Bike Gear Database

A 43 km city loop that finds a surprising amount of dirt without leaving Vancouver: around Stanley Park, along the Kitsilano shoreline to Jericho Beach and its resident rabbits, then into Pacific Spirit Park, where trails wind beneath hemlock, fir, and spruce, finishing on the Arbutus Greenway. Gentle grades throughout, rideable after work, which is exactly the point of the name.

A 55 km introduction to North Shore gravel: cross the Lions Gate Bridge with the city at your back, then climb into the mountains on a mix of pavement and steep dirt, including the Fern Trail doubletrack with its views back over the Vancouver skyline. The ride tops out around the Cleveland Dam and Capilano River before the descent home. About 1,100 m of climbing, and it earns every metre.

A Vancouver gravel staple: 69 km linking protected bike lanes from downtown to the Seymour Valley, where a closed-to-cars paved trailway leads deep into the forest. The route visits the Seymour Dam, source of much of Metro Vancouver's drinking water, then returns on Spur 4 Road and Fisherman's Trail past a salmon hatchery and through pockets of old growth. About 1,200 m of climbing spread gently over the day.

A hardy 124 km lap of Texada Island, reached by ferry from Powell River. Mostly gravel, never busy, and far hillier than an island ride has any right to be: the climbing comes constantly in steep pitches, nearly 2,900 m of it. Come with low gears and a full day, or split it with a night at one of the island's campgrounds.

A 58 km mixed-surface loop out of Esquimalt near Victoria, about 40% unpaved with 600 m of climbing and some genuinely rough stretches. A local's line through the South Island's backroads, named for the rider who shared it.

From Lake Cowichan, this 123 km mixed-surface ride crosses to Port Renfrew and back through some of the island's most storied country: ancient forest, crystal-clear rivers, and long quiet logging-road stretches. About 3,200 m of climbing and remote in the middle, so carry what you need. The tall trees are not a figure of speech.

A 64 km rolling loop through the Comox Valley near Courtenay, mixing quiet pavement with gravel stretches and about 600 m of gentle climbing. Farm country riding with the Beaufort Range on the horizon and the valley's food-and-cider scene close at hand.

An 83 km rolling loop out of Victoria through Metchosin's rural roads and trails, about a third unpaved with 800 m of climbing. Farm stands, ocean glimpses, and forest stretches trade places the whole way around; a local's tour of the capital's quiet west.

A 100 km road ride from Esquimalt up the Saanich Inlet coast toward Mill Bay and back, with about 1,100 m of climbing. Classic South Island road touring: shoreline stretches, forested climbs, and enough distance to make the coffee stop count.

A 48 km ride on Thompson-Nicola backroads, about three-quarters gravel, with roughly 750 m of climbing that arrives in steep pitches rather than long grinds. A solid half-day out in quiet country.

A mostly flat 50 km gravel loop built for cruising, strung with lakes and quiet forest roads. Halfway around, a roadside restaurant serves authentic Quebec-style poutine, and the Chasm viewpoint is worth the photo stop. Almost all gravel, barely any climbing, and long stretches with nobody around.

A 510 km multi-day route through Haida Gwaii, the remote archipelago off BC's north coast. The riding threads temperate rainforest and rugged coastline, passing near ancient Haida village sites, with about 5,500 m of climbing along the way. Roughly a third is unpaved, and services are few and far between. The published account of riding it solo is a story of connection as much as cycling: this is a place you visit on its terms.