The VI Spring 400 takes you along scenic coastal roads, around lakes, past farms, through forests and up and down hills. There are quite a few hills. Don’t be too alarmed by the hills. They are all very rideable. All the longer climbs are at easy grades.

We start with an early morning ride over the Malahat (starting at 20 km). It is a surprisingly delightful ride when traffic is light. You will catch breathtaking views of the Saanich Inlet and Gulf Islands. Views that you would miss in a car. The climbing is all at easy, highway grades with lots of breaks on flat sections and the occasional downhill. The morning air is still cool, which makes for pleasant climbing conditions.

The ride along beach on Mill Bay Road affords unobstructed views of the Saanich Inlet. From there, we ride past vineyards on Telegraph Road, through Cowichan Bay and around the Cowichan Estuary. The ride to Genoa Bay Road has a different landscape around every corner. You will pass a farm with massive, moss-covered boulders. How did they get there? We then go inland up to Lake Cowichan.

Note that Lake Cowichan is the last chance to get water before Port Renfrew. 

If you are planning to use the washrooms in Port Renfrew, there are no public facilities. The are washrooms at the Renfrew Pub and at the Gas Bar. Plan to purchase something if you are using these facilities.

The climb out of Port Renfrew is long but will eventually afford you with outstanding views across the Juan de Fuca Strait to the Olympic Peninsula. The ride continues through Sooke, East Sooke, Metchosin and Langford.

Finally, there is a loop around the Peninsula. When you get to Hunt Road, at about 370km, stop, turn off your lights, look up at the stars and prepare to be amazed. We finish with the waterfront route back to the start in the heart of downtown. Be sure the check out all the coastal lights as you ride along Dallas Road and savour your last kilometers.

The VI Spring 400 is a challenging ride. I hope you enjoy it.

24hr parking is available at the Broughton Street Parkade at 745 Broughton St (the Library building)