Every summer, in the recent history of our tandem, we like to go for a little Gulf Island tour. The Pender Islands were this year’s destination for a day…
Scenic beaches are the reward for endless steep hills–a feature all the Gulf Islands have in common. (Pender’s hills were the steepest yet; in 32 miles of riding we did 3,847ft of climbing!)
It’s always good to find a beach and sack out for a bit on hot pebbles just above the water’s edge…
And in the resting to find a few souvenirs…
No cycling trip is complete for me without a little walk-about as well…
Islands have such beautiful vistas… Pender’s were no exception.
Essential to every island tour is finding a place to swim… We took a little hike off-road and found Roe Lake—a quiet little gem, though a little murkier than our ideal.
It was just the place for napping (Jim) or sitting and staring into space under dragonfly surveillance…while lily pads, like slow-motion bumper cars, jostled in the light breeze and a fisher bird dived with a splash onto the lake’s placid surface.
And of course, eventually we overlooked the possibility of leaches and slime and scary ‘what if’s’ and took a refreshing and rejuvenating dip!
Then upward and onward to complete our island circuit…
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A 40-minute ferry ride carried us back at day’s end to Vancouver Island…where we grabbed a bite to eat, and drove nearly downtown to park and pedal to the 25th annual Symphony Splash in Victoria’s inner harbor…
It is a sight to see, as daylight wanes and thousands merge to fill the streets and plaza around the water, in which a barge hosts the Victoria symphony for an evening of music. 
The 1812 Overture is the grand finale, complete with canon fire and climaxing in fireworks. It is a spectacular event.
The final thrill is to make our way through the dispersing crowds and pedal off into the night at high speeds to our parked van. It is a great thing to have a strong and brave Captain to take me on such adventures!
And because I trust his judgment, I am talked into climbing the Malahat the following day!
Up and over we go! The high-speed ride down doesn’t last nearly long enough to make up for the sweat and muscle power required for the way up! But I can say I’ve done it!
We take the loop by way of the Mill Bay ferry back around and into Victoria the ‘easy’ way…with of course stops for lunch and snacks and water… and even a murky swim! It is a long day.
But because I have a great Captain committed to my well-being, I remain…
A happy stoker,
LS
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. I John 3:1
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Rom.8:32
