walking

 

Royal Roads Trail video 

Saturday, April 25, 2026 was an awesome 53.5km ride for at leasst one Bravehearts Cycling Group (BCG) member.

---

Led by Grant the group left the Switch Bridge (SB) at 10am headed for Esquimalt Lagoon and Royal Roads.

---

Upon reaching the 13km Marker along the Galloping Goose Trail (GGT) this was the first time most BCG members got to cycled across the newly-opened Colwood Gateway Overpass (CGO). Yes, we have video-to-prove-it.

---

From the CGO, the route was along Ocean Boulevard to Lagoon Rd and into Royal Roads campus. (see video)

---

Bravehearts members, having dispersed upon leaving the Lagoon, left the Three Amigos: Bill, Bruce and Grant to complete their ride home using this route.

---

The total time and distance for Bill — and presumably others — was three hours and some 53.5km long.

---

Labels: bravehearts, colwood, ebike

 

Wednesday I cycled a 22km loop to Shoal Point Cafe (SPC) to meet with Bruce, Grant and Ken.

---

Bruce and Grant were just coming off a 50-60km mountainous bike ride.

---

We discussed the proposed Bravehearts' ride along Holland Creek Trail (HCT) between Chemainus and Ladysmith.

---

Ken has a brother in Duncan who apparently know the trail well and we will join him at the HCT trailhead.

---

Upon leaving SPC, my bike fell over on me as I was reaching for a padlock which I had dropped on the ground.

---

No big deal. Bruce and Grant extricated me from beneath my 60lb (27kg) bike and we were on our way home.

---

BTW Grant handed me my padlock and it was affixed to secure my rear carrier-box.

---

Labels: bravehearts, ebike, izip

 

Saturday, April 18, 2026 eleven Bravehearts Cycling Group members left the Switch Bridge (SB) on a 31km bike ride.

---

The destination was to be the obligatory coffee break at Mattick's Farm Coffee Shop

---

Before that was to happen, the group wanted to put some distance to their ride so headed to Michell's Farm Market first.

---

This made the routing simple inasmuch as it was outbound along the Lochside Trail and inbound along the Lochside Trail.

---

All riders added more distance to this ride depending upon how far their dwelling is from the SB.

---

Bill added 7.5km (38.47km) by visiting his wife at the Heights at Mount View (HMV) at 9:30am before the ride.

---

Labels: bravehearts, cordova, izip, saanich

 

Relive this ride 4/11/26
Saturday, April 11 2026. Bravehearts had another ride-in-the-rain. Not heavy but still wet.

---

Our leader, Ken rode of northbound along the Lochside Trail to Borden St. where we headed southto Reynolds Rd.

---

South on Cumberland through Playfair Park to Kathleen St.then Salsbury Way to Derby Rd.

---

Once through Cedar Hill Golf Course it was south along Doncaster Drv. to Shakespeare St. and Oaklands Park

---

West on Haultain and though on Oregon Ave. to Pembroke to Chambers St. to Caledonia Ave.

---

South along Blanshard St. to Humboldt west to Government and south to Belleville St.

---

Once past the Legislative Buildings it was the obvious route to Fisherman's Wharf and Shoal Point Cafe

---

The 13 restless riders each made their own way back home after their coffee break.

---

Just another day in cyclists' paradise.

---

Thanks to Ken for another circuitous, interesting ride. And thanks to the Band of Brothers for showing up.

---

Bravehearts are mostly men retirees (some still work) who ride ebikes — some ride acoustic bikes. Any and all (women too) are welcome to join the group any Saturday morning at the Switch Bridge at 10am

---

Labels: bravehearts, e-bike, izip

Three Bravehearts met at the Switch Bridge at 10am to cycle to Royal Roads and all nearby points.

---

Grant was leader, Bill had binderdundat and for Bruce much of it was new.

---

Bill's main interest was the opening ceremony for the new Colwood Gateway Overpass along the Galloping Goose Trail (GGT). The ceremony was scheduled for 3pm which did not fit the Bravehearts plan so Bill conducted his own ceremony while G+B went into standby mode.

