Bike Touring --Introduction--
Bike
Trip
Intro
Bike
Trip
Intro

Intro.

     Starting on Apr. 28, I toured Sunshine Coast and southwestern part of Vancouver Island on a bicycle for a week. I was carrying camping gear including tent, sleepingbag and cooking utensils, so my travel plan has flexibility.

      The weather was perfect whole week except a 15-minute-rain on Day 6. Luckily, I got no flat tire, and no serious accidents.

      This website was made for anybody interested in bike touring around this area. Feel free to ask me if you have questions. Or, if you are interested in touring with me, don't hesitate to contact me. I'll be more than happy to go with you.

     Also, I'd appreciate it if you correct my English. As you see, English is not my mother language. I need to practice writing in English, and am willing to do.

      My email address is jyassy@shaw.ca

      Finally, I appreciate all people who supported my bike trip. I thank especially Lance who kindly offered me his well-maintained bicycle as well as nice helmet and panniers. Also, Dave and Lucy, my home stay parents, who gave me good advices, and Mrs. Ruth Schiller and Mr. Lee who both offered me to stay at thier houses over night. And many other people who are kind enough to help me when I got lost during the trip. Thank you so much.



Belongings
      The figure below pretends a bicycle with four pannier bags and extra staff on the top of the rear pannier rack. Since the heaviest staff (you) is sitting on the rear tire, the rear tire tends to get flat more often than the front tire. So, the basic idea of packing is that the heavy staff go into the front bags and the light ones into the rear to minimize the chance the rear tire gets flat.

Front
^
Bag 1
  • Drink
  • Repair Kit
  • Lantern
  • Candles
  • First Aid Kit
  • Toilet Paper
  • Plastic Cup
  • Water Carrier
  • Tea Bags
  • Flash Light
  T
i
r
e		  
  Bag1Bag2 
    
     
     
  Bag3TopBag4 
     
Top
  • Tent
  • Sleeping Bag
  • Air Pump
  • Rain Cover
  • Mattress
Bag 2
  • Radio
  • Cooking Pot
  • Cooking Pan
  • Stove
  • Cannister
  • Shampoo
  • Magic Tape
  • Garbage Bags
  • Battery Recharger
  
Bag 3
  • Towels
  • Gloves
  • Camera
  • Socks
  • Underwears
  • Cutting Board
  • Book
Bag 4
  • Fleece
  • Maps
  • Pants
  • Pajama
  • Shirts
  • Spices
  • Pasta
v
Rear


     Other than these, a small pouch will work for holding map, wallet, energy bar and camera (if light enough) very well. I wouldn't recommend backpack for a long touring, especially to people who don't have a strong back.



References
  • "Island Cycling" By David Payne
Very useful and readable book. The author lives in Nanaimo and has a lot of experiences all over The Island. ISBN: 1551430827
  • "The Sunshine Coast : from Gibsons to Powell River" By Howard White
A comprehensive work about Sunshine Coast. A lot of nice pictures and histories. ISBN:1550170813
  • "Bicycling Vancouver Island & the Gulf Islands" By Simon Priest
Practical book for cyclists. It has a topographical map. I found it useful. ISBN:0888944209
It has very important information about Provincial Parks. Very useful if you are going to camp in provincial parks.
Important information about Forest Service campsites
Touring guide of British Columbia. It covers most cities and regions.
Very useful to find both provincial and private campsites
One of the useful News Group.
One of the useful News Group.



 
   First Day ==>