A  route that starts with a jaunt into the Cowichan Valley.  Starting at Berkey's Corner, head west to Lake Cowichan using the Cowichan Valley Trail, converted rail bed. Continue to Gordon Bay Provincial Park.  Remember the beach here so you can come back to swim.  Return along Riverbottom Road (yes, it has a couple of challenges), back onto the CVT.  Continue north through Chemainus, and back onto the north section of the CVT to Ladsymith, around Yellow Point and then through Hemer Provincial Park to the north end in Cedar.  Return back down to Berkey's Corner.  There are a few highway stretches, some deliberately chosen to avoid narrow and busy local roads.  There are reasonable services every 50km.  

Sandy, Nick and Mark completed the preride on Saturday, July 5th.  The route is in good shape!  The trails are hardpacked and dusty!  River Bottom Rd is as potholed and rough as ever.  Chemainus was busy with tourists.  Be good cycling ambassadors, please.  Exercise caution crossing the roads when on the Cowichan Valley Trail after Chemainus. It is wise to use the crosswalk up the road a few metres when crossing Old Victoria Rd at 70.8 km. Again when coming to the end of the trail, it is safest to cross Chemainus Rd. at the crosswalk after you cross N. Watts Road (70.3 km). The bridge lip in Hemer Park (146.4)has been reduced to a roll over size and not a concern.  The sign for the Mt Sicker Rd (191 km), is not there. Beware! 

Check out my RwGPS file for a more accurate elevation profile. Our devices all indicated between 1900 and 2000 metres of elevation gain. https://ridewithgps.com/trips/304598751

See you Berkey's Corner on the 12th!