Bike Gear Database

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.