The Island - Part 1 - Victoria by Margus

52 Comments

+ 11

OlSkoolJake (Mar 21, 2011 at 10:27)

Arrgh, the secret is out!! There is tons to ride here on the Island (dh, freeride, all-mtn, DJ's & XC). One of the best DH trails in BC is in Port Alice on the Northern tip. There is nothing that even comes close to it around the South coast. Plus it not as crowded here, you don't have to wait for others to clear the trail before you ride. Also there is never any line-up's at Mt. Washington, unlike Whistler where you spend more time sitting and waiting than you do riding. Oh well I guess it was only a matter of time until the rest of you found out about our little beautiful island.

guywhowantsabike (Mar 21, 2011 at 15:39)

cumberland dh is better than port alice in my opinion

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brule Mod Plus (Mar 21, 2011 at 9:07)

Rad Margus, just rad! I try to hit up the island twice a year on the AM bike, but have never made it south of Nanaimo to ride as all the mid island stuff is so great that I never want to leave it. Looking forward to part two.

todtay (Mar 21, 2011 at 9:55)

let me guess.. darn ferry prices keep you from going more? went up again last week Frown

heavymetal45 (Mar 21, 2011 at 10:48)

The best riding on this Island is Mt.Prevost in drunkin duncan

brule Mod Plus (Mar 21, 2011 at 11:31)

While ferry prices do suck, it's simply the fact of finding the time to come over for a 3 day weekend that I battle with the most. Love it there though.

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bondomonga (Mar 21, 2011 at 10:39)

Strong up-hiller make VERY strong downhiller....some pretty fast DH guys are fit because of this.

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bigheaddoug (Mar 21, 2011 at 17:06)

Awesome article and sweet shots!! I can't wait to abandon this lousy prairie winter and head for the island for the Cumberland DH and a weeks worth of riding around the Naniamo and Lake Cowichan area.

What are the definite, not to be missed trails? DH and AM.

Cheers

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cooldudethatate (Mar 21, 2011 at 0:16)

Before anyone notices its actually la nina right now not el nino!

w-e-w (Mar 21, 2011 at 0:25)

ha.. good catch!

guywhowantsabike (Mar 21, 2011 at 15:40)

too bad it says el nina, not el nino

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kevin267 (Mar 21, 2011 at 2:50)

"Island's capital", are we our own province now?!? sweet

heavymetal45 (Mar 21, 2011 at 8:54)

lol

bunk (Mar 21, 2011 at 12:39)

The Peoples Republic of Vancouver Island

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hardtailfreerider93 (Mar 21, 2011 at 0:10)

sweet, cool to see something in victoria

+ 12

Waldon83 (Mar 21, 2011 at 3:37)

I would sell my Grandfather to move to the Island. But the government had other plans and made me move back to Australia.

Waldon walks away cussing

ritchierich (Mar 21, 2011 at 6:02)

These photos are amazing. It makes it look like a surreal place.

Ridingwhatican (Mar 21, 2011 at 6:03)

that's quite freaking beautiful.

stompeinator (Mar 21, 2011 at 8:30)

So many potential pods here

Unhallowed (Mar 21, 2011 at 9:08) (Below Threshold) show comment

Goddamn Island... soo much hiking.
It's called roads, guys. Build some.

Jokes. But holy crap there's a lot of hiking up.

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bluezac17 (Mar 21, 2011 at 13:15)

ghaaa dont let the secret out Razz

im super stoaked to see your guys part on duncan, make sure to hit up tzhoulhalem, some of the nicest FR around

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Lorien (Mar 21, 2011 at 17:04)

It was great meeting you guys, I'm sorry I was so sick, would love to have joined you in the Sooke Hills.
Greatly looking forward to the next installment.
Margus, your 'dark look' is most excellent!

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taletotell (Mar 21, 2011 at 7:11)

I'd love to take a little time and xc it there. Heck, I'd pedal anywhere just to get out and ride right now.

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Branman (Mar 21, 2011 at 22:33)

Haha, if you live in Victoria finding good jumps is hard. No parks unless you build you own, which the city wrecks. Good trails though!

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xenophile (Mar 21, 2011 at 2:03)

pretty sure it was El Nina this year.

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KennyKillsIt (Mar 21, 2011 at 14:38)

These shots are so rich they mess with my mind

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mrandy (Mar 21, 2011 at 15:06)

Margus, BRILIANT photos! My favourite is the 3rd one.

---------------------------
www.obrench.com

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dcent007 (Mar 21, 2011 at 12:00)

Amazing photos. They makes the dump look epic.

