Leigh’s Trans Canada Trail: How Bikepacking the Trail Supports Vancouver Island Communities
Written by Leigh McAdam
Exploring a new place by bike is one of my favourite ways to travel. Every year I plan a self-supported bikepacking trip carrying all the gear I need. This year a spring trip to Vancouver Island was my goal. It’s particularly well suited to bike travel thanks to the Trans Canada Trail, which links ferries and small towns across southeastern Vancouver Island. After poring over the Trans Canada Trail map online, I designed a four-day bike ride starting and ending in Victoria. Along the way, I could see firsthand how cycle tourism supports local economies, from bike shop rentals, to restaurants, B&Bs and ferry services.
What makes cycle tourists valuable to local economies?
As a bikepacker, I usually cover between 40 and 70 kilometres a day, working up an appetite as I go. Cyclists stop often for snacks, coffee, meals, cold drinks — and even bike repairs. We do a great job of spending money many times a day across multiple small communities rather than one single destination because of the shorter daily distances we travel. While some people camp and bike, I prefer to support locally owned B&Bs. I find the hosts are knowledgeable about the area, curious about what I’m doing, and often go above and beyond in helping us. On our Vancouver Island bike trip, we enjoyed restaurants and overnights that were connected by the Trans Canada Trail.
Local businesses along the Vancouver Island route
Victoria
After flying from Calgary into Victoria, we took an Uber to Cycle BC downtown, picked up our rental bikes, and rolled straight from the shop onto the Galloping Goose Regional Trail towards Langford. By sheer luck, we stopped at Tacofino, a massively popular restaurant that started in Tofino, for an amazing lunch.
Tacofino lunch, photo credit: Leigh McAdam
Shawnigan Lake
After a tough climb on the Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Trail and a descent in snow, we ended the first day’s bike ride at Shawnigan Lake B&B. Not only did our host help with drying our soaked clothing, but they kindly picked up Thai food we’d ordered. Where else would you get service like that?
Shawnigan Lake B&B, photo credit: Leigh McAdam
Cowichan Valley Region
The Trans Canada Trail passes through several communities in the Cowichan Valley region. After a visit to the Historic Kinsol Trestle, we enjoyed lunch at the Glenora Store & Café before continuing to Duncan. Without the nearby Trans Canada Trail, it’s easy to miss these small gems. The day ended at The Cottage & the Castle, a B&B in Chemainus that was within walking distance of many locally owned restaurants — and the murals the town is known for. Thanks to the trail infrastructure, we spent our money in a small community, and not a major tourism hub.
Sidney
We biked the Trans Canada Trail from Chemainus to the cute town of Ladysmith, easily missed if you’re driving between Nanaimo and Victoria but worth a wander and a coffee break. After two back-to-back BC Ferry rides, we finished the day in Sidney by biking the Lochside Trail, just off the Trans Canada Trail, connecting to the Galloping Goose. Our B&B — The Latch Inn — was easily accessible from the trail, and we could walk to the local yacht club for dinner.
The Trans Canada Trail as economic infrastructure
It’s my view that the Trans Canada Trail is not simply a recreational amenity but important infrastructure that safely links rural communities. The well-signed, well-maintained trails we experienced help support bike-friendly accommodations, cafés and restaurants along the way.
Over four days, we biked the Galloping Goose, Cowichan Valley, and Lochside trails — routes popular with both locals and visitors alike. Although we occasionally left the Trans Canada Trail to complete the loop, some of the best riding was on these scenic sections. Importantly, the Trail helps disperse tourism dollars to smaller communities and independent businesses rather than concentrating them only in larger centres like Victoria or Nanaimo.
The Glenora Store & Café is a great place for lunch, photo credit: Leigh McAdam
How bikepackers travel benefits communities
As a bikepacker, I get approached a lot by random people. They’re curious about where my husband and I are going with fully loaded bikes. I think there’s a real human connection that happens naturally when you travel by bike. On several occasions when we stopped to look at the map on our phone, people rolled down their windows to ask if we needed directions. When I got a flat tire, three people stopped to help. It was heartwarming to experience the social connection of cycle tourism alongside the economic value.
Final thoughts
Cycle tourism is positive, sustainable, community-oriented travel. Vancouver Island is a fine example of how trails, local businesses, and small towns can collaborate to create unforgettable travel experiences.
About Trans Canada Trail
Stretching nearly 30,000 kilometres across every province and territory, the Trans Canada Trail is cared for locally by trail and community groups. As a charity, Trans Canada Trail advocates for and stewards this nationwide system. The organization’s Trail Destination Development Framework supports trail tourism initiatives in communities across Canada, helping position trails as a driver of visitor experiences, community vitality and economic development. Learn more about how the Trans Canada Trail supports community-led trail projects through the Trail Catalyst Fund.
Leigh McAdam is a Bragg Creek-based award-winning photographer who loves hiking, biking, paddling and winter sports. You can find her work at HikeBikeTravel.com. She is also the co-author of 200 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta.
Explore biking trails on Vancouver Island on our interactive map, and read more about Leigh’s cycling adventure on Victoria trails, the Galloping Goose Regional Trail, the Cowichan Valley Regional Trail and beyond.
Picking up rental bikes at Cycle BC on the Galloping Goose Regional Trail in Victoria, Main photo credit: Leigh McAdam
