Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Autumn Escape
    • Amateur Photographer of the Year 2023
    • Hotel Zed Contest
    • It’s A Shore Thing Summer Getaway
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Autumn Escape
    • Amateur Photographer of the Year 2023
    • Hotel Zed Contest
    • It’s A Shore Thing Summer Getaway
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / Two wheel journeys: new guidebook will help you explore Vancouver Island by bike

Colleen Macdonald signs copies of her new book “Let’s Go Biking, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast” at Mermaid Tales Bookshop on Aug. 14. (Marcie Callewaert photo)

Two wheel journeys: new guidebook will help you explore Vancouver Island by bike

September 5, 2022 //  by Nora O'Malley

Share this:

For Vancouver Island cyclists and visitors with a penchant for two-wheel touring, a new book is catching eyes.

Colleen MacDonald has just published her third biking route book Let’s Go Biking, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast.

MacDonald says she created the book she wanted to buy, suitable for all abilities, with a simple colour-coded layout that includes multiple route options and information on one page so it can easily be displayed in a map case.

Always been an avid cyclist, MacDonald’s explorations truly began after she retired and she began to explore maps – another passion.

Curiosity took over — “How can I get there? What does it look like?” — and she would plan routes to explore by bike.

Her blog “Let’s Go Biking” turned into her first book, Let’s Go Biking, Vancouver, followed shortly after by an Okanagan title.

READ MORE: 1,000 km route opens northern Vancouver Island to ‘bikepackers’

The Vancouver resident expected to need a few weeks to cover Vancouver Island while researching routes. In the end she needed six full weeks.

And while her chosen routes may not be the most direct or the fastest way to get from A to B, they are designed to encourage exploration and sightseeing. She describes them as “little toodles” with time to “stop and smell the roses” or to check out a great café along the way.

The approach makes the guide a fantastic introduction for those new to the sport or looking for some guidance before starting out.

Among the best routes, MacDonald said while in Tofino for a book signing, is the new ʔapsčiik t̓ašii (pronounced ups-cheek ta-shee) multi-use path connecting Tofino and Ucluelet through Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

READ MORE: Park, Dump or Tzou, Southern Vancouver Island offers world-class mountain biking for all levels

MacDonald was thrilled to see cyclists, rollerbladers, wheelchair users, entire families and surfers with their board strapped to their bike, all sharing this path. The route design gets people off the highway and opens up a safe corridor to travel in – a “game changer” for the region. A few years ago she never would have considered bringing her bike to the coast with her; now it’s a must-do.

The community involvement with producing Let’s Go Biking, Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast was an important part of its design. Biking advocacy groups up and down Vancouver Island have provided suggestions and revisions to make sure each route is as safe and enjoyable as possible.

“People were not hesitant to share,” MacDonald says. “They wanted others to come explore and find these bike routes.”

Learn more at letsgobiking.net

—Marcie Callewaert Special to the Westerly

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: Accessible Travel, Biking, British Columbia Destinations, Family activities, Staycation secrets, Things to do, Things to Do in Vancouver Island

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Waterfalls, not wildflowers are Mt. Rainier National Park’s main springtime attraction

By Taylor Newquist, The Spokesman-Review A thin layer of clouds hung over Mount Rainier on…

Waterfalls, not wildflowers are Mt. Rainier National Park’s main springtime attractionRead More

Fly high and touch the sky at Golden Skybridge

For adrenaline junkies, outdoor adventurers or families looking for a thrilling, interactive way to spend…

Fly high and touch the sky at Golden SkybridgeRead More

Ottawa rejigs trusted-traveller program in bid to avoid last summer’s airport chaos

The federal government has rolled out a revamp of its trusted-traveller program to clear any…

Ottawa rejigs trusted-traveller program in bid to avoid last summer’s airport chaosRead More

Fire-breathing metal dinosaur roars for travellers in BC Ferries lineup

Passengers waiting at a BC Ferries terminal in Nanaimo in Vancouver Island were probably not…

Fire-breathing metal dinosaur roars for travellers in BC Ferries lineupRead More

‘You barked, we listened:’ BC Ferries’ pet pilot project expanded

Dogs – and cats – are getting their day on BC Ferries … at least…

‘You barked, we listened:’ BC Ferries’ pet pilot project expandedRead More

200+ former employees return to Lytton’s Kumsheen Resort to kick off 50th anniversary

In what was expected to be one of the biggest gatherings in the Lytton area…

200+ former employees return to Lytton’s Kumsheen Resort to kick off 50th anniversaryRead More

Summer zipline tours to restart at Juneau’s Eaglecrest Ski Area

Visitors to Juneau, Alaska can once again take to the skies at Eaglecrest Ski Area,…

Summer zipline tours to restart at Juneau’s Eaglecrest Ski AreaRead More

5 ways to be more food sustainable while travelling

By Katrina Sirotta It’s the night before a big trip. You’ve got your luggage packed,…

5 ways to be more food sustainable while travellingRead More

Travel, tourism sectors set for major recovery this year: Report

A new reports finds that Canada’s travel and tourism sector is poised for a big…

Travel, tourism sectors set for major recovery this year: ReportRead More

Previous Post: « Free beach wheelchairs create opportunity Victoria couple thought gone forever
Next Post: Southwest Washington winemakers savour unique grape-growing region »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

Waterfalls, not wildflowers are Mt. Rainier National Park’s main springtime attraction

May 26, 2023

Fly high and touch the sky at Golden Skybridge

May 25, 2023

Ottawa rejigs trusted-traveller program in bid to avoid last summer’s airport chaos

May 24, 2023

Fire-breathing metal dinosaur roars for travellers in BC Ferries lineup

May 24, 2023

Recent Posts

Waterfalls, not wildflowers are Mt. Rainier National Park’s main springtime attraction

May 26, 2023

Fly high and touch the sky at Golden Skybridge

May 25, 2023

Ottawa rejigs trusted-traveller program in bid to avoid last summer’s airport chaos

May 24, 2023

Fire-breathing metal dinosaur roars for travellers in BC Ferries lineup

May 24, 2023

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon

Copyright © 2023 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved