Sunday 10 July 2016

Our Canada Day Adventure

Happy Canada Day!

We were out the door bright and early, loaded up with our bikes and panniers, sporting our newly purchased platform bike rack on the Acura.  After a quick hello to our dear friends in Tsawassen, where we parked our car, we cycled our first 8km to the ferry, arriving with perfect timing to ride right up with only 5 minutes to wait before boarding the 8am sailing on the Queen of New Westminster.

As we rode into Sidney at around 10am, people were already claiming their spots along the parade route in anticipation of the 11:30 Canada Day Parade.  I got a good laugh out of one couple when I gave them a "queen's wave" as I cycled by.  Unfortunately our breakfast establishment of choice, the 3rd Street Cafe, was closed so we meandered down the street and happened upon a quaint little place, the Pier Bistro.  After a nice breakfast of Crabcakes Benny, we were ready to continue on our way.  Sadly, we were presented with the proverbial "rain on our parade".


We peddled, heads down, in moderate rain for about the first hour.  The clouds then closed their pores and we continued on in more arid conditions.  At one point, as we were about to overtake a trio of cyclists on the Lochside Trail, we ourselves were passed by a couple who appeared to be about 20 years our seniors.  Not to be outdone, we tried to keep pace with them but alas, their velocity proved too much for us!

After taking the long route to downtown Victoria, through UVic and along Beach Drive, we arrived at our hotel around 3pm with about 58km of biking under our belt.  There we were presented with what will from this day forward be known by me as "the best fresh baked cookies ever"!   If you ever stay at a Doubletree Hotel, be sure to ask for one at the front desk where they keep them in WARMING DRAWERS.  Yum!  After freshening up, we headed for a much deserved brew at the nearby Sticky Wicket where we watched the Blue Jays lose 2 - 1 in their longest game in history......19 innings!  



People had flocked to the grounds in front of the Parliament Buildings for Canada Day festivities and we enjoyed checking out the various artists who had set up shop there and did some people watching.  Amongst the sea of red and white were many proud Canadians celebrating our National Day and enjoying the free bands playing up on stage.  We finished off the evening with a delicious meal at Bodega, a wonderful Spanish Tapas restaurant.


Day 2 started with an exciting ride to Sooke on a double decker bus.  We got the front seats on the upper level and enjoyed the scenery the whole way.  After unloading our bikes from the front of the bus, we headed to the Sooke potholes, near the end of the Galloping Goose Trail. On this stretch we enjoyed some beautiful trestle bridges.



Once back in Sooke, we loaded up on coffee and "World Famous Lemon Bar" at Serious Coffee before our long ride back to Victoria.  The ride was fantastic along the GGT with beautiful Arbutus trees, dangling Spanish moss and peek-a-boo views of the Sooke basin with it's stunning green water caused by the blue-green algae bloom.



At our half way point, we ventured off trail into the town of Metchosin.  Here we found a clever establishment to have lunch.....My Chosen Cafe.  I had a refreshing High Trail Honey Ale and Terry got to see a bit of the Italy vs Germany soccer match while we chowed a tasty cajun burger.  I really am expanding my once boring "light lager only" beer palate.  After a total of 68km that day, we rolled into Victoria and enjoyed another nice rest stop.


That night I convinced Terry that we just HAD to see The Jungle Book in 3D on Canada's largest IMAX screen at the Royal BC Museum.  It was great!

We started Day 3 by lining up for 30 minutes for breakfast at the Blue Fox.  Seems crazy to line up for breakfast but this place was worth it!  Lots of unique things on the menu and a cool, eclectic atmosphere.  From there we pushed on to the ferry for our trip home.  Although we did not see any whales while on the ferry ride home, we had seen some in Victoria. 

 After 47km of riding and a total of 173km in the 3 day weekend, we were back at our car where we were invited in to enjoy yet another beer.
















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