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Welcome to the Inaugural VanIsle 1200

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The VanIsle 1200 (July 5-9, 2006) is a new, low-key 1200 kilometre randonnee featuring scenic seaside vistas and West Coast wilderness. Starting and finishing in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, the route travels along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Strait of Georgia and finally across Vancouver Island to the logging & fishing town of Port Hardy. The route then mostly follows the same route back to Victoria.

Rider Information:

Cost: $180 Canadian.

Rider Limit: 35 riders.

Rider Qualification: Registrants will have successfully completed a 1000k brevet or a 1200k randonnee in the past 2 years (2004, 2005 or 2006); or have completed the 200, 300, 400, and 600k brevet series in either 2005 or 2006.

Rider's cycles and reflective material:

• This randonnee is limited to riders pedalling human-powered bicycles or tandems. Cycles with more than two wheels are not permitted, as many of the roads are narrow.
• Riders' cycles must be in excellent mechanical condition as the northern 400 kilometres of the route travels through isolated wilderness.
• A strong head-lamp and at least one red, rear tail-light are required to be mounted on the bike. Back-up lights and batteries must be carried with the rider.
• Reflective material is required on rear seat-stays, crank arms and front forks; in addition, a reflective triangle hanging from the seat, seat bag or on the rear side of the rider is also required.
• A reflective vest or sash; and reflective arm and ankle bands are required to be worn at all times by registered riders.

Van Isle 1200 Route Information:

• Approximately 30,000 feet of climbing, mostly undulating, averaging about 5,000 feet of climbing per 200k.
• At about 120k, there is a 10k climb with an incline of 5 - 8% to the top of the Malahat Drive (1100 feet). There is another significant 10k climb with an incline of 5-6% just after the 400k mark; then another 4k climb at 6-8% at the 450k mark. From Campell River to the turn-around at Port Hardy, riders will experience many ups and downs.
• There are many towns from Victoria north to Campbell River (about 400k).
• After that, there are only a couple of small 'villages' until one reaches Port Hardy. The wilderness portion of the route begins just north of Campbell River. There are no reasonable places to sleep on the side of the road. Bears, cougars (mountain lions) and deer call this area their home. Be cautious around wildlife.
• Weather -- July is usually a fairly good month. However, it usually rains somewhere along the way, usually on the north end of the Island. Temperatures during the day, if it is sunny, could be 21C-27C. Early morning riding just south of Port Hardy can be very cold ... down to 3-4 degrees C. (Usually a very damp cold, sometimes with a mist.)
• Course -- If you have a map of Vancouver Island (or go to www.earth.google.com), then you can follow the course as outlined below:
  1. Start on the east side of Victoria (Oak Bay Village)
  2. Travel 5k west to Victoria Harbour, then turn eastwards and follow the waterfront east (counter-clockwise), then north around the Saanich Peninsula, turning south again back to Victoria (about 100k and 3000 feet of climbing).
  3. Then head north on the Trans-Canada Hwy, dipping into Mill Bay Cowichan Bay, Maple Bay, Chemainus and returning to the Trans-Canada Hwy at Ladysmith. Continue north through Nanaimo, Parksville, Courtenay, Campbell River, Sayward, Woss Camp to Port Hardy.
  4. Turn around, retracing the route back to Ladysmith.
  5. Then, instead of following the northward route in reverse, stay on the main highway back to Victoria, through Duncan.
  6. When entering Victoria, the route will travel in a clock-wise direction around the Saanich Peninsula, and will be a little more straight-forward than on the outward bound trip.
  7. There are about 700,000 permanent residents on Vancouver Island, most of whom live on the South and East coast of the island ... they drive a lot of vehicles, plus there are many tourists ... as a result, there is quite a bit of traffic on the main highway. North of Campbell River there is not much traffic (except for a number of logging trucks for about 60k north of Campbell River). Riders will be glad to leave all the traffic behind after Campbell River, but will be just as glad to see 'civilization' at Campbell River on the way back!

Rider Support:

• Similar to the Colorado Last Chance 1200, the plan is to have a drop-bag control at Campbell River (400/800k controls); and, possibly another 'manned' control at Woss Camp (500/700k controls) for those who ride through there at night (the store at Woss closes at 8 pm); all other controls will be 24-hour stores; or have a question that needs to be answered on the control card.
• Riders may arrange to have their own private support vehicle. Private support persons may only provide assistance to their rider at the official randonnee controls.

Can-Am Pin:

The Can-Am Pin is awarded to riders who complete a 1200k in Canada and a 1200k in the United States of America in the same calendar year. In 2006, the only Canadian 1200k is the VanIsle 1200. It is planned that Can-Am Pins will be awarded at the finish of the VanIsle 1200 for those ambitious riders who complete the Washington State Cascades 1200 (which finishes one week before the start of the VanIsle 1200) and who also complete the VanIsle 1200.

Facts about Vancouver Island:

• Largest North American Island on the Pacific Coast (454 kilometres long and 100 kilometres wide)
• 3,440 kilometres (2150 miles) of coast-line
• Highest waterfall in North America - Della Falls in Strathcona Park drops 440 metres (1,443 feet).
• Distances from Vancouver Island (via Ferry):
  • Victoria (Provincial Capital) to Seattle, Washington (113 kilometres or 70 miles)
  • Victoria to Port Angeles, Washington (32 kilometres or 20 miles) - Scenic
  • Sidney to Anacortes, Washington (58 kilometres or 36 miles) - Scenic
  • Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen, B.C. (39 kilometres or 24 miles) - Scenic
  • Nanaimo to Vancouver, B.C. (58 kilometres or 36 miles)
  • Comox to Powell River, B.C. (40 kilometres or 25 miles)
• In addition to riding the VanIsle 1200, consider extending your stay to explore Vancouver Island. Some points of interest are:
  • Victoria, a little bit of olde England
  • Campbell River and Port Alberni, both claimants of the title "Salmon Fishing Capital of the World"
  • Pacific Rim National Park on the exposed Pacific West Coast
  • Duncan, city of totems
  • Chemainus, city of murals
  • Port Hardy, southern ferry terminus for the ferry trip to Prince George, B.C.

Rider Insurance: Each rider is responsible for ensuring that they have adequate insurance coverage, such as travel medical insurance, liability insurance, travel cancellation insurance and adequate vehicle insurance. It is highly recommended that each rider consult with the appropriate insurance broker to determine the rider's insurance needs.

Cycling is inherently a risky activity. Cycling over long distances over unfamiliar terrain at all hours of the day and in sometimes heavy traffic, as a single cyclist or when riding with a group of unfamiliar cyclists increases the risk of injury. Each rider must be prepared to look out for their own safety and ride cautiously. We want you to have a safe and enjoyable ride experience.

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