Join us for a social spring ride on beautiful Gabriola Island! This guided tour combines cycling and community connection.

This tour will be led by Steven Earle, a representative of the Gabriola Transportation Society, who will provide local insight along the route.

At the end of the ride, we will be stopping for food!

Route Notes & Safety

• The route is approximately 10 km long.

• Expect some challenging hills for riders on standard bicycles.

• Roads on Gabriola are narrow and winding—single file riding is essential.

• All cyclists are strongly encouraged to wear helmets. For visibility, please wear bright, highly visible clothing—such as colorful apparel or a reflective vest—to help ensure you are easily seen by motorists.

Insurance & Waiver Requirement

We’re pleased to share that we now have insurance coverage in place for our group rides.

As part of this requirement, all participants must complete a waiver prior to joining the ride. Please print, sign, and bring the waiver with you on Saturday—having it ready at check-in will help ensure a smooth and timely start to our itinerary.

Itinerary

1:10 PM – Ferry Departure
We’ll catch the ferry from Nanaimo, arriving in time to experience the tail end of the Gabriola Farmers Market.

1:40 PM – Arrival & Ride to Market
After disembarking, we’ll cycle up Ferry Hill (650 m) and reach the market by approximately 1:50 PM. While the market closes at 2:00 PM, this gives us a chance to experience its atmosphere and observe local traffic conditions.

2:00–2:20 PM – Village Ride
We’ll ride through the village (about 1 km), making a few stops to discuss cycling and pedestrian considerations and highlight local landmarks.

2:20–2:50 PM – Ride to the Beaches
Heading up Church Street and across to Norwich Road, we’ll continue to Berry Point Road and on to Twin Beaches (approx. 5.5 km). There will be an optional stop to take in the views.

2:50–3:35 PM – Coastal Ride & Gallery Stop
We’ll continue along Berry Point Rd., Taylor Bay Rd., and Malaspina Dr., ending with a 30-minute stop at the galleries.

3:35–3:55 PM – Return to the Village
We’ll make our way back via Taylor Bay Rd. and North Rd. to the village, where we can gather at Woodfire Restaurant or Burro Rosa Tapas Bar (both open at 4:00 PM).

Return Ferries
Ferries back to Nanaimo are available at 4:40 PM, 5:15 PM, and 5:55 PM (just a 5-minute ride to the terminal).