The Lochside Trail, or a Lochside Tale...

January 2022

People ride bikes whatever the weather...

With the covid pandemic limiting much travel in the last year, we (my wife and I) took quite a few trips in the summer over to the island by bicycle, parking at Tsawwassen, and cycling from Swartz Bay to Victoria via the Lochside Trail. Back in November, thinking not much would be happening at new year, we figured we'd try it in winter... 

Days before, checking the weather forecast, it was getting increasingly bad with warnings of frigid temperatures (for BC) and winter storms, but how bad could it really be... The weather forecasters seem to call every weather event a storm these days, granted that's been a valid call several times recently, and the night before we were set to leave it was forecasting 5-10cm of snow overnight. We figured we'd get up in the morning and see what it was like... and we woke up to the most snow of the year... if it's too bad we'll just stick the bikes on the bus...

We left a little earlier than we normally would, which was good as I haven't seen roads like that for a long time. Even the highways were in pretty bad shape, most people taking their time in the one lane that was almost down to asphalt, and a few speeding by in the less clear lane... Still we made it to the ferry with no issues. Just remember you need your stall number to pay for parking, something you might forget when it's covered in snow... 

Below, you'll find a tale of our journey and a comparison with normal travel times, which was more for my curiosity. For the record, the trip is around 35km with about 120m of climbing. In normal conditions, it's a pretty mellow ride of around 2.5 hours. The travel times on this occasion were much higher, which you can read below along with some highlights along the way if you ever plan to ride the Lochside Trail...

Before we start, this post isn't here to complain about snow clearing, we started riding at 11.30am a few hours after the snow storm ended, we didn't expect clear paths, we had the luxury of making the choice to ride in the snow, but we were incredibly grateful for the sections that had been cleared. If you relied on this route or parts of it for transportation, you might have a different view on it.

Section 1: Marina MUP

Spot the trail

Bike needed a rest

Section Stats
Normal section time: 16:40    |    Section time in snow: 30:17    |     Difference: 13:37
Normal time to end of section: 16:40     |     Travel time to end of section in snow: 30:17    |    Total difference: 13:37

When you exit the ferry terminal you get a bit of a head start on the vehicles and ride the bike lane adjacent to the vehicle exit lanes where you'll soon be passed by a bunch of itchy drivers just dying to get moving. It's usually a relief to get to the little sign for the Lochside Trail, but on this day, we faced our first look at what we were in for. The snow ploughs had just pushed all the snow to the side blocking access to the uncleared trail. I took a moment to decide if I should start by ploughing straight through, but figured caution was a better approach this early in the day. We got off and pushed up to the overpass where you loop around to the multi-use pathway between the highway and Marina. The road section was ok but required some care, the MUP hadn't been cleared, but I was able to ride through most of it. The trick being to keep it in the easiest gear and slowly grind through it rather than power through which would just cause you to spin out. With all the micro adjustments to correct for slips in the snow it was either going to be an excellent core workout or I'd be waking up with back pains the next day. When we got to the end of the MUP, the crew were just stating to clear it, not sure if they were impressed or thought we were mad, either way, us being there demonstrated their work was worthwhile.

Section 2: First set of Bike Lanes

Almost asphalt

Section Stats
​Normal section time: 5:43    |    Section time in snow: 9:30    |     Difference: 3:47
Normal time to end of section: 22:23     |     Travel time to end of section in snow: 39:47    |    Total difference: 17:24

When you approach the end of the MUP, first watch your head on the pedestrian overpass, take a left along the shoulder (technically going the wrong way) and use the crosswalk to get across to the bike lane on the other side. Bike lanes on busy roads can be quite intimidating, these aren't too bad as vehicle volumes and speeds are usually relatively low in this section. There was limited clearing on this road which was actually a bit of a blessing. We rode where it was clearest, and drivers passed slower than usual. As there was no obvious centre line in most places, drivers would also pass wider than usual. It's amazing how some drivers can be so reluctant to cross the centre line or use the entire opposing lane when passing, it costs you nothing! At the end of this section, if you don't know your way, it can be confusing, but basically turn left onto the local street at the gas station and you'll find the next MUP section on the right.

Section 3: MUP to the Blue Bridge

Wow! They cleared it!

Few lumps and bumps to get through

Section Stats
​Normal section time: 9:31    |    Section time in snow: 14:14   |     Difference: 4:43
​Normal time to end of section: 31:54     |     Travel time to end of section in snow: 54:01     |    Total difference: 22:07

We were thinking about taking the local road instead of this section on this trip as the roads were better cleared in the previous sections, but to our surprise, this section had been cleared. This next section is super comfortable in terms of traffic stress, but can be physically uncomfortable where tree roots have pushed up the asphalt pathway. It's a multi-use pathway and there's generally always a few people on it. Watch out for traffic as you cross the channelized right turn lanes at the one intersection you have to contend with, but otherwise, even on this day, it was plain sailing. You'll turn left onto a local street just before you reach the blue bridge at the end of the MUP.

