Vancouver Island Spring 600
Mill Bay - Prot Renfrew - Cumberland
Ride dates: May 31 - June 1, 2025
by Murray Tough

All week the forecast was dry weather for the “Mill Bay – Port Renfrew – Cumberland 600” right up until the night before. Five of us started out in the rain on Saturday morning. If you read my previous story about the Hopeless 1000, you might be thinking that the rain just follows me around! We had about 4 hours of rain before it cleared. By the time I reached the Pacific Marine Road to Port Renfrew, the sun was out. Okay, that’s better.

The ride from Lake Cowichan to Port Renfrew and back was terrific. It was sunny and there was almost no traffic, not even the usual procession of motorcycles. There was a strong headwind going towards Port Renfrew but the forest helped to block it most of the way. The climb back up to Lake Cowichan is a bit of work but that just adds some variety. At the summit I was hit once again with headwinds.

I was tired by the time I got back to Lake Cowichan. The biggest hills of the day were behind me but I was only 200km into the ride. It was going to be a long day. I stopped for a sandwich and then pressed on. There was some easy riding along the lakeshore and through the forest to a turnaround point at a park. Then back to Lake Cowichan.

Not long after leaving Lake Cowichan dark clouds rolled in. There was plenty of clear sky after the clouds and I knew the forecast was for a clear night. I figured I was due for some luck. The rain started while I was on the long descent toward Duncan. I didn’t stop to put on rain pants because I thought it was only a shower. I’m descending at about 50km/hr so the rain is stinging my face. Then the shower became a torrential downpour but I kept going. I was getting worried about heading into a cold night with wet clothes, so I eventually stopped at a gas station with a big canopy to put on my rain pants but by then the worst had passed.

The course continued through Cobble Hill to Mill Bay. I took another break in Mill Bay for a treat at the Tim Horton’s. Then it was back on the bike to Shawnigan Lake, Cobble Hill and Cowichan Bay. There is some lovely, flat riding along the seashore and through the Cowichan Estuary. I was fortunate to be doing this section before the light failed.

By the the time I reached Duncan, it was dark. There is a long highway section from Duncan to the Nanaimo airport. I wasn’t looking forward to it. Fortunately, traffic on the highway was light and the shoulders were relatively clean. The highway riding was more pleasant than I had feared. The clouds had disappeared; a crescent moon hung in the sky. It didn’t give much light but it was pleasant to look at. Unfortunately, the highway offered no shelter from the strengthening headwinds.

   
Photo of Murray on left
(Photo by Fred Fowler - All other photos by Murray)
Deirdre and Colin in right photo.

Once off the highway, I stopped to look at the amazing display of stars. Actually I stopped for an altogether different reason but you probably don’t need those details. I pedaled on through Cedar and into Nanaimo. The moon, now low in the sky beckoned me on. It was late. I wasn’t going to have a lot of sleep.

I had just over 3 hours of actual sleep before heading out for day 2. I felt stronger after having a sleep. Day 2 was an out and back in brilliant sunshine but with a fairly strong headwind on the way out. Our first control was at Buckley Bay. I stopped for a sandwich and met up with Deirdre and Colin. They too had struggled with last night’s headwinds. Despite the name of the course, the turnaround was in Comox. I stopped again for a treat at Tim Horton’s. Even with the wind, my speed was okay on the outbound leg.

Now the downwind leg home. But I was tired and struggling. The fatigue sucked some of the enjoyment out of the day. I was riding scenic roads that I usually love riding on but most of the time I was counting off the towns and villages that were still in front of me. I found that stopping to take photos changed my focus and put some enjoyment back into the ride. And there was plenty to enjoy. I was riding along the ocean shore. Wildflowers were in bloom everywhere. When I took the time to look around, it was a fine day for a ride.

I was pleased to finish in daylight. Actually, I was pleased to finish.