British Columbia’s Beautiful Sunshine Coast & Islands

Google Maps route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/F8Gn1JSigyW8cVBT8  

Overview: This Coastal route follows the Strait of Georgia between Vancouver Island and the  Mainland. We will be looking at the sea and its many islands as we ride for days and explore nooks and crannies of British Columbia — an exceptionally beautiful corner of the world. 

We start and end in bike and transit-friendly Vancouver BC with rides that show off the city and the views from its mountains. Departing Vancouver, we take our bikes onto the ferry to Vancouver Island (one of four ferry rides during the tour).  We spend four nights on Vancouver Island, including two nights with an off-day on lovely Hornby Island. Our route follows the east coastline of Vancouver Island up to Comox, where we cross over to the north end of the Sunshine Coast. From Powell River there are ride options take you to Lund at the end of Highway 101 and even Savary Island if you are ambitious. Or, take a ferry to Texada Island - the largest of the islands in the Georgia Strait.

Monday, we take another ferry to the Sechelt Peninsula where we will stay in townhouses on a lovely secluded bay in Madeira Park. Our route continues the following day down to the south end of the Sunshine Coast where we will stay in Gibsons, the setting for a long-running classic Canadian TV series called The Beachcombers. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlzsSq0gisI)  

You can further explore the Vancouver environs pre- or post-tour with additional route suggestions available.  

Health and Safety: Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride. Should someone's health become compromised and the group’s health and safety placed in jeopardy, a plan will be developed by the ride leader(s) and communicated to all individuals. The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness as a means to ensure the tour can continue as planned.

Ride Rating: 

The ride rating of this tour is 3B, with 10 ride days, 7 of which are mandatory. The average daily mileage is 31 miles and the average elevation is 2,300 ft, with two days slightly exceeding 3,500 feet. The 7 mandatory ride days have an average distance of 32 miles and 2,573 feet elevation.  The longest mandatory cycling day is 48 miles and 2,931 ft elevation.  (Options for adding mileage or climbing are available on some days.)

Road conditions are generally good. There is occasionally heavy traffic at departures from ferry terminals that can be mitigated by waiting to begin riding until vehicles have disembarked. Grades exceed 8% occasionally, but for short sections. Some brief gravel road sections, but more packed dirt roads or paths on Hornby Island. Otherwise very limited gravel, though there are also some gravel options for people looking for more gravel. Plenty of places to stop along the routes for food or refreshments. 

Preliminary Itinerary:

• Sun 9/12: all arrive in North Vancouver - Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier 
Group dinner at Nook Restaurant

• Mon 9/13: Local rides in Vancouver (multiple options) 

• Tue 9/14: Ride to Horseshoe Bay - Ferry to Nanaimo - Ride to Qualicum Beach Inn

• Wed 9/15: Ride to Hornby Island - Sea Breeze Lodge (group dinner at Sea Breeze Lodge)

• Thu 9/16: off-day to explore and enjoy Hornby Island (group dinner at Sea Breeze Lodge)

• Fri 9/17: Ride to Courtenay - Bayview Hotel

• Sat 9/18: Rides on Vancouver Island ending with Ferry to Powell River Town Centre Hotel 
Group dinner at Hotel

• Sun 9/19: Local Rides from Powell River (with options to Lund or to Texada Island)

• Mon 9/20: Ride from Powell River to Madeira Park (w/ Ferry) - Painted Boat Resort

• Tue 9/21: Ride from Madeira Park to Gibsons - Garden Hotel

• Wed 9/22: Ride from Gibsons to Vancouver (w/Ferry) - Pinnacle at the Pier Hotel
Group dinner at FishWorks Restaurant

• Thu 9/23: all depart

Cue sheets, maps, GPS files: 

Digital files for Cue sheets, Maps and GPS files will be provided. 

Weather: 
September is a month with typically sunny weather in British Columbia with high temperatures in the mid-60s, lows in the upper-40s and generally low precipitation. Nevertheless, come prepared for rain. 

Lodging, Meals, & Happy/Social Hour: 

This is a roaming tour, though we will be staying two nights in three of the tour hotels. The selected hotels are typically the best option for each area. We aimed for four-star accommodation where possible. Two hotels are three-star or two-and-a-half star but clean and comfortable. 

Two of our lodgings (Sea Breeze Lodge and The Painted Boat) are in cabin and town house configurations meaning that you will be sharing common areas with other people in our party. At those locations, we will also be preparing breakfast on our own, though the tour will provide breakfast ingredients. 