Section 4: Second Set of Bike Lanes

Not as bad as we thought...

Section Stats
​Normal section time: 23:34    |    Section time in snow: 29:41   |     Difference: 6:07
​Normal time to end of section: 55:28     |     Travel time to end of section in snow: 1:23:42     |    Total difference: 28:14

This second section of bike lane is longer than the last and I'd say a bit busier, especially along the waterfront in Sydney. We've never really had any issues on it, and again, on this occasion, even though we were riding more out into the road, the traffic volumes were lower, speeds were lower, and most drivers gave us more space. This was the bit we thought would be the biggest issue before we started, but it really wasn't that bad, and in terms of making our bicycles move in a forward direction, was one of the easiest sections to achieve this. If you're making this trip, there's the Marigold Cafe on Lochside Drive with bike parking, or there's a bunch of conveniences at Mount Newton Cross Road such as a gas station, McDonalds and Tim Hortons. At Mount Newton Cross Road you'll have to merge across into the left turn lane and then cross to the next section of MUP. You're about a third in by this point and from here on to Victoria I'd rate the level of traffic stress as much lower for the rest of your trip... subject to where you're staying in Victoria.

Section 5: Farm Lands

Bike needed another rest!

Highway snow storage!

Section Stats
​Normal section time: 33:03    |    Section time in snow: 1:27:51   |     Difference: 54:48
​Normal time to end of section: 1:28:31     |     Travel time to end of section in snow: 2:51:33     |    Total difference: 1:23:02

This is where things really started to get difficult on this trip, after the joy of seeing the MUP section cleared earlier, we were hopeful that this section would be too. The disappointment was very real when we got into the left turn lane to cross onto the MUP, no clearing, but we did kind of expect that, so time to push on. This is what we signed up for. We tried to ride as much as we could but it became pointless and we ended up getting off and pushing through the MUP section which passes through Tsawout First Nation lands and then by the Vancouver Island Model Engineers (VIME) with some small trains and other bits of machinery. After the VIME, you get onto a local road and start the section through the farm lands, this was better than the MUP as cars had compacted the snow a little, but it was still soft leading to numerous slips and corrections as our thin commuter tires pushed through the snow. I see a lot of fatter tired commuters these days which I think would have been a bit better in these conditions.

This was better, marginally!

Some people were enjoying it!

You'll cross Island View Road which can be a bit busier than most crossings, I presume as it takes you to Island View Regional Park and the beach. You can turn left to visit the park, or cross the road to stay on the Lochside Trail. Just over the road is Mitchell's Farm Market which also has an outdoor food truck operating during better weather and is a popular stopping point for people passing by on the trail. We would have welcomed some hot food after that push through the snow, but fair enough not staying open for the two people that passed that day. A new sight were the multiple ice rinks created in the frozen ponds next to the market. A bit further along you'll pass the Victoria Radio Control Modelers Society airfield for model aircraft, and a bit further along you'll pass the famous giant pigs on your left just before the first gravel section of trail. You'll pass some stables on the other side of the gravel too before getting back onto the next gravel section. Has to be said that riding in this section was close to vomit inducing as riding in peoples foot prints leads to a very very bumpy ride, combined with continual corrections to stay upright, this section was by far the most tiring and as you can see from the stats, added the most to our trip time.

Low volume local roads through the farms

Famous pigs

Field of pain!

Section 6: Local Roads

Short section of somewhat cleared MUP

Bike Lanes, available at all good little free libraries!

Arrghhh! More uncleared road!

Section Stats
​Normal section time: 15:50    |    Section time in snow: 39:34   |     Difference: 23:44
​Normal time to end of section: 1:44:21     |     Travel time to end of section in snow: 3:31:07     |    Total difference: 1:46:46

It was such a relief to be back onto the local roads at this section, it was a similar story though, with somewhat flattened snow, but still too soft in places for our tires and a case of continual corrections to stay upright. There's one of many little free libraries at the start of this section, I dropped off a spare copy of Bike Lanes that was taking up space. Might still be there... might not be... you can of course secure a copy by purchasing it - more details here. There are a few small sections of MUP between different sections of local roads, but wayfinding is fairly straight forward. You'll cross Royal Oak Drive at the end of this section where there is a bike signal and push button, before getting back onto gravel. 

