This is a fun and easy day exploring a very rarely visited Northern Gulf Island. We start with the short 9:00 am ferry ride from Buckley Bay to Denman Island. Once off the ferry, we ride up the hill to the centre of town and have coffee and goodies at the excellent Abraxas Cafe. When everyone is suitably fuelled up, we ride gravel roads north, first detouring to check out Chicadee Lake, and then riding to the northern end of the island to descend the stairs at Morning Beach.
From there, we start heading south. This year, we will explore some new (to us) single-track down the centre of the island. If that doesn’t work out, we will ride Danes Rd gravel. Either way, we end up on the sandy beach trail at Fillongley Park, where we usually have lunch.
After lunch, we continue further south to go for a swim in Graham Lake and visit the cliffs over Chrome Island at Boyle Point Provincial Park. From here, we ride some single track up the centre of the island, eventually joining onto the paved road on the west side of the island, back to the ferry.
The distance is 51 km and the elevation gain is 730 m. The pace will be very relaxed, with numerous stops for sightseeing. There are several moderately technical single-track sections, making this ride suitable for more experienced riders, including those who have ridden the Green Gravel rides and are seeking their next challenge. If you want to do this ride, but are not comfortable with single-track, there is a link to a modified route that is all gravel road below.
The plan is to meet at 8:40 am at Buckley Bay to catch the so-called 9:00 am ferry (see https://www.bcferries.com/routes-fares/schedules/seasonal/BKY-DNM). There is excellent parking immediately across the old Island Highway from the terminal. Travel time from downtown Nanaimo is approximately 60 minutes, so plan accordingly - we’ve had riders miss the ferry in the past. That said, if you do miss the ferry, you can usually catch us drinking coffee in the Abraxas Cafe just up the hill from the ferry.
Like most MIVA gravel rides, this one takes place in an area with limited vehicle access and cell service. Riders are expected to be prepared for a four-hour ride, carrying supplies for basic mechanical needs, food, and lots of hydration. Good food and snacks are available at the beginning and end of the ride, but lunch is typically eaten on the beach at Fillongley Provincial Park, which offers no services except outhouses. If the weather is hot, bring a bathing suit (or consider swimming in your riding shorts), as excellent swimming opportunities are available.
This ride requires an MIVA membership, or you can try two MIVA events with a signed waiver. Waivers can be found on the "About Us" page: either print, sign and bring along, or fill it out and email to miva.board@gmail.com
RidewithGPS: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52085398
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3254635359692354334
Strava - Roads Only Route: https://www.strava.com/routes/2845887341653735896