Sheilds Lake

The Pitch

A 90km loop for those on the adventurous side. Part cross country mounting biking, part gravel, and a dash of road to connect it all together. The main premise of the ride is to head out from Victoria to Sheilds Lake via smaller connecting trails (instead of the straightforward Galloping Goose Regional Trail) and return via the Veitch Creek Trail system.

Looking for a shorter ride in the region? Try Veitch and Ayum Creek.

Details

Let's divide the route into 3 sections: Victoria to Sea to Sea Regional Park, Exploring Sea to Sea Regional Park and Sheilds Lake, and returning to Victoria.

1) Johnson Street Bridge to Sea to Sea Regional Park

The route begins on the west side of the Johnson Street Bridge. West Bridge Plaza (Adirondack chairs) makes an excellent, centrally located meet-up place. From here, head west on the E&N Rail Trail. At the 5.5km mark, you'll have an opportunity to hop off the E&N and onto some singletrack that leads to a gravel path through Portage Park, then back on the E&N. Stay on the E&N until you cross Island Highway, then head west on the Galloping Goose Regional Trail.

At the 12.9km mark you'll find an unofficial trail head that crosses over a (broken down) chain link fence. This is the first of some fun single track. It's a narrow, fairly easy to follow trail but expect some technical roots and hike-a-bike on steeper sections before you pop out onto a paved road (Royal Roads hosts a multitude of loamy trails that are fun and challenging on gravel bikes). Across the road, find another trail and follow this until you get to University Drive and the waterfront. The suggested route is straightforward and sticks to a wide, mostly gravel trail that exits the campus at Cottonwood Lane.

At the end of Cottonwood Lane you'll find another trail that will lead you South through the new Royal Bay developments. The exact trail through Royal Bay changes while construction continues but the developers have been good about maintaining "something" to ride on. You'll eventually find your way to Latoria Boulevard and then into Latoria Creek Park.

Latoria Creek Park is a small wooded park with a wide gravel trail following the creek. Ride slow and be mindful of walkers and suddenly appearing sets of stairs.

Once you exit the park, you'll follow some small rural roads and trails to Metchosin Road and eventually turn off on Pears Road. Follow along the perimeter of the Metchosin Golf and Country Club and turn off onto the delightful Hillman Trail. This is a narrow, lightly used, fast flowing trail. Once you exit the trail, head down Happy Valley Rd. (halfway down the road, there is a fire department with a small pump track if you want to goof around), and then backtrack slightly on William Head Road to get to Wootton Road. Sea Bluff Trail is short but the terrain is open farmland with scenic views of the ocean. A great place to stop and refuel! Get back onto William Head Road for a while and then jump onto the Ron Weir Trail connecting to Pearson College Drive.

Follow the Galloping Goose out past Matheson Lake into Roche Cove Regional Park. Although not permitted for cycling, the Cedar Grove trail (approx. 37.5km mark) is lightly used by walkers and after a brief steep section becomes a fun flowy trail back to the Goose (rider discretion is advised). Continue along the Goose (Cross Sooke Road very carefully! Although it is a controlled crossing, cars routinely do not stop!) to get to Harbourview Road.

Before following Harbourview Road into Sea to Sea Regional Park you can choose to ride West along Sooke Road for a pitstop and water refill at Tim Horton's (recommended) before the ride heads into remote territory.

3) Return to Victoria

With the majority of the route complete, the remaining portion connects to the Great Trail (via Sooke Road, Humpback Road, and Irwin Road) and uses the E&N Rail - Humpback Connector to eventually rejoin the Galloping Goose and return to the Johnson Street Bridge. More embellishments could be made, but you will be undoubtedly tired at this point in the journey and longing for a rest and a beer!