---

Ever since 2007 there was a 13km Marker beside the short, 180m section of trail between Wale Rd. and Old Island Highway. Some locals — for some unknown reason — kept removing it by physically pulling the wooden post out of the ground and discarding it. At some point, CRD stopped replacing it. It's been gone for years.

---

Vested interests and locals allegedly did not want this part of the trail rejuvenated so it would become commercial real-estate and dam the cyclists they could continue along the 'temporary' detour to join the east and west section.

---

This is why Bill made his own 13km Marker signs and attached one at each end of the new GGT overpass side-rail-posts.

---

Just a friendly reminder to CRD there was in the past om the GGT, a 13km Marker here and on the new bridge said indicator should be permanently replaced by them. 

Bravehearts are mostly men retirees (some still work) who ride ebikes — some ride acoustic bikes. Any and all (women too) are welcome to join the group any Saturday morning at the Switch Bridge at 10am

---

Labels: bravehearts, colwood, izip

 

Relive 32km Ride
One Bravehearts Easter Sunday ride.

---

Kevin invited any and all Bravehearts to join him at The Nest-1 at 11;30am

---

Bill visited his wife of some 45+yrs at the Heights-atMt.View (HMV) on Carey Rd.

---

HMV is located at the halfway point to the Nest-1.

---

After the meeting of minds, coffee, sanwiches and soup, all head back home.

---

Kevin left first and Bill, Grant and Ken (in alphbetical order) left with Ken leading.

---

With Ken leading, one knows it's going to be a circuitous route with interesting sights along the way.

---

After SB, Ken left for home and Bill & Grant carried on to Cadboro Bay were Grant lives.

---

Bill was very impresed with Grant's beautiful home high over Cadboro Bay

---

Bill's total ride distance for the day was 32km and 2hrs duration.

---

N.B. The route at the end to Grant's house was: Haro wood trail from Finnerty Rd./ Trailhead at Arbutus Cove Children's Centre onto 3908 Haro Rd/ Sinclair Rd from Hobbs School/ Hobbs Rd. in UVic Alumni connector/ Cedar Hill X Rd./ Crestview Rd,/ Vista Bay Rd. — Grant's home.
Bravehearts are mostly men retirees (some still work) who ride ebikes — some ride acoustic bikes. Any and all are welcome to join the group any Saturday morning at the Switch Bridge at 10am

---

Labels: bravehearts, cadboro, Easter, izip

Bravehearts Thetis Relive Ride
Bravehearts Saturday ride April 4th was lead by Grant and Bruce.

---

Ken was ill and couldn't ride. We missed him and hope he's feeling better soon.

---

Ten riders left Switch Bridge at 10am and stopped at Nest-by-the-lake (Nest2) about 11:30am

---

In between, we passed the 10km Marker along the Galloping Goose Trail )GGT) and turned right.

---

This brought us northwest up Watkiss Way to Thetis Lake Park's southernmost trailhead.

---

Grant and Bruce led the group through this undulating, wide, gravel trail on this sunny day.

---

What a route! Spectacular, lakeside views; but not for the faint-of-heart cyclist. LOL

---

This day's ride finished after returning to Victoria via GGT and E&N trails for some

---

Others stayed on the GGT and dispersed as need to their homes For most the ride clocked in at some 35km and for Kenny — closer to +50km!

---

Thanks to all Bravehearts for participating in a shared passion for cycling.

---

Labels: bravehearts, e&n, ggt, thetis

 

Relive This Ride Braveshearts hearts cycled 20km from SB to Shoal Point Cafe.

---

Rick, Grant, Jerry and Bill carried on southeast bound along the Seaside Cycling Trail.

---

Rick led us back to UVic and each dispersed their own way to home.

---

My total distance was some 38km.

---

We got as far northwest along the Galloping Goose to The Nest-at-the-Lake site on Six Mile Rd.

---

We did not go in but staff came out with an invitation.

---

It was another good ride but it's stll cold out there for March in Victoria.

