The Metchosin Caper
Summary
Distance: ~65km
Elevation: ~1,000m
Summary: A half-day ride, leaving from Uptown Shopping Centre, exploring neighbourhood trails and woods in Metchosin. A mixed surfaces ride that embraces rural roads and singletrack in equal parts. At times, you'll wish for a mountain bike and other times a road bike.
Caution: Technical riding skills are a must. Some trails, especially in Pearson College, can get quite tricky with a dropbar bike. An XC MTB would be fine for this route too.
The Pitch
You've thoroughly explored all the great trails in the Highlands and crave something new. Metchosin has always intrigued you but you thought it was limited to a long ride out to Leechtown and back. Enter the Metchosin Caper. a mixed surface ride string together tranquile farm roads, bits of gravel and some fun single track that you would normally never experience. Bring a gnarly gravel bike or an MTB that is still fun to pedal for long distances (ahem, XC)
Details
A clockwise loop that can be divided in two segments: Out to Pearson via Royal Roads University and back to Victoria via Libra Trail, Eleanor Mann Park, and more.
1) Uptown Shopping Centre to Royal Roads University and Pearson College
You'll start on the Galloping Goose Regional Trail (Goose) but quickly detour into Cuthbert Homes Park to make the ride immediately interesting. After some urban gravelling and a quick cut through View Royal Park, it's back to the Goose to get to Royal Roads University (RRU).
The route's trail entrance into RRU is hidden behind a berm just off the Goose (over a downed chainlink fence) and heads into some dark woods for moderately rooty and flowy single track. You'll eventually come to College Drive and then Esquimalt Lagoon but RRU's myriad trail network provides limitless opportunities to explore. Assuming you haven't gotten lost and managed to find the gravel roads and trails that lead out of RRU, it's off to the Royal Bay Developments and a steep gravel descent down to the beech. Enjoy the small climb out and some rural road riding to Witty's Lagoon. Although, strictly not permitted for cycling, a rarely used trail on the perimeter of the park provides a nice trail climb back to Metchosin Road. After a brief section of road pedalling, it's off to Pears Road and the incredibly fun Hillman Trail that sneaks along the perimeter of the Metchosin Golf Course. Watch your speed on this trail. Although tempting to let the brakes go, sudden loose sections and hidden turns can be treacherous. Blackberry season can also play havoc with rideability!
Once back on Metchosin Road and then the Goose, you'll find a gravel trail turn-off into Pearson College. The route will bring you along some well established trails and paved/gravel roads to a small school Observatory. The area offers great views and is a natural place to rest and eat a few snacks before finding the next series of trails to exit the college. The trails out are narrow, super fun, goat tracks offering technical challenges and ample opportunities to fall off your bike. An XC bike will feel right at home here. Take care on the descent. Once you reach the clearing of boat trailers, you'll be nearlty back to the Goose and halfway through your adventure.
2) Libra Trail to Metchosin Wilderness Park, Eleanor Mann Park, Blinkhorn Lake and home
Adter a short ride on the Goose you'll turn off onto Libra Trail for a good climb and eventually pop out onto Libra Place. "Enjoy" the Metchosin country roads as you climb to and through the Metchosin Wilderness Park to get to Eleanor Mann Park for some fun trail riding. Nothing too technical in these parks, but singletrack with occassional efforts, roots, and loose gravel. From here its back to typical jilly Metchosin roads util you get to Blinkhorn Lake for a little more trail time. A breif stint on Lindholm road will bring you back to the Goose.
At this point, time or ceffeine might dictate you return to Victoria via the Goose as fast as you can (no judging) but there are more squiggles to come. At Wild Ridge Way you can turn off onto the residential streets and make your way to Willing Park for some more gravel paths, neighbourhood streets, and then eventually Havenwood Park for some more trail time (tame trails IIRC). This will bring you to Wishart Rd and eventually RRU again where you can remain on the top of the trail network to enjoy some rooty singetrack without descending and climbing back up again. After that, there remains only a quick ride along Sooke Rd to connect to the Goose and pedal home. Or as eluded to earlier, a great cafe for some caffeine and sustenance.
Fantastic! I hope you enjoyed the twists and turns this route provided.