Comox to Squamish

 Let's Go Baby!

(remember, you can click on photos to enlarge them)

Howe Sound from Stawamish Chief

Comox to Squamish (via Lund - and beyond)

The Ferry to Powell River

A walk on the shore

We'd been told that we must be at the ferry terminal at Little River just north of Comox at least half an hour before sailing if we wanted to ensure our reserved spot. Our preference had been to catch an earlier ferry, but they were both booked out so we had to settle for the 3:15 pm ferry and we definitely weren't going to miss that. Consequently we arrived - like a number of others - more than an hour ahead of time. As you can see from the photo above and those below, it wasn't a hardship waiting to embark.

Our rental car, bikes on top, ferry int the background

To raise the anticipation level of travelling down the Sunshine Coast, a sign has been erected at the entrance to the parking area:

Sunshine Coast? Di's ready with her sunnies in situ

I'd started to wonder if the Coast Range still existed as I hadn't caught a glimpse the whole time we were in Comox. Today revealed them in all their splendour.

Looking across at the Coast Range

There has been some interest in our lightweight, low profile, non-mechanically attached bike ride, so I thought I'd supply a closeup of what it looks like. We had a test run when Volkswagen Australia provided a vehicle for us while they replaced the transmission on our Golf AllTrack. So far we've been delighted with the way it works.

Bike rack closeup

Our reservation and early arrival meant that we were situated right near the front of the ship:

How's that for postioning!

I persuaded Di that it might be nice to head north of the ferry for a scenic drive to the end of Highway 101 at Lund. It's a delightful little resort with a marina that's very busy during the peak holiday season:

Welcome to Lund: the "Gateway to Desolation Sound"

The marina at Lund

I think the dock on the left might be retired!

Scrutinising an overview map of the area I'd noticed a place called "Bliss Landing". What an idyllic-sounding place thought I, so I persuaded Di it might be interesting to head up that way. I'd even mapped it out on RidewithGPS, which indicated about half of the 11 kilometres was gravel, the rest paved. That was a lie, and the road had some very "interesting" bits which raised the temperature in the car somewhat. Enough said, except that the marriage survived - just!

Back in Powell River rather later than we thought, it was time for refreshment:

Dinner at the excellent Costa Del Sol latin cafe in Powell River, some shopping for breakfast and we were ready to hit the sack in preparation for our trip down the Sunshine Coast to Langdale, the ferry across to Horseshoe Bay and the drive up to Squamish the next day.

Di's Ride: Powell River to Saltery Bay

Powell River to Saltery Bay

As you can see, Di's route hugged the coast for a good part of the way, especially early. 

A very cyclist-friendly route

And here's Di taking advantage:

Di kicks off our cycling adventure down the Sunshine Coast

A beautiful sign just past the first; the eagle floats out in front of the scene

Steaming along in the sunshine, but the air is still quite cool

While waiting at the bridge over the Lois River I had a look over the edge to spot a wonderful-looking swimming hole:

Swimming hole on the Lois River

When Di came along ...

Di crossing the Lois River Bridge

... I persuaded her to stop and enjoy the view. Here's a little video I shot that better reveals the enchantment below (look closely and you'll see swallows flitting about) ... 

I got to the Saltery Bay ferry terminal just before Di, who did a great ride as we the terrain was a bit hillier than we'd done for a while. After putting her bike on the top of the car, we got on the ferry which was only about half full. So far, so goood!

The ferry ride was an absolute joy, with clear skies and calm conditions. Here's another video to illustrate:

Doug's Ride: Earls Cove to Langdale

Saltery Bay to Earls Cove

Di loved her ride, and I was excited to get on the bike and start pedalling too! Here's a photo Di took looking back down at the ferry as I was getting myself and my bike ready to roll ...

A last look back at the Earls Cove ferry

My ride was also very beautiful. Not as close early for so much of the route as Di's, but I did ride past a few small lakes ...

My route was a bit hilly, more so because I'd forgotten about the turnoff to Halfmoon Bay about halfway and the ride along the coast. Not having alerted Di, when I saw the turnoff pop up on my GPS I thought I better keep going as she would be wondering where I'd got to when she continued on the Sunshine Coast Highway. None of the hills were very big but there wasn't a lot of flat ground:

Earls Cove to Langdale route profile

Di got a few photos of me along the way, but none of them were very flattering as I hunched over the bars struggling with the ups. This one though isn't too bad ...

Okay okay. Another hill. 

There was an occasional glimpse of the sea when I got up a bit ...

An arm of the sea through trees

Traffic had started to build up a bit along the highway, which wasn't a problem as there was a good shoulder the whole way. But it was nice to detour off onto Lower Road - which took me through nice forest for seven and a half kilometres and gave almost total respite from vehicular traffic. Predictably, there were quite a few cyclists pedalling along this route.  