---

Bravehearts are mostly men retirees who ride ebikes — some ride acoustic bikes (some still work).
Any and all are welcome to join the group any Saturday morning at the Switch Bridge at 10am

---

Labels: bravehearts, izip, viewroyal

 

Saturday, March 14th 2026 was a straight forward Bravehearts bike ride:

---

Northwest outbound along the Galloping Goose Trail and inboundealong the E&N Rail Trail.

---

Destination: Fantastico Bar-Deli on Humboldt Street.

---

BTW, the Fantastico chain of Victoria coffee houses is owned by our son's brother-in-law and wife.

---

That be: Ryan Taylor & wife, Kristy.

---

My route took me from home along the Shelbourne St. dedicated bike lanes to the Finlayson Rd. east/west connector dedicated bike lanes.

---

Dedicated bike lanes are those protected by physical (usually concrete) barriers and designated are those 'designated' by a 100mm wide painted line on the roadway.

---

Big difference!

---

For the first time, Bravehearts Cycling Group split up into two groups; four in one and six in the other.

---

Kevin's group hit out first and cycled a 25km loop to the Humboldt St. rendevous.

---

My ride from home and back was 33km which included visiting my wife at the Heights at Mt. View carehome (before the ride at (9;15am) on Carey Rd. (400m from SB) and inbound from Fantastico Cafe using Fort St. dedicated bike lanes to Foul Bay Rd. designated bike lanes and home past UVic at Cedar Hill X Rd.

---

Labels: bravehearts, izip, pedelecs

 

Saturday, March 7 2026, 13 Bravehearts' members rode off on a 21km odyssey northbound arriving at the UVic Cove Food Services 1:38:00 later.

---

A good time was had by all and the route set by Ken and then Darryl was one of our most interesting.

---

Galloping Goose Northward to Belgade Rd/ Burnside Rd West/Wilkinson Rd/S.Valley Dr and S.Valley Trail and through S. Valley Park.
Then NW along Hatfield Rd which after Xing Wilkinson Rd becomes Santa Rosa Ave. which makes a right turn north to become Santa Anita Ave.
Take Interurban Rd. south pasts Alan Rd and hang a right on to access trail to Camosun College Interurban Campus Loop Trail.
In Layritz Park take a right turn east along Glendale Trail to Mann Ave. to turn left onto Wilkinson Rd heading north.
Before Lindsay St. turn right onto the Royal Oak Trail and follow it through Brydon Park to W.Saainch Rd.
From here it's through the tunnel to Royal Oak Ave. the south again along Chatterton Way to Emily Carr Dr. and Maltwood Terr.
South along Dennis Dr and Panorama Crs. BTW, In early 80s Bill & Bernice lived at 878 Denford Crs.
Through Beckworth Park and Lucas Ave to Borden St south to Nicholson St. to the Lochside Trail and Blenkinsop Greenway.
Blenkinsop Greenway to Glendenning/Parkside and out onto Cedar Hill Rd then Elnido Rd to Torquay Dr. the nsouth through Lambrick Park.
Left at Laval Ave to Gordon Head Rd and left onto McKenzie Ave and the Cove Food Services at UVic and snacks (soup) and conversation. The 21km End.

---

Labels: bravehearts, cycled, izip

 

Saturday February 28 2026 was a most interesting day.

---

Bravehearts Cycling Group met at 10am at the usual Switch Bridge Station along the Galloping Goose Trail.

---

Our leader, Ken took us off east bound along the Lochside Trail but ultimately got into downtown Victoria.

---

Nine riders made to Shoal Point Coffee shop but I did not.

---

Silly me thought this day would be a good day to test the duration of the battery from my first-purchased iZip ebike.

---

Wrong!

---

The battery died along Superior St. on the way to Fisherman's Wharf.

---

Our son came in his SUV and got me and my old izip home safely.

---

Labels: bravehearts, izip

AllTrails Video
Six Bravehearts Cycling Group members headed east from the Switch Bridge along the Lochside Trail to make a left turn through Saanich Municipal Hall parking lot to old Douglas Street northbound.
After passing through Vic Derman Park we got eastbound on Caen Rd and southbound on Kincaid St. then westbound along Lily Ave.

