Heading up-island on the Trans-Canada Highway we crossed, among others, Thicke Road. This, of course, made me think of the 1980s sitcom Growing Pains, in which Alan Thicke played the father character. Not sure whether it was that role or others from his extensive portfolio which made him my grandmother's favorite actor. I'm most impressed by his credentials as theme-song composer for a number of television shows, including Diff'rent Strokes and The Facts of Life (but not for Growing Pains).
Bypassed Nanaimo, and cut across to the Oceanside Route. Stopped in Parksville (see Being Helped, and Being Thrifty for more on this stop) where we saw our second snake. This one was being mauled by a crow. Janine thought that was kind of cool. I thought it was sad. I wanted the snake to stage a fightback, like a pro wrestler who's been on the wrong end of eight two-counts. We left before it happened, but I'm sure that it probably did.
Next stop was Dodge City Cycles in Cumberland, where we acquired a detailed trail map of the Cumberland trails and some advice on which ones to ride. Made camp at the Comox Lake Campground, and biked back along road and old railbed to the main trail area. The fire road up to the trailheads wasn't the longest climb we've done, nor the steepest, but Janine's decision to check on the wellbeing of the hiker with the funny walk and the scratches heading the other way provided a welcome rest opportunity. We never got his name, but learned that he'd had a stroke a few years back (hence the funny walk), and whilst in hospital swore he'd use whatever time he had left to the fullest. When we saw him he was nearing the end of a 44km loop up to a highland lake, although the way he walked probably made it the equivalent of a 75km expedition for a non-afflicted person. Stroke man, we salute you!
The riding at Cumberland was the best yet. Fast, flowing XC stuff, which had both of us smiling. A lot.
Bypassed Nanaimo, and cut across to the Oceanside Route. Stopped in Parksville (see Being Helped, and Being Thrifty for more on this stop) where we saw our second snake. This one was being mauled by a crow. Janine thought that was kind of cool. I thought it was sad. I wanted the snake to stage a fightback, like a pro wrestler who's been on the wrong end of eight two-counts. We left before it happened, but I'm sure that it probably did.
Next stop was Dodge City Cycles in Cumberland, where we acquired a detailed trail map of the Cumberland trails and some advice on which ones to ride. Made camp at the Comox Lake Campground, and biked back along road and old railbed to the main trail area. The fire road up to the trailheads wasn't the longest climb we've done, nor the steepest, but Janine's decision to check on the wellbeing of the hiker with the funny walk and the scratches heading the other way provided a welcome rest opportunity. We never got his name, but learned that he'd had a stroke a few years back (hence the funny walk), and whilst in hospital swore he'd use whatever time he had left to the fullest. When we saw him he was nearing the end of a 44km loop up to a highland lake, although the way he walked probably made it the equivalent of a 75km expedition for a non-afflicted person. Stroke man, we salute you!
The riding at Cumberland was the best yet. Fast, flowing XC stuff, which had both of us smiling. A lot.
Two and a half hours and we felt like a) we'd only scratched the surface and b) we'd happily ride most of the trails again. We found out later (from the grumpy campground guy) that there's another XC trail network on the other side of the lake, up around Forbidden Plateau, and an annual adventure race (part of the Mind Over Mountains series). Worth a return visit.
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