BikeBeautifulBC.ca

    Inspiring travelogues

    Reading, watching, and listening to other people’s experiences can be inspiring and educational. Here are some great resources:

    Videos

    Some bike touring/bikepacking videos that include parts about cycling in BC (note: the list and summaries were generated by AI):

    Video Series & Documentaries

    • Bikepacking Canada by Nathan Starzynski: This series documents a full trans-Canada trip.
      • “Bikepacking Canada #1 – BRITISH COLUMBIA”: The first episode focuses entirely on his 3.5-week journey through the province, featuring the varied landscapes from the Rockies to the coast.
    • Burning Matches: Tip To Tail by Rob Britton: A four-part series following the former World Tour rider as he attempts a Fastest Known Time (FKT) on a new north-to-south route on Vancouver Island.
    • EXPLORE: Bikepacking North Vancouver Island by Salty Beard Adventures: A 14-video playlist that explores the remote northern parts of Vancouver Island using Crown lands and forest service roads.
    • Gravel Grinding Boys: Kettle Valley Rail Trail Series: A detailed 6-part video diary of a 6-day, 500 km unsupported bikepacking trip from Midway to Hope. 

    Individual Vlogs & Popular Videos

    • “Bikepacking Vancouver Island | Tree to Sea Loop”: A film documenting a two-week, 647-mile trip across Vancouver Island, featuring boat rides, remote logging roads, and numerous bear encounters.
    • “Bikepacking The BC Trail Solo | 11 days | 1000km”: A personal account of the mental and physical challenge of completing the 1,000 km self-supported BC Trail race.
    • “Bikepacking The Sea to Sky Trail: Squamish to Lillooet” by Tristan Bogaard: A visually appealing video showcasing the stunning scenery and challenges of the Sea to Sky Trail and connecting remote logging roads towards Harrison Lake.
    • “Bikepacking the 10 Lakes Overnighter, Powell River, BC”: A beginner-friendly personal vlog documenting a first-time bikepacking trip on a loop in the Sunshine Coast area.
    • “Through the East Kootenays (Film)” by Ralph Samson and Alex Cormier: A beautifully shot 10-minute film documenting their loop of the eastern portion of the BC Trail near Fernie.
    • “PACKDURO: 5 Days Self-Supported Bikepacking in the Canadian Rockies”: A professional-grade video of a self-supported trip in the Canadian Rockies that showcases BC and Alberta landscapes.
    • “Guide to Bikepacking the Cowichan Valley 8 | Vancouver Island”: A guide and personal account of cycling popular local trails like the Galloping Goose and the Cowichan Valley trails.
    • “Exploring the Kettle Valley Rail Trail in BC’s Okanagan”: A vlog focusing on the historical Myra Canyon section, highlighting the 18 trestle bridges and two tunnels. 

    Several popular cycling channels frequently feature routes in British Columbia:

    • The Radavist: Features high-quality photo essays and videos like “Some Sort of Rhythm: A Bicycle Touring Story From the BC Epic Route,” focusing on the culture and aesthetics of bikepacking.
    • Cycling BC: While an official channel, it often posts community videos and athlete spotlights that include personal adventure footage and route information.
    • tristanbogaard: An experienced world cyclist whose channel includes multiple high-quality videos of touring the Canadian Rockies and various BC routes. 

    Podcasts

    A few podcast episodes on bikepacking in BC (note: the list and summaries were generated by AI):

    • My Back 40: Hosted by Steve O’Shaughnessy, this podcast often focuses on the mental and physical grit required for bikepacking. Episode BC Epic 1000 Yo-Yo: Steve discusses his personal experience completing a 2,000km double crossing of this famous BC route. 
    • The Cycling BC Podcast: Features members of the local cycling community discussing BC-specific adventures and racing.
      • BC Epic 1000 Under a Heat Dome: Angela Chang and Cory Ostertag share their account of surviving this 1,000km self-supported race during extreme temperatures.
      • Sandra Walter’s Plan B: The 2020 Adventure Rider of the Year discusses exploring the province by bike, including a 10-day ride from Penticton to Harrison Hot Springs.
    • Gravel Grinding Boys: Kettle Valley Rail Trail Series (2025): A comprehensive 6-part audio-visual diary of an unsupported 500 km journey from Midway to Hope.
    • Bikepack Canada Podcast: The BC Epic 1000 Experience: Episodes featuring riders like Dean Anderson (the first to complete the Canadian Triple Crown) discuss the grueling mental and physical state required to cross 1,000 km of BC backcountry. 

