UNEXPECTED CONNECTIONS

North Vancouver Island

- Cheryl Jones

Putting our heads together, Ray and I hatched a plan to experience the remote and relatively undeveloped wilderness regions of northern Vancouver Island. While I've spent my entire life living on this island, I only began truly exploring it on two wheels over the past few years. So, as we often do, we decided to travel without an itinerary, leaving us to explore without constraints or schedules. And even though we thought we would be disconnected from the world as we rode there it turned out that this trip would bring clarity to the connections that surround us daily.

The first day out was a pavement slog through heavy long-weekend traffic. We were loaded: Mosko Moto luggage jammed with clothes, first aid kit, safety and repair tools and, of course, camera equipment. Once north of Campbell River, cell service disappeared, only to be had in towns. Ah, being disconnected felt great!

There's something different about the north end of Vancouver Island, which I noticed as it attacked the senses: the feeling of fresh mountain air as it streamed through my HJC helmet and REVIT! gear vents, the smell of fir trees and wildflowers, and the grandeur of island mountain ranges as we rode along the coast. There's nothing but you and nature itself out here; it's easy to lose yourself as a result.

Port McNeil, our home base, is part of what islanders lovingly refer to as the "TriPort" area, along with Port Alice and Port Hardy. A quaint town, this "gateway community to the Broughton Archipelago" and home to the World's Largest Burl lies along the Queen Charlotte Strait and has the basic necessities, but boasts nothing extravagant. Perfect. A hot meal at the local pub, a stroll along the waterfront, and a front-row seat to a momma eagle encouraging her two playful offspring to fly provided a magnificent end to a long day in the saddle.