Lochside Regional Trail

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Sydney, B.C. Ferry
Day 3

We started our day with another great breakfast at The Ruby on Douglas.  Then we had a wonderful three-hour, 48.2 kilometers ride! That’s 30 miles, at about 10 mph.  

We left the hotel, mounted our bikes, rode a few yards to the Galloping Goose Trail, and headed out.  A few kilometers later, the Goose heads west and the Lochside heads north. 

The Trail (more aptly, “Route”) was as advertised, with a mixture of paved and gravel surfaces, both off-road and on.  Riding conditions were great.  Most of the on-road route had very light traffic.  The busier portions of the route were sufficiently wide with broad, well-marked bicycle lanes. 

The weather was cool, but not at all uncomfortable.  The scenery was varied and interesting, and sometimes downright gorgeous.  We saw a hawk and a fawn that still had its spots; the vegetable row crops in the agricultural areas looked bountiful.   
We rode to Sidney, stopped for a comfort break at Tulista Park, then began our return.  

The Trail actually continues another four kilometers, terminating at Swartz Bay, where one can catch BC Ferries to Tsawwassen and Gulf Islands.  But the threat of a downpour urged us to forego the remaining portion (not to mention the uphill return from the ferry docks on gravel bikes).  As it was, the rain did catch us about 2.5 kilometers from the hotel, but the downpour event waited until we made it indoors.  Perfect timing!!

After the rain abated, we walked to a nearby restaurant, Royal Spice Indian Cuisine, and had a tasty buffet lunch (very healthy, except for Rob’s Coke).  Then we walked to the nearby Mayfair Mall.  Our first stop was Purdys Chocolatier, where Diane had a scoop of very delicious Espresso Flake ice cream, catching up with Rob’s Coke.

Next stop was the Indigo Book Store where we bought our anniversary card, a ritual begun about 35 years ago.  The ritual:  we peruse the cards together, focusing on anniversary, love, friendship and “blank” categories, until we agree we have found the one best card.  Later, we each write a little something on the card, without letting the other see what one had written.  Depending on the events of the special day, a time is selected to “exchange” the sealed card. 

Having selected our card, we walked back to the hotel, once again getting inside before the second downpour of the day commenced.
Tomorrow, July 11, is that special day.  The exchange time will be sometime after we ride “segment one” of the Galloping Goose Trail. 

Cozy and currently out of the rain,
Diane & Rob


Hi, Today's pics try to highlight the various surfaces and types of roads/paths that make up the Lochside (route) Trail.

Diane entering the very urban part of our trail from our hotel parking lot.
Paved part of the Trail.

Gravel part of Trail through the woods.
Wood trestle on the Trail (a fairly rough ride).
One of the residential parts of Lochside Drive.
Gravel farm road/Lochside Trail.
To Close a couple of pics in Sydney, BC.





































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