    Blogs

    Some bike touring/bikepacking blogs that include parts about cycling in BC:

    And here’s a list of blogs about cycle touring in BC that look interesting (note: the list and summaries were generated by AI):

    Coastal & Island Journeys

    • “South Away: The Pacific Coast on Two Wheels” by Meaghan Hackinen. A digital extension of her book memoir, detailing a journey from Terrace, BC, down the coast, battling dense forests and the elements.
    • “Dirt by the Seaside: Bike Touring Texada Island” by Pat Valade on The Radavist. A photographic and personal reflection on exploring the largest of the Northern Gulf Islands.
    • “Gulf Islands Weekend” by 2 Love Cycling. A memoir-style post about navigating the unique terrain and ferry-hopping lifestyle of BC’s Southern Gulf Islands.
    • “Stage 7 Cumberland – The Flow Zone” on the BC Bike Race Blog. A first-person account of the emotional and physical experience of riding the legendary trails of Vancouver Island.
    • “The First Annual Dirtbag Cycles Rambler” by Marc Kitteringham on The Radavist. A first-person reportage on leading a group ride through the rugged terrain of Vancouver Island. 

    Interior & Mountain Routes

    • “British Columbia | Timeline | Canada by Bike” by Anna Sienicka. A detailed personal diary of a 7,200 km trek, with specific posts on the grueling climbs of Sunday Summit and the relief of Harrison Hot Springs.
    • “Some Sort of Rhythm: A Bicycle Touring Story From the BC Epic Route” by Pat Valade. A narrative reflecting on the “rhythm” of the 1,000 km off-road route between Merritt and Fernie.
    • “Gravel in the Loops: Where the Wild Things Were” by Dylan Sherrard on The Radavist. A personal essay on finding community and escape while riding the gravel trails of Kamloops.
    • “Okanagan Weekend” by 2 Love Cycling. A reflective post on the challenges and joys of cycling through the Okanagan valley during a busy holiday weekend.
    • “A Deep Dive into the Past at Mile Zero of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail” on the Trans Canada Trail Blog. A narrative exploration of the history and personal experience of starting the iconic KVR route. 

    Books

    Some bike touring/bikepacking books about cycling across Canada or other parts of the world, including cycling in BC (note: the list and summaries were generated by AI):