There will be five group dinners: first and last nights in Vancouver, both nights at Hornby Island and in Powell River. Breakfasts every morning will be provided where it is served (for half they are not served at the hotel) . In other locations, we will provide breakfast fixings or arrange with a local breakfast restaurant.

Ten happy hours will be provided with soft drinks, beer & wine, and snacks. 

We use the Preferences in your Profile to try and accommodate your allergiesand dietary needs, so make sure those are updated and indicate if there is any type of food you will NOT eat. Very few hotels allow a group to order off the menu and some insist on serving only one main dish, with accommodations only for vegetarians and allergies.  

Logistics: 

The tour starts and ends in North Vancouver at the Pinnacles Hotel with our first meeting at 5:00 PM on Sunday September 12th, 2027, and it concludes the morning of September 23rd. Vancouver airport (YVR) offers excellent access and convenient public transportation options. The SkyTrain and SeaBus connect to deliver you to within 300 meters of Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier in North Vancouver. 

Tandems and eBikes (class 1 and class 3 only) are welcome on the tour. Note that bike storage at most hotels will be in your room. Bicycle rentals may be reserved directly with one of the rental companies we have identified. Ride Directors will provide rental company contacts upon request. Bike box storage will be available at the hotel, but please communicate with the Ride Director your intent to bring a bike box as a prior count is necessary.  Paid parking for the duration of the tour can be arranged at the Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier for a rate of approximately $300 USD for the 11-night duration. 

We will have a van driver whose primary role will be to transport luggage and supplies. While it will be available to assist with any emergencies, it will not serve as a SAG vehicle and participants are expected to complete all mandatory rides. BAC rides are designed for serious cyclists who are able to ride independently.

Cost & Administration: 

Trip cost includes: 11 nights lodging, 11 breakfasts, 10 happy hours, 5 group dinners, snacks and fixings to fuel your ride, and support for transporting your luggage along the route. Gratuities are included in the price for all lodging and group meals. 

NOT Included:  Travel to and from the tour, four ferry fares of $50 CAD total (2026 rates), travel insurance (recommended), alcoholic drinks at group dinners. Riders are responsible for their own bicycle maintenance and repair.  

Payment schedule:  

The tour cost is estimated at $3,425 and the initial deposit is $1,025 is due within 7 days of being accepted on the ride, with the second payment of $1,200 due December 1, 2026 and the final payment of $1,200 due April 1, 2027. The cost is estimated based on an exchange rate of $0.79 US per CAD. Depending on currency exchange rates, there may be an adjustment in the amount of the final payment.

Singles & Solos Policy: 

A “single” is a member who signs up by himself or herself and wishes to share a room with another participant. A “solo” is a member who signs up by himself or herself and does not wish to share a room.  It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single rider without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until December 1, 2026 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fee) or pay the $1,200 Solo Supplement and stay on the ride. If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary. The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.

The solo supplement payment of $1,200 is due by December 1, 2026 and can be paid by Zelle or check. To pay using Zelle:

● In your bank's website, add Bicycle Adventure Club as a new recipient, with email address treasurer@bicycleadventureclub.org

● Initiate a payment

● In the Message block, enter the name of your ride.

If you have questions, contact Nancy Bohnett at nbohnett@bicycleadventureclub.org. Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check and mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

Cancellation Policy: 

The BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the canceling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

Ride Participant Responsibility: Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from the Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

Insurance Statement:

BAC maintains two insurance policies: a) United States, and b) Foreign (all other countries). Both the U.S. and Foreign policies are considered secondary policies to your personal medical insurance policy. They are subject to a $1,000 deductible and may not cover all expenses related to an accident. Copies of the current policies are located under the “Docs” tab on the BAC website.

Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. While touring in the U.S, the BAC insurance includes coverage for injuries due to accidents during the bike trip. Members’ personal insurance will need to cover medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected illness (i.e. treatment for unexpected illnesses, including Covid, are not covered). While touring internationally, i.e., outside of the U.S., BAC maintains Foreign accident insurance to assist with expenses related to accidents, medical emergencies (including sudden and unexpected sickness), and repatriation. Insurance will apply door-to-door for treatment and travel for a maximum of 90 days overall. Coverage extends to a limited period spanning the published BAC trip dates, allowing for side trips occurring before and after the BAC ride; the limitation period is 7 days before or after the published BAC trip dates. The policy covers the cost of treatment for Covid and other unexpected illnesses, but not quarantine.

Sign-up: 

To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the Tour Deposit and the non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee by credit card. There is an $85.00 domestic ride fee. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.