I rejoined the highway for another two and a half kilometres through a built up area before veering away and making the thrilling plunge back down to the sea at Gibsons. 

A digression (which I admit to being prone to 😉): some readers might remember the classic comedy TV series "The Beachcombers", which was filmed on location in Gibsons and aired for 19 years, one of the longest running shows in Canadian television history. It was filmed on location in Gibsons.

Here's a short blast from the past for those, like me, who remember it fondly:

From Gibsons is was once again very nice pedalling along the water's edge away from traffic right to the ferry terminal at Langdale.

Back alongside the sea, shortly before arriving at Langdale

There was little traffic so one of the queuing bays at the ferry terminal was closed, making a convenient spot for us to pull over and get my bike on the car.

The ferry ride from Langdale across to Horseshoe Bay is quite beautiful ...

Coast Range panorama

Just love the way these mountains rise out of the sea

We had a smooth ride up the Sea to Sky Highway as far as Squamish, arriving at the Howe Sound Inn and Brewery by about five pm.

Arriving at the Howe Sound Inn, Mount Garibaldi gleaming in the background

The Three Peaks of Stawamus Chief with Mike and Ruth

In preparing for this trip we thought it would be great if we could catch up with a few folks from Strava with whom we communicate. Ruth and Mike Kimber, who live in Mission, which is a long way east of here are very active and seemingly up for anything. We were delighted that they were keen to make the two hour drive from their home to join us for a hike on the landmark Stawamus Chief, which towers over Squamish. (Dianne and I have spent many weeks climbing on the cliffs of the Chief, but that's another story, to which I will not digress.) 

Here's a bunch of photos - more or less in order - which I think can speak for themselves:

Relaxing for a chat and a snack on one of the lovely granite slabs

More slabs, Howe Sound and the Sea to Sky Highway below

The Majestic Howe Sound

Squamish: harbour detail

Squamish at the head of Howe Sound

I will introduce the following photo. While we were sitting atop the first peak we, along with the rest of as that spot, spotted a trio of BASE jumpers on top of Second Peak. This photo shows the second jumper in mid air while the third jumper waits his turn. More on them at the end of this section of the post.

Wing-suited BASE jumpers atop the second peak

Looking back at First Peak

The roots in front of me run from the tree behind

Mount Garibaldi from the Second Peak

On the Third Peak

In one of the gullies on the way back

Once up, we had to come back down. It was the steepest ascent Dianne and I had done for quite a while. Ruth was offering ibuprofen for the journey back.  I - and my knees - gratefully accepted. Remarkably, the knees were not sore at the bottom. (The thighs were another matter.)

Mike and Ruth joined us for a feed and refreshing ales at the award-winning Howe Sound Brewery, conveniently located just downstairs from where Dianne and I are lodging. A great finish to a memorable day.

And here's a fitting finale for the report of our trip up the Chief with Mike and Ruth: while atop the First Peak Di did shoot a short video of the third BASE jumper taking off:

Taking it Easy

Both the DB's woke up with sore thighs today. 🤨 Regrettably, we haven't been doing so much up and down walking these days. The next few days might be a little painful (we've already made some adjustments to our plans for tomorrow) but we wouldn't have changed yesterday for quits. It was fantastic to meet Mike and Ruth and spend the day being active with them in a beautiful place. 

After breakfast in our room, the first thing on the agenda was to get some laundry done. Actually, that turned out to be the second thing on the agenda because the local laundromat wasn't opening until 10 a.m. So we just had to go have a second breakfast  just near where we're staying of coffee and a cinnamon bun. 

Here's a photo taken especially for John Uhlrichsen: 

Coffee and CINNAMON BUNS while looking at the main face of the Chief

Just up the road from where we're staying there's a pretty impressive bike shop, and outside was parked a Santa Cruz trailer, no doubt packed with high end mountain bikes ...

Wouldn't mind a peak inside ...

It's been a pretty lazy day, trying to gently walk out some the stiffness in our legs so that we can do a bit of pedalling tomorrow. We found a reasonably priced sushi place at the other end of town and poked around in the Valhalla Pure store we used to visit back in the day when we were spending time here climbing. We went into the Climb On store and flicked through the Squamish Select guidebook to review a couple of the nicer routes we've climbed. Gotta love a bit of nostalgia. Dianne has had a long afternoon nap while I did a bit of blogging. We've just had dinner. Snacks in our room with a beverage each. 

One of three still waiting ...

Di's had one, I've had one, and there's one left for later, which I'm looking forward to, perhaps whilst watching the Battle of Alberta on HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA. ❤️!!! Go Connor McDavid - the world's best hockey player - and co is all I can say. Always good to watch a superstar perform, whatever sport they're in. Tomorrow another new phase of our journey begins. I'll report again when we reach Penticton.