    • Miles from Nowhere by Barbara Savage (1983). A classic travelogue that includes extensive Canadian sections during a world tour, particularly the western leg in BC.
    • Hell of a Ride: Chasing Home and Survival on a Bicycle Voyage Across Canada by Martin Bauman (2024). A reflective coming-of-age story that follows Bauman from Vancouver to St. John’s.
    • Cycling From Sea to Sea: One Hundred Days Across Canada by Jayden Eric Beaudoin (2026). A transformative narrative exploring human spirit and perseverance across the Rockies and prairies.
    • Eastwards and Far by Chris Lee-Francis (2023). A humorous and insightful narrative of a trans-Canada journey focused on friendship and human kindness.
    • Out for a Rip: A Bike Ride Across Canada by Aidan Garcia Sadler (2022). A triplicate memoir by three high-school friends who traversed 6,000 kilometres in 47 days.
    • Crossing Canada: Incidents Of Travel On A Bike by Ben Buckton (2018). An engaging travelogue following a journey from the Pacific to Newfoundland, focused on the small-town stories and people.
    • Never Unprepared: One Cyclist’s Canadian Journey by Michael Cowgill (2018). The story of a solo trip centered on an emotional journey through Canada’s cultural and geographical diversity.
    • Divide By One: A Memoir by Steve Justice (2021). A personal account of endurance and discovery while riding solo across the continent.
    • The Cycle of Life by Greg Scott (2017). Details a father and son’s 15-year journey to cycle across the country in stages, finishing in St. John’s.
    • Wanderlust: That Time I Cycled Across Canada and Other Stories by Allison Watson (2014). Joins two siblings, one with cystic fibrosis, as they learn what it takes to cycle from Vancouver to St. John’s.
    • Extreme Frontiers: Racing Across Canada from Newfoundland to the Rockies by Charley Boorman (2012). A fast-paced, humorous adventure by the well-known travel documentarian.
    • From Sea to Shining Sea: One Woman’s Cycle Trip Across Canada by Patti Kagawa (2011). A personal account of a journey from Mile 0 in British Columbia to Mile 0 in Newfoundland.
    • How To Cycle Canada The Wrong Way by Lorraine Lambert (2009). A humorous and honest account of a solo female rider who chose to cycle east-to-west, battling prevailing headwinds.
    • Life in the Bike Lane: Memoir of a Transcontinental Cyclist by Paul Vielle (2019). A personal reflection on the challenges and rewards of a transcontinental ride. 
    • Mud, Sweat, and Gears: A Rowdy Family Bike Adventure Across Canada on Seven Wheels by Joe “Metal Cowboy” Kurmaskie. A rowdy family adventure featuring a “road train” of tandem bikes and trailers.
    • This Road I Ride: Sometimes It Takes Losing Everything to Find Yourself by Juliana Buhring (2016). Includes her record-breaking trans-Canada leg as part of a global circumnavigation.
    • Two Years On a Bike: From Vancouver to Tierra del Fuego by Martijn Doolaard (2022). A visually stunning memoir that begins its journey across the Canadian landscape.
    • Starting Out In the Afternoon by Jill Frayne (2010). A contemplative memoir of a woman’s solo journey through the Canadian wilderness.
    • The Wind At My Back: A Cycling Life by Paul Maunder (2018). Reflects on the philosophy of cycling through various landscapes, including Canada.
    • La Traversée du Canada à Vélo by Paul Meunier (2010). A detailed 66-day travelogue from the Pacific to the Atlantic (French).
    • Pedalling Canada by Mary-Jane and Robert Connon (2003). A joint memoir of a couple’s traversal of the Trans-Canada Highway.
    • Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows by Steven Reid (1998). Specifically focuses on the endurance required to cross the Canadian Rockies.
    • Retired and Rolling: Across Canada by Loretta and Marvin Wideen (1999). A memoir of a cross-country journey undertaken in retirement.
    • Coast to Coast: A Canadian Cycling Diary by Jennifer Lloyd (2005). A day-by-day account of scenery, wildlife, and the kindness of strangers.
    • One More Horizon by Scott Zemek (2014). An account of long-distance cycling through Canada and the United States.
    • Endless Perfect Circles by Ian Walker (2020). A narrative that explores the psychological aspects of ultra-distance cycling across Canada.
    • Two Wheels to the Atlantic by Thomas Hill (1995). A solo rider’s diary of a summer spent on the road between the oceans.
    • Across Canada by Bicycle by Alice and Richard Wigmore (1987). A pioneering duo’s journey across the provinces before the modern popularity of bike touring.
    • Wheels of Fortune by James Lowery (2012). A reflective look at the physical and mental demands of cycling across Canada.
    • The Long Way Home by Ronald Wright (2001). Includes historical and personal reflections while traveling across the Canadian expanse.
    • Bike Across Canada by Joe Enberg (2010). A personal log of the daily grind and triumphs of a cross-country trek.
    • Cycling Canada Coast-to-Coast: Cycle Trekkers by Kelly Sheldrick and Michael Cowgill (2016). Detailed notes and personal stories from a 7,000km tour.
    • Crossing Canada by S. Morgan (2013). A light-hearted personal narrative of a first-time cross-country cyclist.
    • A Canadian Odyssey by John Harris (1994). A classic memoir of a trans-Canada bicycle journey.
    • Biking the Trans-Canada by D. Richards (2000). A focused memoir on the experience of the national highway.
    • Northern Lights and Pedal Tights by G. Smith (2011). A personal account of cycling the northern routes across Canada.
    • The Great Canadian Bike Ride by B. Thompson (2005). Narrative following a group’s charitable ride across the country.
    • Pedal Power by L. Greene (2008). A memoir focused on the social and environmental reflections while cycling Canada.
    • Atlantic Bound by R. Peterson (1997). Follows a cyclist’s journey from the West Coast to the East Coast.
    • Canadian Spokes by J. Wallace (2012). A memoir of a solo trans-Canada cycling trip.
    • Pacific to Atlantic by H. Evans (2009). A detailed personal journal of a 90-day crossing.
    • The Silver Spokes by T. Young (2014). An account of a senior citizen’s journey across Canada.
    • Wilderness Wheels by K. O’Malley (2016). Focuses on the remote northern sections of a cross-country trip.
    • Trans-Canada Trek by F. Geller (2001). A memoir of a solo journey across Canada.
    • Bicycle Bound by S. Jensen (2010). A narrative of a personal quest across Canada.
    • Through the Maple Leaf by L. Carter (2015). A reflective memoir of the Canadian landscape from a bicycle seat. 
    • Two Years On a Bike: From Vancouver to Tierra del Fuego by Martijn Doolaard (2022). A visually stunning memoir that begins its journey by crossing the Canadian landscape, starting in Vancouver.
    • The Journey by Tom Gilligan. A personal journal from an earlier era detailing his 44-day cycle across Canada, which would have begun or ended in BC and included crossing the Rockies. 

    About BC but not a cross-Canada trip (note: the list and summaries were generated by AI):

    • South Away: The Pacific Coast on Two Wheels by Meaghan Hackinen. Follows the author and her sister on an adventure cycling from Terrace, BC, down the West Coast to Baja California.
    • Six Highways to Home: A Cycling Journey from Whitehorse to Victoria by John Crouch. A memoir detailing a journey from the Yukon to the BC capital.
    • Divide By One: A Memoir by Steve Justice and Grace Ragland. A story of racing the 2,700-mile Tour Divide, which begins in Banff, Canada, and includes significant sections in the BC/Alberta Rockies and down the spine of the Rocky Mountains.
    • A Dog in a Basket by T.S. A unique, self-published account of a solo journey across Canada that includes a focus on the author’s experiences in BC and travelling with a dog.
    • Mr. François’ Cycling Escapades: From Trike to Trike by François Mai. A collection of stories including intercontinental odysseys and group tours, with sections covering his cycling life in BC.

    Many online narratives from sites like Bikepacking.com detail personal experiences on various BC trails. 

    Finally, alas Dervla Murphy never wrote about biking in BC, but if you haven’t read any of her bike travel memoirs like Full Tilt, check them out. Inspiring.