If I was on my own or with a more experienced rider, this section would have been a real 'hoot' to ride. Technically challenging, you have to be on your game the whole time. A mistake here will send you over a pretty steep drop or into a rock face beside the road. Overcook a bend and you will find yourself staring into any oncoming traffic. Wendy admitted that stretches of this part of the road had frightened her on the way over. At least this time, it was dry and we had covered the road before. There was other traffic on the road which helped keep the speed down and when I had a clear road in front of me, I moderated my pace allowing Wendy to catch up. All in all, I thought she rode very well. After about 40km, the twists and turns moderate quite significantly and the run into Port Albini was on generous winding mountain roads as opposed to switch backs. For the serious riders out there, make a note! Must get to ride the Pacific Rim Highway! At times like the Dragon in NC, but much much longer! Anyway, into Port Alberni we rode with me looking for the first available coffee/bathroom and leg stretch stop. After 2 hours in the saddle my butt was 'square', I needed to get of the bike for a while!
The remainder of the run up to Campbell River was uneventful. At the end of Highway #4, we made a 90' left turn and joined Highway #19 heading north. This is all 4 lane highway with a posted speed limit of 110kph. I set up a pace of about 115/120kph and we raced northward. I was soon suffering from a square butt again and having to change my riding position to gain some relief. I have found one position in particular, which is really relaxing and takes the weight off my butt. I take my feet off the 'pegs' and dangle my legs. This horrifies Wendy as she sees my feet almost on the road surface while I'm riding along. Truth be known, they are not 'almost' on the road surface, in many cases, they do drag along the road. I then lean forward onto the tank, supporting my weight on the fuel tank. I can and have covered miles in this position. When I finally sit upright again, I feel quite refreshed. Right up to the moment my butt goes numb again, then I repeat the process as required. So it was with legs dragging and sprawled across 'Gerties' fuel tank, that we arrived on the outskirts of Campbell River.
We had considered riding all the way up to Port Hardy at the northern tip of Vancouver Island, but really didn't see the point. It is about another 240km north of Campbell River, all for what? To say we had been there, then had to spend another day to get back this far. The extended run would also have added a further 2 days to the trip, time we didn't have. So, we elected to make Campbell River our most northerly stop. When we go on trips that require several 'affordable' hotel stops, we book Best Western where possible. Wendy had found a Best Western in Campbell River, right on the Ocean front. Well to be precise, there is a busy main road between the hotel and the Ocean. However, I'd venture to suggest that we are as close to the water here as we were at Tin-Wis. Once checked in, we rode the bikes to the back of the hotel and found our room. Fortunately we can park the bikes right outside the room, which is very handy for loading again in the morning. The bikes are also out of view from curious eyes, who may want to take a closer look at 'Sydders' without our approval!
The hotel certainly isn't a modern building and the rooms show their age. However, the room is spotlessly clean and has a lovely little balcony with an ocean view. As soon as we had unloaded the bikes, it was a race to the shower - I came second!! Suitably showered and refreshed, we grabbed camera's and took a short walk along the shore. The 'beach' is covered with large cobbles and where there is sand, it is a very coarse dark grey. The other distinctive feature along the shore line, are the countless number of logs. These have been bleached almost white by the sun and thrown up onto the shore. With the boulders, they provide a different texture and a strange beauty all of its own. After a stroll up and down the shore, taking several photo's, we felt the need for refreshment! As luck would have it, the hotel stands next door to a pub! Who would have believed it fan?? We felt duty bound to pop in and sample the beer and relax for a while. Like a true pub, they also did good old 'pub grub'. Wendy went for a burger, while I tried the fish & chips. Again like most pubs, it sounded way better than it actually was, but what the hell, it wasn't bad for the price. Fed and watered, we returned to out little room perched above the Ocean, Wendy to absorb all the local news and info from books in the room. Me to get the afternoons photo's downloaded and todays Blog finished at a reasonable time for a change.
So there we go fan, Day 7 almost finished and we haven't even got to my birthday yet..... Tomorrow morning, we will retrace our steps south, for the ferry back to the mainland. I'll be truly sorry to leave Vancouver Island, it has been a magical few days. There is something quite different about the pace of life on an island. Whether, as I described before, it is the tiny Isle of Wight that I know so well, or the much bigger Vancouver Island. There is a certain something, something intangible, but something special about life on an Island. Something that I find very appealing. That's it for today then fan, thanks for sharing the journey with us, nite nite, see you again tomorrow for another 'Letter from Canada'.
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