Section 7: Back on the Trails

Blenkinsop Lake boardwalk

Section Stats
​Normal section time: 10:23    |    Section time in snow: 23:17   |     Difference: 12:53
​Normal time to end of section: 1:54:44    |     Travel time to end of section in snow: 3:54:24     |    Total difference: 1:59:40

In normal weather, this is a nice little section passing Blenkinsop Lake which has a great little boardwalk with pullouts to watch the ducks. It was frozen on this occasion and marginally less bumpy than the previous gravel section. Still, on this day, I was glad to see the back of it. As you come out of the gravel section, there's a pit toilet here if you need to go!

Section 8: Into Civilization

Spot the bike lane

Happy days! Bare Asphalt!

Section Stats
​Normal section time: 20:07    |    Section time in snow: 14:43   |     Difference: -5:24
​Normal time to end of section: 2:14:51    |     Travel time to end of section in snow: 4:09:07     |    Total difference: 1:54:16

As you exit the Blekinsop Lake area you'll come out into the more urban parts of Saanich, back onto a short section of MUP that was mostly cleared, then turn right onto a short section of protected bike lane... You can see it above if you look closely enough... For some reason only the section down to McKenzie Avenue had been cleared but not the rest of what is a very short section...

After you cross McKenzie Avenue, you're back onto the MUP, the next little section of which was problematic and we again pushed. After crossing Quadra Street, the MUP had been somewhat cleared, sometimes down to asphalt which was a huge relief! This section takes you passed Swan Lake then through a small canyon under Highway 17 and Carey Road then over Highway 1 via the Switch Bridge. This is technically the end of the Lochside Trail, and you transition onto the Galloping Goose which takes you into Victoria. You can also turn right at the Goose which will take you towards the west shore communities. We were actually quicker here on this occasion, I think in the summer, we stopped at Uptown shopping centre which is half big box store and half shopping street.  You can access it by turning left just prior to the Switch Bridge, and there are shops, places to eat, and washrooms. They've done a good job of swapping parking out for pedestrian space on the shopping street during the pandemic. I wonder if they'll keep it like that after.  

Section 9: Galloping Goose

Section Stats
​Normal section time: 9:11    |    Section time in snow: 12:16   |     Difference: 3:05
​Normal time to end of section: 2:24:02     |     Travel time to end of section in snow: 4:21:23     |    Total difference: 1:57:21

The Goose was reasonably clear, but it was getting late and we were getting cold and it seems I didn't take any photos in this section. You'll pass over the wooden Selkirk Trestle bridge which is a bumpy ride with nice views over the water. This terminates at Harbour Road in Victoria where the bike counter told us we were number 53 and 54 that day.

Section 10: Big City Cycle Tracks

Harbour Road Bi-directional Protected bike Lane

Section Stats
​Normal section time: 8:50    |    Section time in snow: 12:36   |     Difference: 3:46
​Normal time to end of section: 2:32:52     |     Travel time to end of section in snow: 4:33:59     |    Total difference: 2:01:07

We were so glad to get to this point as it kind of marks your arrival into Victoria. Harbour Road starts with a nice downhill, it's also one of my projects and you can read more about it here. Harbour Road was clear, we freewheeled down there, pedalled up to the Johnson Street Bridge on the MUP option - you can also take the bike lanes - and down to the Pandora/Wharf intersection. Not sure why we were slower here as the bike lanes were all clear and we were pretty cold by this point so not hanging around. Still we arrived at our destination two hours later than we normally would, a bit cold, a bit tired, and not too interested in looking at the bike until the ride home... We stayed at the Parkside Hotel and Spa, which might sound fancy, but really, it's a well priced hotel with nice rooms, some with full kitchens, secure bike parking, a good cancelation policy, and is accessible via protected on wharf Street and Humboldt Street and the advisory bike lanes on Humboldt Street. Below are a few images from Wharf Street between Pandora and Humboldt taken a day later as we walked around - I took a more detailed look at Wharf previously if you're interested. 

Heading home after three nights, would it all be clear? It was better for sure, but still, there were many sections that hadn't been cleared. It took us 3 hours and 15 minutes to get back to the ferry. We'd normally have a lazy morning, check out at 11, and take our time on the way home, but we left around 10am as the weather was supposed to be better earlier and there was potential for cancelations. Luckily, we stopped to check the ferry sailings with around a third to go, and found all but the 2pm sailing had been cancelled. We didn't stop at all for the last third of the ride back... We made it with about 15 minutes to spare before the ferry started boarding and had a somewhat bumpy ride back.

One of the advantages of taking the bike on the ferry is that you're effectively a walk on, so not reliant on space on the car deck and can squeeze in at the last minute. If you've never taken a bike on the ferry, they'll direct you down to an area like that shown below, where you'll board on Deck 2 with the larger vehicles, there's usually a bike rack there, but if you go in the summer it can get busy and you might just have to stash your bike on the side somewhere...

Thanks for reading and Happy New Year!

Made it!