How do you fit 300 km of riding into a small area while never riding the same road in the same direction twice? The Sidney Veloce has more loops than a French horn. This year’s version added a few extra meanders to avoid construction projects.
A dozen riders gathered at dawn for a day of adventure. The forecast temperature swing meant dressing warmly in the morning but having sufficient space to store the warm clothes when the temperature climbed to the mid teens. We set off south, down the highway at a fast pace. The drafting made the riding so much easier. Before long we left the highway to get around a construction zone. The detour was pleasant riding through farmland on empty roads.
Our first loop was around Saanich as we meandered our way through mostly residential neighbourhoods and, eventually, the farms at the base of Mt. Doug. We then joined the Lochside and Galloping Goose trails for a long loop around Langford and bucolic Metchosin. The fields were lush and green; the trees were getting their leaves.
Mark was waiting for us at the Metchosin control with chocolate milk, water, bananas and cookies. Shortly after we had the steepest climb of the trip but, as climbs go, this one was very manageable at less than 200m above sea level.
We followed the E&N trail through the warehouse district with its graffiti murals and into Vic West. There was a control right beside the Trek bike store. I was having trouble with my rear derailleur so I stopped and asked them if they could have a look. They fixed my problem and had me back on the road faster than I could eat my rice cake. As I made my way north, Mark was waiting near Elk Lake with more chocolate milk, water, cookies and bananas.
We continued north for a trip around Lands End. Gord and Fred were waiting for us at the staffed control in Deep Cove. Then south through the farms of Central Saanich. North again, around Lands End, in the opposite direction. South for a loop around Oak Bay. North for a loop around the university. At the control at Ten Mile Point I decided it was time to put my leg warmers back on. If I had been clever, I would have stopped somewhere with a bench. Could I do it standing? No. Can I sit on the ground without falling? Will I be able to get up again? After a little over 230km of cycling, the answers weren’t obvious.
We meandered past the stately homes in Uplands, then along the waterfront. Snow covered Mount Baker was bathed in the glow of the setting sun. Then down the middle of the meticulously manicured Victoria Golf Course. There were lots of ships in the Juan de Fuca Strait, set against a backdrop of the Olympic Mountains. The pilot boat was just leaving a bulk carrier that was heading out to sea. We continued past the cruise ship terminal, with a massive cruise ship alongside. Past the Inner Harbour and the iconic parliament building. Then a short loop through Beacon Hill Park; the peacocks were vocal with their loud, piercing calls. After I left Beacon Hill Park, the sun set, the colours slowly faded and the streetlights came on. The grey light of dusk soon gave way to darkness as I cycled north on the Lochside trail to the finish in Sidney. With 5k to go I could see glimpses of the Sidney shore lights. The finish was only moments away. It was a perfect day for riding with light winds and comfortable temperatures. The course was fun, interesting…and confounding. But it all flowed nicely. The distance seemed daunting and at the start but the miles flew by.
