Follow the Alberni Bam Bam

Four stories. Five riders. One long way around Vancouver Island.

Part 01 · Into the thick of it · August 11

The Long Way Around

The journey begins with a ferry crossing, remote logging roads, coastal forests and the first long push south.

Read the Journey

Next Stop

BLOG 02 · August 18

Port Renfrew → Bamfield

The journey continues soon.

Next Stop

BLOG 03 · August 25

Bamfield → Ucluelet

The journey continues soon.

Next Stop

BLOG 04 · September 1

Ucluelet → Nanaimo

The journey continues soon.

RIDER 01

THE ZAPPER

Jonathan Caron

Bringing horsepower, humour, and just enough e-bike assistance to make everyone else suspicious. His MSR titanium cup, clipped neatly to his saddlebag, also became an unofficial rock collection, bear bell, and group entertainment system.

Former pro triathlete. E-bike lover and frequent zapper. Occasional carrier of rocks.

RIDER 02

The Risk Factor

Dave Michael

Approaching the route with enthusiasm, questionable judgment, and a strong belief that things usually work out if you keep pedalling. Dave provided one of the trip’s more memorable moments by launching himself over the bars near Coombs in pursuit of Finnish mustard. The mustard was still worth it.

Former endurance athlete. Slightly chatty. Somehow operating without maps.

RIDER 03

The Calm One

Monica Lopes

Bringing the calm confidence every bikepacking group needs when the route gets rough, steep, loose, or questionable. Monica had arguably the best bike setup for the trip, which became more obvious every time the road turned into something less like a road.

Relaxed. Ready for anything. Also endlessly chatting.

RIDER 04

The Spark Plug

Lisa Fitzgerald

Powered by candy, optimism, and muscle memory from years of ultra-distance events. Lisa was the inspiration for the whole debacle, which means everyone had her to thank when the route was beautiful, and everyone had her to blame when it was not. She kept showing up with a smile, even when the rain, gravel, and long days gave her plenty of reasons not to.

Endlessly happy. Endlessly chatting.

RIDER 05

The Navigator

Kim Lewis

The group's own Lewis and Clark. Kim was the strongest rider on the trip and the person most likely to turn a short ride into a time trial. She helped keep the group pointed in roughly the right direction, even when the route disappeared, the map got creative, or the forest disagreed. Every bikepacking trip needs a Kim.

Retired triathlete. Map designer. Route decoder. Too bad about her choice in shoes.