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tire Plus (Mar 21, 2011 at 8:05)

you guys have to come up to Duncan and ride Mt. Tzouhalem

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Luke-VTT (Mar 21, 2011 at 8:39)

Oh my god! Amazing photography, amazing landscape, trails look so great - and it's so far away from here...

DAMZ (Mar 21, 2011 at 11:14)

yupp, exaxtly same problem here.... great photos, awesome ride... "cry"

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Crockett (Mar 21, 2011 at 5:39)

Great read, great pic's.

Great Island!

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v1k1n9 (Mar 21, 2011 at 13:55)

i see a lot of PODs here

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MalcolmM (Mar 21, 2011 at 17:59)

Sweet write up, all those pictures were perfect!

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lovemyride (Mar 23, 2011 at 11:29)

looks like some "bubble wrap" pictures in there from Hartland!!!

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huddersfieldfreerider (Mar 21, 2011 at 9:26)

Im more familiar with 'the island part 1' being a song by pendulum but definatly some sweet pictures there!

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DownhillDomination (Mar 21, 2011 at 4:07)

This is the proper Island - Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hszZmFRPqx8

foosfreak99 (Mar 21, 2011 at 4:16)

dude that chic was hot in that video. song sucked ass

zorba73 (Mar 21, 2011 at 20:20)

I agree.^^ But why not just post something from the B.C tourism board. At least their music is half decent.

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bigheaddoug (Mar 21, 2011 at 17:20)

Deleted/double post

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p-town (Mar 21, 2011 at 18:04)

Stunning photos!

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poundsand (Mar 21, 2011 at 0:56)

home sweet home.. the riding sucks though dont kid yourself

poundsand (Mar 21, 2011 at 1:00)

unless your into xc

DJDefault (Mar 21, 2011 at 1:22) (Below Threshold) show comment

Does not even come close to riding on the Shore but its still better then not riding at all.

Mad-Duck Plus (Mar 21, 2011 at 9:48)

Yup only xc here...you won't see a single downhiller or freerider come from the island...

Come on guys, go explore. The island is loaded with all kinds of amazing riding, from xc, to old and new school freeride lines and plenty of DH (Even around Victoria).

Great article! Those photos really capture the atmosphere of riding here in the winter. Can't wait for your Sooke edition. Harbourview has some of the best singletrack I've ridden and Broom is always a good time. Looking forward to what trails you guys ride in your upcoming articles!

todtay (Mar 21, 2011 at 9:53)

poundsand, you have to ride up to go down.

pedalhound (Mar 21, 2011 at 10:16)

The Island is awesome, especially if you are not to whiny to earn your turns. Razz

poundsand (Mar 21, 2011 at 13:00)

I do a lot of pushing to ride these rocky trails. Can't wait for my Washington to open so I can be laxy and use the lifts

poundsand (Mar 21, 2011 at 13:02)

Harbourview is way better than the dump though

AlexPT1976 (Mar 21, 2011 at 20:18)

Been to Harbourview. I wanted it so bad to be another Hartland but it doesn't deliver. Been 3 times now. I was told though that you might have to go up past the, now broken down, bridge to come up and around (past a big boulder or something??) then down, for a wicked run. It could be good, I want it to be good but the fact is it is not as good as Hartland. What we did was to climb all the way up (lung buster - it's awesome!!), go up towards FM radio, up to the top. But then you just come back down although you can ride the sweet trails or the right hand side of the fire road which is pretty sick. Just kinda feels unsatisfying somehow.

Also there is a great trail map of most of the trails on the island. http://www.pursuitofsingletrack.com/

Lorien (Mar 22, 2011 at 13:11)

give it time, friend.

Harbourview is about to become the only other OFFICIALLY LEGITIMATE, fully endorsed, regionally managed mountain bike park on the South Island.

I don't know how long you've been in the scene, but Hartland as you know it didn't magically form all those trails all by itself- it's taken over ten years of blood, sweat and tears of countless hours of volunteer labour, though SIMBS, to bring those trails to us all.

The Sooke Bike Club, www.sookebikeclub.com, will be working with SIMBS and the CRD to turn Harbourview into a shining example for legit MTB everywhere, just mark my words; when that place opens up, the trails will be crankin fast and furious!

AlexPT1976 (Apr 16, 2011 at 17:36)

Appreciate your response. Been here 6 years. I hear you and I hope it does. The last ride I had was ok it just doesn't flow up there is all. Not sure if I am missing anything by not being able to go over that bridge that is down. The one that leads to the lakes.
There's a trail just a bit before said bridge that, if it was clear, I bet would give us a great loop.

Maybe I can meet up with you for a ride?

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