Welcome to an interesting ride.  You see rivers, waterfalls, old growth forests, magnificent mountain views, and you even get to ride a ferry!

Main start:  Brentwood Bay ferry terminal.  Parking is limited.  You can park on Verdier Ave on the north side if you are east of Brentwood Dr.  Try Kimpa, which is on the north side of Verdier up the road a little bit. It is a dead-end street with a loop and is wide enough to handle off street parking.

Alternate start:  Nanoose (southbound).  There is a small gravel lot on Sanders Rd immediately before the railway tracks, less than 50m from the start.

All notes are based on distances from the official start in Brentwood.  Please note that opening times of services are sometimes wishful thinking--staffing issues force (temporary) closures.

km 26.1  Use the short gravel trail behind the highway barriers to access the traffic lights to enter highway.

km 54.8 Mill Bay 24hour services. Tim Hortons, Shell Gas

km 55.0  Use caution on trail descent.  There are some ruts just before the creek.  Once you climb back up (a few metres) the trail is in good condition. I rode down, but walked up, on my 25mm tires.

km 64.5  Gravel road for next 1.6km.  Go slowly on the descent.  I rode this on my 25mm tires.

km 109.0 Ladysmith 24hour services. 7Eleven, Shell Gas

km 126.5. You are just picking up speed on Tiesu Rd.  Hemer Service Rd to left looks like a driveway.  Gravel.

km 127.6. There is a sharp lip on the bridge.  Enter on right side for lowest impact.  

km 143.7 Nanaimo 24hour services. Canco Gas, McDonalds

km 145.2 Nanaimo 24hour services.  Tim Hortons

km 171.1 Nanoose 24hour services. Petrocan

km 178.7. Control 3.  The park sign is on the left before a short steep downhill.

km 191.1.  Entering Top Bridge Park.  The descent is getting rutted, so be cautious.

km 216.7. Most of the gravel through LIttle Qualicum is in good condition.  However, the short stretch straight ahead from Middle Bridge is a little rocky.  It's a short section. I rode it all on 25s.

km 275.7 Courtenay 24hour services. 7Eleven, McDonalds, Petrocan

km 312.0 to 320.9 / 367.8 to 376.5  Fresh pavement!  The road surface is wonderful.  As of pre-check, only some line painting to be completed.  There was no fog line.  There are some sections the edge of pavement merges into soft sand.  Hard to see at night.  Do not ride too close to edge!

km 333.3 to 334.0/ 354.6 to 355.3 Road works M-F, 7am to 5pm.  Multi-use path on water side of highway.  

km 335.4/353.0 Willow Point 24hour services 7Eleven, Tim Hortons.

km 336.8 to 337.3/351.3 to 351.8. Road works M-F 7am to 5pm.  Multi-use path on water side of highway. The stretch I rode was so fresh my 25s sank in a little!

km 344.3.  Campbell River 24hour services--Husky.  After 11pm, ring buzzer just to right of double door.

km 390.9. Courtenay 24hour services. Chevron, 7Eleven

km 392.7. Courtenay 24hour services. 7Eleven, McDonalds, Petrocan

km 463.7. Qualicum Beach 24hour services.  Construction into/out of/around Shell Gas.

km 474.6. Parksville 24hour services.  McDonalds, Chevron.

km 488.7 Nanoose 24hour services. Petrocan

km 509.0. Nanaimo 24hour services.  Tim Hortons

km 510.4 Nanaimo 24hour services. Canco Gas, McDonalds

km 539.0 Ladysmith 24hour services. 7Eleven, Shell Gas

km 572.1. Duncan 24hour services.  Tim Hortons in plaza to right of route

km 573.9. Duncan 24hour services. 7Eleven

km 596.5  Mill Bay 24hour services. Tim Hortons, Shell Gas