| Name | VI Spring 400 (#5635) |
|---|---|
| Info | ACP Brevet 400km Spring Brevet Series |
| Start Date | May 2, 2026, 5 a.m. |
| Ended | May 3, 2026, 8 a.m. |
| Region | BC Randonneurs CC - Vancouver Island (011611) |
| Start | A&W, 1023 Government St, Victoria V8W 1X6 |
| Route | Victoria - Genoa Bay - Renfrew - Victoria (401km) |
| Support Level | Low
|
| Climbing | 4669m (15318ft) |
- Route Sheet (17.9 KB)
- GPX (GPS File) (793.4 KB)
| *Tough, Murray |
- Conditions: Temp 10-25 Wind: Calm at start, light to moderate northerly in Cowichan Valley. Light SE in Port Renfrew.
Results
| Member | Time | Bicycle Class | Sortable time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armstrong, Jon | ??:??* | Single | 999999997 |
| Fairweather, Nicholas | 23:38* | Single | 85080 |
| Grant, Bruce | FIN* | Single | 999999993 |
| Kadziola, Andrzej | 20:39* | Single | 74340 |
| King, Dave | 21:40 VP | Single | 78000 |
| Rapier, Andrew | 16:54* | Single | 60840 |
| Rathwell, Steven | FIN* | Single | 999999993 |
| Testemale, Phil | DNF | Single | 999999998 |
| Tough, Murray | 21:40 VP | Single | 78000 |
| Wall, Valerie | ??:??* | Single | 999999997 |
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 the 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. There 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)
Pre-ride story: https://randonneurs.bc.ca/news/2026/04/all-around-the-circle-pre-ride/
Pre-ride notes:
|
10.1 km |
There are two trails. You want the paved trail furthest to the left, right beside the bus shelter |
|
10.1 km |
Near the end of the trail there is a ridge of soft sand that is hard to see in the dark |
|
31.7 km |
Toilets at summit viewpoint |
|
38.4 to 40 km |
Loose gravel on long winding descent |
|
79.4 km |
Control: Go all the way up the ramp, the answer is behind the pillar on the left side. Water and toilets in the building on south side of parking lot |
|
126 to 188 km |
No services, no toilets (Lizzard Lake appeared closed) |
|
133 km |
Loose gravel for several km at start of Pacific Marine Road |
|
203.8 km |
Toilets in rest area |
|
229.7 km |
Toilets and water in Jordan River Campground |
|
273.8 km |
Toilets at Roche Cove (Galloping Goose Trail parking lot) |
|
276.7 km |
Control: East Sooke Grocery store closes at 8:00 pm |
|
299.9 km |
24hr Chevron |
|
303.1 km |
Atkins Rd at Six Mile Rd bridge. If the trail is open, continue on trail. |
|
303.8 km |
Toilets and water at Atkins |
|
362.1 km |
Water fill station on trail at Mt. Newton X Rd |
Control 4: Chalet Rd mailboxes
Control 5: Arbutus Rd at Telegraph Rd