Dave and Erin are food and wine experts, so dinner is a local halibut feast. Staying two nights, we can cycle without the panniers next day, and their teenage son John (a future Olympian track cyclist) finds time in his busy training schedule to lead us out to the start of the Galloping Goose bike trail. It is nearly all on rail trails, 30 miles north and then west through the ubiquitous forests and over wooden bridges. Finally along a stunning sea inlet shore to Sooke, a town named after the local Native tribe. We celebrate with bison burgers. Good birding with a family of California Quails, an Osprey, and too many American Robins to count.
It is an easy run back with only a few other cyclists and dog walkers sharing the trail.
The good weather we have had since we landed is forecast to stay with us for at least the next couple of days.
Tour miles to date: 216
Location:Mill Bay to Victoria
