Join us for the first Gravel Buddies Rally!

This rally aims to build confidence, empower, create connections, and explore beautiful places in a supportive setting. We will share knowledge, learn by doing, and above all else, have fun!

Route will take you to some of my favorite places - the countryside of Cowichan Valley, Ruckle Park where we camp by the ocean, and 707 Community Park full of flowy single tracks. 

Day 1

Riders will meet at Ambleside Beach on the morning of August 16th to embark on a ride to Horseshoe Bay. Once we get off the ferry in Nanaimo, we start an 80km ride to Stoltz Pool Campground with 850m of elevation gained. Most of the route this day is paved, avoiding the highway and taking the back roads through more quiet neighbourhoods until we reach Cowichan Valley Trail to our destination. 

Day 2

The next day there will be an optional ride to Lake Cowichan, this way the riders can ride the whole loop of Cowichan Valley Trail and get some supplies in town. Continuing through Mill Bay the ferry takes you to Saanich from where you have one more ferry to catch - to Salt Spring Island. This 100km day with 850m of elevation will be packed with beautiful trails, lovely ferry sailings, and gorgeous views from the campground by the water. 

Day 3

On August 18th we start the ride across the island to get to the Vesuvius ferry terminal and take the ferry back to Vancouver Island. From there we head back to Nanaimo and take another short ferry to Gabriola Island where we camp together one last time! A shorter ride (80km), but more elevation (926m) will make this another challenging day in the saddle.

Day 4

The last day of the rally will be all about celebrating our successful trip with a big group ride! We will ride fun Gabriola trails and say hello to the goats and alpacas before heading back to Vancouver in the afternoon.

The group will end the trip in Horseshoe Bay from where we split again and go our separate ways. Get ready for another 70-ish kilometer day, depending on where in Vancouver you need to get to.

Looking forward to this adventure!

Erika (she/her), Gravel Buddies

FAQs

How do I register?

You can find the event on Eventbrite! Registration opens on June 15th at 8 pm PST.

What’s the cost and what is included?

The event cost is $70 per person and it includes camping for all the nights. You are responsible for getting and paying for your ferry tickets (additional ~$70 without BC Ferries card), food, and supplies.

Is this a race?  

Absolutely not. Everyone rides at their own pace and if wanted you can join the group of riders who will be going at a similar speed. This should be about sharing good vibes, helping each other if needed, and above all, having fun!

Is it a group ride?

We won’t be riding as one group and won’t wait for every rider, but you don’t need to worry about being left behind. We will have a WhatsApp chat where we can share everyone’s location to make sure we are not missing any riders. 

Do I need to have previous bikepacking / gravel riding skills?

Having previous skills would be very handy, as riding 100km with a loaded bike for multiple days is not an easy task! That being said, everyone is encouraged to join, just keep in mind it’s at your own risk. 

Do I need a water filter? 

Unless you plan to carry lots of water with you, a water filter comes in very handy. There is no drinking water at Stoltz Pool campsite, but filtering water from the nearby river is an option. There will also be a few resupply points either on the way or on the ferries every day.

Are there resupply points?

Yes, there are grocery stores on every day’s route, marked on the Ride with GPS maps. 

What if I have a mechanical on my bike that needs to be fixed?

It’s handy to have some basic bike mechanic skills. Unfortunately there aren’t many bike shops along the way, only in Nanaimo and on Gabriola Island. Please come prepared, carrying a spare tube and a fix kit.