🚀 go-pugleaf

ematheso@direct.ca (elizabeth matheson) wrote:
>
> If you've cycled on Renfrew Road from Shawnigan Lake to Port Renfrew can you give me a description/advice?
> The guidebook I have (by Simon Priest) says its not recommended - but no explanation.
> Thanks.

I've never ridden the road, but have driven it numerous times some
years back. As I recall it's all gravel/hard-pack. Lots of dipping
in and out of small valleys (much of lower Vanc Isl. is like this.
If you've cycled around Sooke area you know the terrain. Anyway I
think the biggest obstacle is the possibility of washed out bridges.
This won't be insurmountable if your on a mountain bike, provided
you're not carrying too much stuff on the bike and can lift it thru
some bush. Another hazard is logging trucks. They don't care much
for public traffic Mon - Sat. Could get a little hairy.
 
On a positive note, the scenery is wonderful. There is a suspension
bridge on the route over a several hundred foot gorge which can
withstand fully loaded logging trucks. Quite a feat. A few small and
intimate lakes (Lizard, Ferry) offer good trout fishing (in season)
and quiet evenings. Only one or two camp sites on each when I was
last there. I hear from my sister in Victoria that its very busy
around Cowichan/Shawnigan in the summer months. Perhaps this is the
time of year to do such a trip - with a good weather forecast of
course.

All paved roads from Pt. Renfrew to Victoria.

Hope this info helps.
Bob