Vancouver Island Motosports Events - VIME

The 3000 feet contour, 914.4 metres is a special height for me.

The Scottish Mountaineering Club identifies all Scottish mountains over 3000’ as Munros, 282 of them. The highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales are all over 3000’

Unless you are a VIP, you have to walk to the top of all of them.

On Vancouver Island, you get to ride your motorcycle up to 3000’ on logging roads. Last weekend, me and a companion were able to ride up to 4,215feet and make a cup of tea.

When it comes to mountaineering, it’s much easier to do it by motorcycle than on foot…

https://www.gr200.com/post/a-newcastle-eye-opener-or-sundowner-as-you-like-it

Vancouver Island, North Island, Sayward Valley.
Newcastle eye-opener or sundowner. 40Km/25mi. Difficulty: D3/A3+ 1-2hrs
Route closes with the first autumn snow around November. Opens March to May depending on snow conditions. Start and finish at Sayward Junction

Gaia: https://www.gaiagps.com/public/ubQeGoIchkE3ZYtXLPMQPScT

This short route takes the rider from Sayward Junction westwards along Adam River Main (D1/A1) to the start of a climb to the Haihte lake/Newcastle catchment basin and on to M Branch Main before descending towards the village of Sayward and Kelsey Bay with spectacular views across the islands separating Vancouver island from the mainland and the Coastal Mountain range. You also get a high view of the Salmon River valley, contrasting the low lying valley floor to the tall mountains surrounding.

The route will take no more than 2 hours to complete, including stops for photography and wildlife. The degree of difficulty isn’t great, the sustained climb up to the first lake isn’t steep and (slightly) steeper climbs that come later are not long.

Adam River main follows the route of Hwy19 and is the logging lorry route. Beware industrial traffic and in dry times, rock dust.

The climbing begins at 50.31508, -126.04303 and heads in a northwest direction. A sustained but moderate climb. Following the route, the old road (clue comes from the deforested land) twists and turns through what is best described as a mountain upland. Hard, packed gravel gives good traction, even for the most unsuitable tyres in dry conditions, making this a very suitable introductory route to crosscountry riding.

Eventually, as you pass views over Haihte Lake to your left, you join M Branch Main - one of the forest super-highways in the area. M Branch is all downhill now, taking care to avoid picking up speed. You will be rewarded with fine views from height over the islands separating the mainland from Vancouver Island and the wide Salmon River valley.

At the foot of M Branch, you have the choice of following the paved FSR or the paved highway back to Sayward Junction.

And that is that. 40Km, a first route, an early morning eye-opener or a late evening sundowner. Watch out for wildlife and oncoming vehicles.

If you have enjoyed reading this route description, look out for the collection of routes with descriptions I am in the process of preparing.

JDB 9/9/26

https://www.gr200.com/post/labor-day-theatrics-romeo-and-juliette-the-star-cross-d-lovers

Write-up, route directions and description of a Dualsport and Adv route from Sayward Junction. 140Km

I will be running a VIME Introduction to the backcountry for Adventure bike riders on a Sunday in October.

The venue will be the north side of the Alberni inlet and the degree of difficulty will be mild to only slightly harder.

The purpose of the day will be to introduce Adventure bike riders who are not familiar with riding and navigating in the backcountry to days out in the woods.

The group size will be no more than eight participants to keep things manageable.

You will need a road legal adventure or dualsport bike and full licence.

I won’t be trying to teach any fancy riding skills, just the basics of safe riding, solid navigating and a stress-free day in the woods.

Watch this space for more details. Participation will be $40 for the day, sign-up through the VIME website in due course.

This day is intended for new Adventure bike riders who wish to develop confidence and competence.

It will be a good idea if you have a subscription paid mapping app on your phone, visible on the handlebars.

The day will go ahead regardless of the weather, the route will be adjusted in light of the conditions on the day.

Expressions of interest invited.

Jon’s Binnington

More Mosaic news…

Time to start planning some training days!

Gates open all three days this long weekend + more:

🔹Applicable gates will be open this Saturday, Sunday and Labour Day Monday. With Fall hours now in effect, gates will be open 6 am to 6 pm each weekend until December 31.

📣Remember: Gate openings change week to week. Before heading out, check https://www.mosaicforests.com/access to confirm which areas are open for the weekend ahead. The access map is updated weekly on Thursdays.

🔹Campfires are permitted again at all Mosaic campsites. All fires are prohibited elsewhere on the Mosaic landbase 24/7.

🔹With cooler weather, we’re able to open more access opportunities in the Nanaimo, Chemainus and Duncan areas. Visit MosaicForests.com/Access to learn more.

📌Coming soon- restart of our public firewood pilot + more recreational enhancements and engagement opportunities. Stay tuned.

Mosaic news

With the Province’s off-road vehicle (ORV) prohibition for parts of the Coastal Fire Centre now lifted, Mosaic will align accordingly.

Effective now: Cowichan and Sooke ATV Club areas are reopened to authorized riders.

Good to know: ATV access on Mosaic’s private forest lands is available through authorized club agreements only. Working with clubs helps support responsible recreation, communicate access expectations and protect sensitive habitats, including creeks, streams and wetlands.
To find an ATV Club with a Mosaic access agreement in your area, visit https://www.mosaicforests.com/atvs

Quad Riders ATV Association of British Columbia - ATVBC

Plan your Trip, Train for it, Take the essentials. The three Ts - as relevant for backcountry motorcycling as any other backcountry activity.

More to come…

Most backcountry rescues in B.C. don’t involve tourists.

According to BC AdventureSmart, 95% of people needing rescue are from the local area. Familiar places can create a false sense of security.

New research is helping build a clearer picture of what keeps people safer outdoors: simple and consistent safety messages, timely information, better signage, and advice tailored to specific places and hazards.

It also points to an important role for outdoor recreation clubs and land managers. AdventureSmart is encouraging everyone to reinforce the same simple message: plan your trip, train for it, and take the essentials - the Three Ts.

Our latest blog looks at what the research tells us about building a safer backcountry in B.C.: https://www.orcbc.ca/blog/building-a-safer-backcountry

Bridge out for the foreseeable future

The bridge is out on Memekey FSR

50.14117, -125.69416 https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=16.7303/-125.6942/50.1412&layer=publictracks,GaiaTopoRasterMeters

The bridge cradle is now not rated for industrial traffic and as there is no forest industry in the immediate vicinity it will not be restored until/unless there is.

Workarounds?

Good riders of Dualsport and Adventure bikes on Vancouver Island…

I read often on social media of new riders unfamiliar with backcountry riding on our fair island.

I am also aware that there isn’t a Vancouver Island group catering to the specific interests of riders of DS and Adv bikes.

Is it about time there was such a group, to mentor new riders, share knowledge and advance our interests?

Feel free to comment and make suggestions.