VI Spine Trail to Port Alberni

[schouten]

I've been spending evenings pouring over maps again (always dangerous) and it looks like the VI Spine Trail is rideable between Cowichan Lake and Port Alberni!! Maps can be found here:

https://vi-trail.ca/map/

This could be tackled as multi-day bikepacking adventure (2 nights, 3 days) as follows:

1) Victoria to Cowichan Lake via Great Trail - stay in Cowichan Lake
2) Cowichan Lake to Port Alberni via VI Spine Trail - stay in Port Alberni or push to Nanaimo
3) Port Alberni/Nanaimo to Victoria via Great Trail and Mill Bay Ferry

I'm concerned about the rideability of the trail to Port Alberni but it is described as "Single Track" at its worst (see description with map) and 2 spots require wading through a river (epic!!). I've emailed the people maintaining the vispine website to clarify the appropriateness of cycling this section but not heard back yet. Has anybody hiked/ridden this section? There is a logging road alternative to this section too. (UPDATE: just read this post, so perhaps the logging road is the only way through)

I still have the after taste of the Olympic Adventure Trail in my mouth and don't want to let the American trail have all the fun.

Just putting this out early to gauge interest. I don't have a time in mind. A long weekend in late summer early fall might work. Or even for another year. But it could be amazing!!!

Ron

[Greg F]

Check out this post for someone (TedHobby on the forum) who’s been up to Nitinat. It looks to be an epic one for sure! Unlikely to join ya, but we’ll be there in spirit!

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=7196&p=32530&hilit=Nitinat#p32530

[JTyre]

Very interesting, Ron.

I probably wouldn't be overly interested in long stretches of dusty gravel or sleeping on the ground. However, I could imagine riding up to Lake Cowichan, and then drinking whisky, playing billiards, and getting into a bar fight at the Riverside Inn. Soft bed and then ride home the next morning.

JT

p.s. I am going to post something on a Fall ride back to Olympic Adventure Trail. Seems that quite a number of people are interested in an over-nighter there.

[schouten]

Greg, thanks fo sharing Ted's experience. Good to know it is doable.

I am a little less enthusiastic now that I know the logging road is the only option to get to Port Alberni. If the Tuck Trail and Runners Trail were cyclable it would make an amazing route.

JT - that sounds like my kinda camping! That could make a good option when the Olympic Peninsula becomes tricky due to a poor ferry schedule.