---

South again at Rockhome Gardens through Bruce Hutchinson Park, past Rogers Elementary School and the eastern side of Vic Derman Park.
We crossed McKenzie Ave to Seven Oaks Rd.to Nelthorp St. which gave us a shortcut though Swan Lake Reserve to Greenridge Crescent.

---

Greenridge Crs. put as at the Lochside Trail Xing at Quadra St. which took us north to Blenkinsop Greenway and east along Mt. Douglas X Rd. where a south turn along Braefloot Rd. to east along Simon Rd the north again on Malton Ave.
Malton connects to Mt. Doug X again then left onto Alberg Lane and a short connector to Lynnfield Crs. North on Lynfield we made a right turn south onto Cedarglaen Rd. crossing Cedar Hill Rd. and Shelbourne St.

---

A short jog left on Shelbourne there it a bus stop at 4199 Shelboune and a connector to Torquay Dr. and a southbound path though Lambrick Park to the new Xing at Feltham Rd.
Larchwood Dr. takes us to McKenzie Ave. Xing and McKenzie lead east to the University of Victoria and Cove Food Services where six of us Bravehearts enjoyed our brake and scintillating conversation.

---

A big thanks our fearless leader, Ken who know every trail and connector in Victoria and perhaps beyond.

---

Labels: bravehearts, cycled, izip

 

Bravehearts Cycling Group Saturday, February 14 2026 was a 37km loop to Millstream Cafe.

---

The weather was a balmy 5°C under clear, sunny skies for 12 riders.

---

This was the first time a distaff member named Ann joined the group of men.

---

The Lochside Trail route was an obvious choice as Millstream Cafe is located adjacent to the Lochside Trail at the 18km location.

---

My total distance was 43km as it's a 6km ride from my home to the Switch Bridge.

---

After three (3) consecutive Saturdays of rain it was an added bonus to ride undr sunny skies.

---

Labels: bravehearts, izip, saanich

Saturday morning we had another ride-in-the-rain with Bravehearts Cycling Group.

---

I got soaked again in spite of my over $500 in rain gear.

---

Our nothernmost loop took us to Violet Ave. at Grange Rd.

---

Then south to Mina Ave. and thru Marigold Park to Cardie Crt.

---

Then Belgrave Rd. to te Galloping Goose Trail (GGT) northbound.

---

We followed the GGt to E&N Rail Trail (E&NRT) and headed back to View Royal.

---

After a turn into Portage Park we followed View Royal Ave. to Stewart Ave.

---

This put us southbound again on the Island Highway sidewalk back to Portage Park.

---

Tracking Hallowell Rd. got us to ur break at Kinder Cup Cafe.

---

Around 1pm we headed south to the E&NRT to the Johnson Street Bridge and northward on the GGT

---

At Finlayson Rd. GGT detour I bailedto take Victoria's best E/W cycling connector.

---

This GGT detour actually come out ont Jutland Rd. which once eastbound over Burnside Rd. becomes Finlayson St.

---

Before Finlayson Connector connectss to the Shelbourne St. Dedicated Bike Lanes it changes name again to North Dairy Rd.

---

The remaining five members of ourgroup carried on to the SB

---

Wow! Quite the 21km loop from the SB and 33km loop for me from home.

---

Labels: bravehearts, e&n, ggt, izip

 

Saturday morning at 10am the Bravehearts met at the Switch Bridge (SB)

---

My ride started at home at 9:20am some 6km from the SB which gave a total ride distance for the day of 30.4km

---

And did it rain! That is not a quetion it is a statement!

---

With having over $500 of rain gear on I still got soaked to the skin. Yes, brother — it poured.

---

Eleven of us Bravehearts wound up at QV restaurant near Chinatown in Victoria

---

We had a great ride outbound to Atkin Station and inbound on he E&N Rail Trail.

---

Thanks to Darryl for his fearless leadership in getting us all back togther again.

---