Late Nights In the Woods! | Bikepacking Victoria, BC Cowichan Valley 8

[@thattravellingguy]

I was in Vancouver last August and September. Also spent time in Vancouver island. The Canadians are so friendly, polite and courteous. Loved every one of them. The memories of My stay in Vancouver and Vancouver island are completely dedicated to them.

[@PursuingMountains]

That’s awesome! They are the best ☺️

[@james.ainsworth]

What a great video. I live in Shawnigan Lake. In fact you rode past my house. It is great seeing and hearing from others that use and explore our local trails. Such a shame about getting stuck at that gate. These gates are fairly new, but there is a way around them by taking a turn up a gravel road a few hundred meters before reaching the gate. I hope you enjoyed your time on the Island and you'll be back for more.

[@TroyHudson-m7d]

Will have to remember this next week. :)

[@JustJake77]

I've lived in Victoria on and off for 20 years.... Describing it as a cross between Europe and the PNW is an accurate description.

[@PursuingMountains]

Right?! Such a cool vibe there! That’s awesome you lived there for so long. What amazing trails!

[@scratchcratch]

It's quite an adventure and nicely told as well. Living in the Metro Vancouver area, this is definitely a bikepacking route on my radar. Thanks for sharing, and best of luck on your trips!

[@LarryL05]

You are so right, addiction is a disease and we do not do enough to help these people.

[@jcmuellner]

Could have parked free at my place (Warmshowers host) in Port Angeles! Such a great route and there's many more on Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. Thanks for the video!

[@PursuingMountains]

Aww thanks! That would have been nice. We didn’t even look at warm showers for this trip.

[@myronas]

Totally agree on the drugs issues you mentioned.

[@theandrewness]

This is probably the best video on here that truly depicts the first day struggles and shows more of the trail through the ups and downs. Did the ride in May and was not expecting half of the terrain. Thanks for the vid!

[@heyjudesadventures]

Thanks for sharing. I'm from VI and I'm hoping to ride this route this route soon. I've ridden parts of it, but it's time to piece it all together. Great video 😊

[@PursuingMountains]

Nice! That’s awesome! Such nice trails :)

[@Goesriding]

Im from vic too and I always wanted to ride this. Read my mind.

[@planesandbikes7353]

enjoyed the video! I apologize for the government's choice up the ridiculous steepest route up the Malahat leaving Victoria. They have a perfectly good easy-grade former railroad grade they should have used, which would have been more useful for commuters also. Maybe some day it will be a proper rails to trail as the train will never return.

[@andrewhorsfield666]

I work for the parks department that manages the trails you used for a substantial portion of your trip. It's always interesting to hear how visitors, especially from out of town, feel about the trails. Glad to hear you enjoyed your experience!

[@planesandbikes7353]

move the trail up the Malahat to the E&N railbed please.

[@james.ainsworth]

A big "Thank you" to you and your department. I'm a big user of these trails, including the Galloping Goose, Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail, Trans Canada Trail, and the Cowichan Valley Trail. These trails are spectacular and well maintained. I'd love to know how I could help.

[@sasakontour]

I really enjoyed watching your video. You have such a nice way of storytelling and taking us a long the way of your adventure. I just found your channel and will watch the other videos you published. ☺️🦦

[@PursuingMountains]

Aww thank you! Glad you found us :)

[@everest1sierra2]

Welcome to Canada! Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands definitely have some killer hills! Great video!

[@PursuingMountains]

Thank you! 🙌🏼

[@Ryan_TheBold]

This is amazing! I only recently started watching your videos and have been entertaining the idea of my first weekend bikepacking trip. In the next few years, my part of the country (northern indiana) will be connecting a good amount of trails into an 80+ mile route that would be rad to ride!

[@PursuingMountains]

That’s awesome! You should! 🙌🏼

[@kizzmitten1]

Should be sponsored by BC Tourism. Nice work!

[@PursuingMountains]

Haha 😂! That would be nice

[@hikerbikerbirder]

@15:32 This is a Barred Owl (Strix varia), quite common on Vancouver Island.

[@alvinjohnston4565]

Thanx I live in Vancouver and I'm heading over to do this ride

[@PursuingMountains]

Nice. I hope you enjoy it!

[@myronas]

Congratulations for the editing and as always the music

[@PursuingMountains]

Thank you! 😊😊

[@Jackiemycat]

Oh you should have gone to Fields in Cowichan lake! I bought a huge bag of individual Haribo gummies for 4 Bucks. I’m a bus driver in Vic and they are my go to snack haha. I also give them to kid on the bus. Enjoyed your video so much. Have done most of the trails bit lots I haven’t. The Dog house is a iconic restaurant in Duncan. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@maxthrust976]

You were right about the vultures the first time, they are turkey vultures.

[@bicyclerider8218]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful video. You two make it so easy. Do you have a video describing your bikes and equipment? BTW, I've been sober for 39 years. Unfortunately, I know firsthand the damage addition causes, particularly to families.

[@PursuingMountains]

Congratulations on 39 years sober!! That’s amazing! Our most recent packing video is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoKvZ5enoMl0ZsU

[@ipodhty]

good to see someone who is not a asshole about our countries drug problem, but yeah always good to keep in mind sometimes you are not going through tourist towns, but real rural communities (which often come with a drug problem)

[@TravelWithTats]

So much fun! I’ve lived on Van Island basically my entire life and I only recently learned this is a thing! While I’ve never bike packed before, I can’t wait to give it a go. Your video instilled a great deal of confidence :) thank you

[@PursuingMountains]

That’s great! You should definitely give it a try! Such beautiful trails

[@Goadahell]

What a great video guys! Beautiful camera work and editing. I have ridden this route the last 2 years and it’s very cool to see it through someone else’s eyes/lens. Keep up the great work!

[@PursuingMountains]

Aww thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed the camera and editing work :)

[@miusop]

❤❤❤ Nice to see you again

[@PursuingMountains]

Thanks! 😊

[@jeanphillips2285]

I always limit my daily ride distance to no more than 40 miles. I try to make it just 30 miles and I always carry dry soups so I can have something to eat no matter what time I get to a hotel or campground. I used to ride 50 mile days but as I have gotten older, I want to see the sights and 50 miles is too long.

[@Naufrago_Sur]

Good to see you back on the bikes! 1. My go to is Life Saver gummies - berry when I can find them. 2. Where did you park in Port Angeles for future reference? Thanks for the video.

[@PursuingMountains]

I love Life Saver Gummies! We just parked in a parking lot near the ferry terminal, it’s pretty small, but I think it’s fine if you get there early enough

[@Jackiemycat]

I worked in that ferry the Coho and my dad ran it until he was 84!

[@Goesriding]

Nice Im from vic and saw your vid. Thanks for this 😊.

[@PursuingMountains]

Nice! Glad you found us ☺️

[@jasonarthurs3885]

A section of this trail is my daily commute.

[@ForKnFifties]

Nice 🎉

[@PursuingMountains]

Thanks! 🙌🏼☺️

[@ForKnFifties]

Was that Bear growling LoL..no on the owl for me, they freak me out.

[@PursuingMountains]

Haha 😂 I don’t think the bear was growling I think he was just breathing heavily since he was climbing a steep hill pretty quickly

[@ForKnFifties]

@@PursuingMountains LoL how I sound but I think I growl😆

[@melissapatrick6888]

Hey guys, thanks so much for this video! I'm doing this route in a couple of days and it was great to see your report! Can you pinpoint where the construction you had to go around is on the trail? I couldn't get a spot at Bamberton, so I'll be going straight to the ferry...I'm wondering if that will also keep me from hitting that closure. I'm so much more excited after watching your video! Thanks again!!!

[@planesandbikes7353]

they were on a side route away from the figure8 connecting to Bamberton campsite. It is just a paved road from Shawnigan lake to the Mill Bay ferry terminal.

[@luvinfunvan]

My son and I did this last year. How’d you like the hat climb? ;)

[@PursuingMountains]

Nice! Those climbs were tough on the first day for sure 😅

[@lisadee7150]

19:55 you were both half right. Those are turkey vultures!

[@Bikepacking]

Did you dry your sleeping bags with tennis balls

[@Goesriding]

Just a heads up, I tried to go up to the kinsol tressle bridge from victoria today but got stopped at goldstream camp grounds area (lower left of the 8) where there is a gate.. unfortunately the gate guy said this way was closed and told me to go through the campsite but that was also a dead end. Unless you want to rude the train tracks... I guess you guys got lucky and snuck through lol. Sucks cause only way to bike there is to go on the ferry.... lame..😢😢😢

[@james.ainsworth]

The entrance to the Sooke Wilderness trail starts at the Humpback water reservoir. I'm not aware of an entrance from the Goldstream Campground. They do have temporary closures near the water treatment center which can be found on the CRD website. The next scheduled closer is on July 15 from 8am to 12pm. The Sooke Wilderness Trail is challenging. It is a beautiful route but the hills are very steep.

[@Goesriding]

​@@james.ainsworthI did a ride to cowichan lake and back today

[@Goesriding]

​@jamesainsworth5711 Iv never been that way but does it lead to smoke lake rd to Niagara main rd? That's where they stopped me and told me to go golden gate rd route... it leads to the train tracks that connects back on Niagara main rd... but it's a locked gate.

[@Goesriding]

​@jamesainsworth5711 I just checked and they won't let you get onto Kapoor main from Niagara main either...

[@Goesriding]

​@@james.ainsworth oh I see what mean. Is the wilderness trail ride-able for bikes?

[@ForKnFifties]

How many miles average do bike tires last before they need replaced or do we wait for a blowout?

[@PursuingMountains]

At least 1000-3000 miles, but it depends on other factors such as terrain.

[@vlogyoutubeolja]

Очень интересно🤔💭

[@PursuingMountains]

Спасибо!

[@willwebster8711]

"Legislature Building" not Parliament. Turkey Vultures.

[@triathloner1]

Couldn’t tell from the video but those were probably turkey vultures.

[@PursuingMountains]

Oh cool! So we were both right…sorta 😆

[@path.1462]

I think those were real turkeys. They go into trees at night to roost. 🦃

[@planesandbikes7353]

actual turkeys. turkey vultures don't make that sound and are smaller

[@james.ainsworth]

These are just normal turkeys. Several years ago someone had released their turkeys after not wanting to look after them any more. This rafter of turkeys has grown over the years and have become part of our community in Shawnigan Lake. At times you will see as many at 20 turkeys strolling through the village.

[@FirstLast-ml7yf]

Love backwoods Kokisilah..