25.7 miles, 1095’ climbing
Our hotel in Malahat was on a busy highway with fast traffic, so we looked for a quiet road to return to our route, and we thought we found a good candidate. It should be a short, easy day of riding into Victoria.
When we turned off for the forest road to go back to our track, two large dogs ran out into the street, barking, a pit bull and a Rhodesian ridgeback with no collars. We stopped and put our bikes between ourselves and them, hard to tell if they might actually bite. A woman came out and started yelling at the dogs (they ignored her) followed by a smiling guy who looked like Charles Manson. They said the road was private and told us to leave which we did immediately. It was not a fun start.
The highway ride to Langford was loud with traffic that was sometimes close, but it went pretty quickly. We passed a coffee house near a bike pump-it track as we rejoined our route. There were lots of cyclists including small kids on the pump-it track, one on a balance bike (cute), breakfast and coffee were good.
From Langford, we got on a bike path that took us all the way into Victoria. We passed huge hotels and boats along the shore line, circled to Mile Zero Beach (photo op), and pedaled to the top of Beacon Hill, the official start of the Great Northern Bikepacking Route which we’ve been partially riding in reverse.
We had a lazy day in the touristy part of Victoria. Tomorrow we catch a ferry back into the US. It will be about 3 more days back to Bellingham.
Scary about the dogs and Charles Manson. But you made it. You’ve done well, had adventures and must have mixed feelings about nearing the end of your trip but well-done! Loved seeing your pics. Safe journey as you wind down. Xo
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