GO RIDING: Intro to Bikepacking

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure! Our first Intro to Bikepacking event, led by Clover June and Ruby Wood on July 16th - 17th. Sponsored by: MEC with goodies from HMPL, C&L Cycle!

Event Summary:

Join us for an exciting Introduction to Overnight Bikepacking, a fun adventure specifically for beginners! This two-day, one-night trip will take us from MEC in Victoria to the scenic Sooke Potholes Campground, covering 55km one-way on mostly flat, straight bike paths. Get ready to challenge yourself, enjoy beautiful scenery, and experience the thrill of a bikepacking trip in a small intimate group setting.

Dates: Wednesday July 16th - Thursday July 17th

Location: Victoria MEC to Sooke Potholes

Meet time: 9am at Victoria MEC
Led by: Clover June & Ruby Wood

Cost: $300

What to Expect:

Pre-Trip Demo: Before we hit the road, join us at MEC Victoria for a practical demo covering essential skills like flat tire changes and on-the-go quick fixes. We will also go over packing essentials and hand out goodies then!
Distance: We'll cover 55km one-way (110km return) on a route primarily made of dedicated bike paths, with short sections on roads in Langford and near our stops.
Terrain: The route is mainly flat and straight, making it an ideal "easy" ride for those new to bikepacking. Still long enough to be a challenge.

This is a no-drop ride! We're all a team :)

Itinerary:

Day 1:

Victoria to Sooke Potholes Campground
Our adventure begins at MEC Victoria. After our demo and final preparations, we'll aim to depart by 10:00 - 10:30am ish.

1st stop: Taylor Beach for lunch and swim (guests bring their own food)

2nd stop: Sooke: Bike Shack, Seek n Surf, Brewery for a cold one and a local stop before the last 12KM.

3rd stop: Arrival at Camp: We'll aim to arrive at Sooke Potholes Campground between 4:00 - 5:00pm ish, giving us plenty of time to settle in.

(we will stay together as a group so of course if we have to stop more we will)

Day 2:

After a relaxed morning, we'll depart camp before 11:00am, allowing for breakfast and packing up.

Midway stop: My Chosen Cafe in Metchosin. Small ride on the road into town. Taylor beach is close by if we want a swim.

Tacofino Aprés! We will end our ride at Tacofino in Victoria with meals provided :)

*Guests can go at their own pace if they need to go back to Victoria they can zoom back on the Goose! Otherwise we will plan to be back in Victoria before 5pm.*

What's included:

1 x custom Natural Freedom x HMPL front bike bag
1 x MEC saddle bag
1 x MEC bar bag and tool kit
C&L Cycle socks, straps and water bottles
We will also have a tasty meal provided by our friends at Tacofino!

Next Steps:

After signing up, you'll fill out a Google form to help with planning. This event is open to women and non-binary folks, and spots are very limited. We are beyond excited for this adventure!