Saltspring Island
Wheel Life column - 29 April, 2000
by Todd Litman and Suzanne Kort - Victoria Transport Policy Institute

Now that the cycling season has arrived you may be thinking about longer rides and perhaps even overnight trips. Today's map shows a local favorite, a tour of Salt Spring Island.

This can be a day ride, or you can overnight at a campground or bed and breakfast. Ruckle Provincial Park is a popular camping spot, an old homestead that is still farmed, with beachside tent sites. There are plenty of services on the Island, including stores and restaurants in Fulford Harbour, Ganges and Vesuvius. For visitor information call 250-537-5252 or visit http://www.saltspringisland.bc.ca.

To get there take the ferry from Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour, or from Crofton to Vesuvius. Ferries leave about every 90 minutes and cost $5.75 per person, plus $1.50 per bike for a round trip. Call 1-888-BCFERRY (1-888-223-3779), or visit http://www.bcferries.com for information. To save energy you can take a BC Transit bus from Victoria to Swartz Bay. Not all buses have bikeracks, so check the schedule or call BC Transit customer service.

Like all the Gulf Islands, Salt Spring is hilly and roads are narrow and winding. Be a courteous and cautious rider. Wait for motor vehicle traffic to clear before heading out from the ferry terminal. Keep groups small, ride single-file at the right side of the roadway when motor vehicles approaches from behind, and get completely off the roadway whenever you stop to rest or admire the views.

Cycling is the ideal way to explore the islands. There is lots to see and do, including numerous art galleries and plenty of sheep. Pick up an Artist Studio Tour Map at the Tourist Information Centre in Ganges. There is an Arts/Crafts/Farmers market every Saturday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at Centennial Park in Ganges. For more information on the market and Island artists visit http://www.saltspringmarket.com.

The Gulf Islands have fragile environments so please don't litter or waste water. Relax and be friendly while visiting. Gulf Islanders pride themselves on their easy-going lifestyle. They don't appreciate big city folk who are always in a hurry and quick to find fault, especially if you arrive during a busy summer weekend and demand special treatment. But you wouldn't do that, would you? No, you're a cyclist!

The basic route illustrated here is 62 kilometres. If that's not enough there are plenty of side trips, including detours to Long Harbour or Ruckle Park, and the challenging ride up to Mount Maxwell Provincial Park. On a clear day the views at the top are spectacular. If riding makes you hot, stop for a cool dip in Saint Mary's Lake. Watch for the McFadden Creek Heron Rookery off North End Road.

For more information about this and other island tours we recommend "Touring the Islands" by Peter Powers and Renee Travis, or "Island Cycling" by David Payne, both available at local bookstores.

Get a great cycling map of Saltspring! The Island is included in our Tourist Map Package, giving you recommended touring routes, where the biggest hills are, public washrooms and drinking water locations.