This ride will start at the Rusticana Cafe in Mill Bay at 8:30am.  This allows riders from Victoria to catch the 7:30 ferry from Brentwood Bay and get to Rusticana's at around 8:15.

The route starts out along the north end of Shawnigan Lake and eventually joins up with the Cowichan Valley Trail.  It leads across the Kinsol Trestle, one of the tallest free-standing and most spectacular timber rail trestle strucutres in the world, with 187m in length and 44m above Koksilah River.  This is also where the first Control is located.

Continuing along Cowichan Valley Trail (CVT), the route is currently slightly obstructed by a small bridge construction at km 24.  The construction should be finished by this event, but in case it is still in progress, it is possible to navigate past the construction on the right hand side of the trail.

Shortly after, you will leave the CVT onto Holt Main, to bypass the Holt Trestle replacement.  You get to a gate and will enter Mosaic Property.  A sign at the gate informs us that access is permitted on weekends and holidays from 8am to 8pm:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48110631#photos/16049125

At km 30.6 the route crosses Holt Creek on a very rustic log bridge which requires walking.  This is also the location of the second control.  The trail is quite overgrown for about 1km, after which you reach Skutz Falls Service Road.  This part of the route is beautiful, but also remote.  You must be completely self sufficient and be able to deal with any bike issues.  It is highly recommended to buddy up for the next 14km.

At km 44.4 you pop out across the Cowichan River (very tempting to stop for a quick dip) and back on to the CVT.  From here the route is quite flat all the way to Lake Cowichan (Control 3), a good place to stop for a bite to eat.  Back on the CVT to Duncan where you will cross the TC highway and shortly after stop at St. Ann's Church for Control 4.  With some great views through Cowichan Bay, you tackle a fairly steep climb at km 96 followed by some rolling hills to the finish line.

You should consider using at least 35mm gravel tires.  Doing this ride with smooth road tires is not recommended.