Goldstrem Heights?

[Stéphane Tran]

Anyone interested in doing a Goldstream Heights ride this Saturday August 10th? I was thinking of leaving at 6am at the latest, riding up the Malahat and returning via the Brentwood ferry. This would be a great tune-up for Hurricane Ridge the following weekend.

[Rolf]

What would be the estimated return time, Stéphane? I don't know how long it takes to get up there and down...

Are you thinking the 9:15 Mill Bay departure for an arrival home just before 11?

[John D]

Sounds like a good plan Stéphane, especially if you promise to wait for me at the top of all the climbs (i.e as per usual).

Rolf - assuming we leave at 6:00am and follow the usual route, we roll south through Shawnigan village right about 8:00am. Given that that's before the long climb out of Shawnigan, and before the actual Goldstream Heights section, making the 9:15 Mill Bay ferry seems unlikely.

J.

[Stéphane Tran]

Hi,
I was thinking the 10:25 ferry from Mill Bay to be home before noon. However, I would be open to an earlier departure from Victoria (5am?) if a critical mass of people want to catch the 9:15am ferry.

[John D]

The usual route (up/down the Malahat) gets us back around 11:30. So, taking the 10:25 ferry and still getting back by noon would be acceptable to me.

I could do a 5:00am departure, but would prefer not to. It would also mean riding the 1st hour in "pre-dawn" conditions (i.e. we'll need lights).

J.

Hi,
I was thinking the 10:25 ferry from Mill Bay to be home before noon. However, I would be open to an earlier departure from Victoria (5am?) if a critical mass of people want to catch the 9:15am ferry.

[barton bourassa]

Saddle time for me the last couple times was 3:45 taking the Malahat there and back. Has anyone been up that way lately? Is the road back still in bad shape?

[Stéphane Tran]

Has anyone been up that way lately? Is the road back still in bad shape?

I asked Peter about that and he said the road is not bad but there is a fair amount of traffic.

[Josh.E]

I rode over the malahat yesterday and drove back on it today. It's all back together aside from a couple sections on the way up where the shoulder line isn't painted yet.

[Stéphane Tran]

Meet at 5:30am at the Starbucks on Alpha and Douglas. Roll out at 5:45. That should be early enough to catch the 9:15 Mill Bay ferry, and we won't be riding the Malahat in the dark.

[Rolf]

I'd really like to make this but I have to be back for 10:00 at the latest. I welcome the 5:30 meet-up (sunrise is at 5:59).

I may elect to turn left at the south entrance to Shawnigan Lake Rd. on the way up the Malahat and forego the trip over and round back Shawnigan Lake. I may then return to Fairfield via some silliness in the Highlands (possibly Finlayson Arm Rd.?) All in the interest of staying closer to home and allowing for unforeseen delays.

[esilnarson]

I will be there. See you at 5:30ish

[Rolf]

Gee Brian, you were awfully quiet all ride. I hope you didn't crash on your way to the meet-up. It was pretty slick in the dark 5:30 drizzle.

Six of us set off for the Malahat just before 6. Stéphane, Pete L., and Barton set pace as things went up and Kate, John and I slogged along behind. Apart from a puncture at speed just after the new Leigh Rd. overpass, we enjoyed a safe trip to the top of Goldstream Heights. The Malahat is generally clear of all construction and the new asphalt shoulders are quiet and smooth, if a bit gravelly. They've put in much more gentle rumble strips that are harder to see but less jarring on the bike.

After finally paperboy-ing those crazy grades, I'm so very grateful I skipped the trip to the top back at Easter. There would have been much mental scarring that day, for sure.

I went home solo through Langford when the group headed to Shawnigan. A four-egg, seven-rasher breakfast followed soon after soaking the legs! I think some came back over the Hat and some took the ferry.

Thanks, guys, for helping me achieve one of my riding goals for 2013.

(The ride profile makes me think of Space Invaders.)

[John D]

Glad to hear you made it home OK Rolf.

I had brekkie at the coffee shop in Shawnigan - you simply have to try their huevos ranchereos breakfast cup (a danish pastry filled and baked with cheese, chilli sauce, eggs and refried beans)! Michaella met me there and we rode a loop around the lake and went for a swim before picking up her son from a sleepover in Shawnigan.

Thanks for towing me up the 'Hat, eh?

J.