After resting with our buds in Victoria and eating our weight in hot dogs and ice cream we headed off on the second leg or our trip. First up was Galiano, which may a competitor of the best gulf island for bike camping?
We ripped up the lochside trail from Victoria with little issue. It’s wild how over time I could used to how beautiful that ride is. Car separated and off the highway (for most of it), it goes through dirt trails where the trees create an arch, shading us as we rode in the morning heat. A bless and a curse, it made for a hot but beautiful ride.
We had plenty of time before the ferry and saw local legend Tyrone and his partner Kristy on the way back from their own trip. Makes my day every time I see a friend at the ferry. It’s like we are part of this secret club.
Coming off the ferry on Galiano there is a grocery store directly to the left. It is definitely the cheaper of the two options on the island, but if you are looking for healthier and fresher options the small grocery story before Montague is your best bet.
You can get a sneaky cold Asahi there, so points for that.
About 5 minutes off the ferry there is a small bakery/cafe called Oxeye that is definitely worth the stop before having to deal with Galiano’s many hills (the Neutrino and I definitely did our fair share of suffering).
Oxeye has wildly good pastries, donuts, and fresh sandwiches. Prepare to wait a good 45 minutes though, worth it, but not for anyone in a rush. Granted we did come just before a long weekend so maybe it was already busier than usual.
There are two campgrounds on Galiano and they each have their advantages. Montague has unreal sunsets a bus that will take you to pub. The bus also has a drum kit the driver plays as he drives. Oh, and he’ll also pick you up. So if cold pints and pub food are your focus. It’s your best bet.
Dionisio is further out and requires you to cross the island (aka over a small mountain) and you are pretty far out (and requires a small amount of trespassing), but it is worth the trip. There are beautiful well separated campsites, pit toilets, potable water and super kind camp care taker. Dionisio is technically a marine access only campground, so their is a calm cove, sand beach and decent swimming.
Since it’s a bit of a challenge to get to, there is also far less of a chance of hooligans keeping you up like there is any time there are car campers or you are in Maple Ridge (looking at you Alouette Lake).
The sunsets are pretty good at Dionisio too.
We got in in the late afternoon and had enough time to setup, checkout the beach, and see the sunset before making out way back to the tent for some reading.
The next day, after leisurely coffee, some exploring of the old campground and it’s lookouts, our friend Aubree met up with us. She claimed the hills aren’t that bad. I claim she’s a fucking machine. And a hero, because she brought us still cold beer to the campsite. Aubree generally rules and it was nice to visit with her for the night.
Oh, and her Surly Long Haul Trucker is gorgeous and Cass from Loop Hole Bags guided her in making her own frame back with a lil window. Seriously impressive. If you’ve never checked out Cass’ stuff, ya should. It’s mostly made from reclaimed outdoor gear.
Anyway, off topic, the next morning we packed up and Aubree stayed as she shares a studio w/ Cass and Cass was joining her the day after we left for Saturna. We said our goodbyes and I spent most of the definitely very hilly ride back to the ferry thinking about how nice it is to have friends that are into the same dumb hobby I am.
We had another obligatory stop at Oxeye before meeting our Buds Sam & Gordon to join us to Saturna.
But, again, that’s another story
