Please print out the course description (scroll down for printer friendly version) and bring it in a plastic baggie to the start. If you get lost, bail out or need assistance you can call Katie at 250.415.7314
From Swartz Bay ferry terminal on your bike (meet @ 09:00):
Ride off the ferry along with the cars and follow the road out of the ferry terminal.
Just after you exit the ferry terminal, you'll see a small trail (possibly paved, I can't remember!) heading up to your right with a little sign for bicycles. (If you start heading downhill on the highway you've missed this turnoff, but you can get to the same place by turning right at the very first road - it's actually a highway entrance but you can ride your bike along the side). You need to get up to the overpass which you will have just ridden under. Go up and turn right onto the overpass and wait here to meet any other cyclists!, on the other side are signs pointing you towards Lochside trail, which runs alongside the road for the first part.
Keep following signs all the way along Lochside trail, it is well sign-posted. There is one confusing part where you'll turn right and be heading towards the highway with a McDonald's on your left; there is a tiny sign on the left-turn pullout about 25m before you reach the highway that indicates you need to turn left to continue on the trail.
On this trail you will never cross the highway at a stoplight; if you end up doing that you're not on the trail! It does cross at least one road with a stoplight (McKenzie Rd) but never a highway.
The trail sometimes follows roads and sometimes is really a trail.
Eventually (after about 25k) you will get to a place with multiple trail options, there will be a signpost showing the Centennial Trail system / Lochside & Galloping Goose trails You want to get to the Switch Bridge on the map - you won't be going over the Switch Bridge, instead you will turn right just before it to continue to Sooke on the Galloping Goose trail.
Don't turn off Lochside trail until just before the Switch Bridge - there is another signpost map at this location, and you'll know if you're going over the Switch Bridge because it's a steep on-ramp and you'll be up over cars! If you end up there, turn back & get on the correct trail.
Turn right to get onto the Galloping Goose trail.
From the Switch Bridge on your bike (meet at 11:00):
(if the folks who rode from the ferry get there before 11:00, please do your best to wait for those who will be joining you @ the Switch Bridge)
Stay on the Goose all the way into Sooke - watch for instructions at any road crossing. About 30km from the Switch Bridge (that you didn't cross!), the Goose will cross over Gillespie Rd where you will turn left (the trail will continue straight), you are about 5km from the trailhead at Anderson Cove parking lot.
Stay on Gillespie Rd until a T-intersection where you'll turn R onto East Sooke Rd.
Stay on East Sooke Rd until you pass a sign on your right telling you it's 200m until the Anderson Cove parking lot for East Sooke Regional Park; the parking lot itself will be on your left.
Unfortunately I'm pretty sure there are no bike racks in the parking lot (oh dear!) but we can lock several bikes together or put them into other members' cars.
