Day 5 - Comox to Roberts Lake, BC

Day 5 - Comox to Roberts Lake, BC

90 km 

I love the small town vibe!  Charming, quaint - to me small towns represent something from our past.  A time when we knew our neighbours, when we took time to say hello and when we took an interest in our community.  I admit that I am probably looking at these towns through rose coloured glasses.  Yes, problems do exist in small towns but for today I am feeling very positive about life in a small town and wondering how and why life in the big city has become so fast paced and impersonal.  Hmmmm - strange I keep singing "I was born in small town" by John Mellancamp.

We were barely two minutes into our ride when a dog walker gave us a huge wave and wished us a great trip.  Several people waved and we had a couple of honks - I assume they were good luck honks and not get off the road honks.  Good omens for sure.

We were both very excited because we were beginning to cycle new territory north of Comox.  As we rounded a turn on our approach to Campbell River we had our first glimpse of the ocean for the day.  It was uplifting!  We increased our pace and arrived in Campbell River, the Salmon Capital of Canada, before we knew it.

As fortune would have it Campbell River had recently hosted the 19th Annual Chainsaw  Carving competition, Transformations on the Shore, and the incredible works of art were still on display along the seaside trail.  We were amazed at the beauty and workmanship of the carvings - true artists!  My favourite was Beneath the Ice by Joel Palmer and Rob took a fancy to Scare the Crow by Cody Lafrance.  

Leaving Campbell River we were faced with a long, slow, hot, 20km hill climb.  The heat wave continues and we find ourselves facing temperatures in the 30's - very unusual for BC, especially this far north.  I was reminded that I am not a fan of pedalling uphill.  As luck would have it, just as our legs were giving out, we stumbled upon Tammy's Cafe and she was making some of the most delicious smoothies this side of Campbell River.  The icing on the cake - a few kilometres from Tammy's we discovered fresh, cold spring water and took the opportunity to fill up our water bottles.   The water was clear, clean and cold.  Juiced up and at the top of the hill, we had a nice easy descent to Roberts Lake Resort...home for the night.

Giggle of the day:

I hate to sound like a broken record, but have I mentioned you can't beat local knowledge?  On the Mill Bay ferry we were chatting with an Islander and inquiring about potential campsites north of Campbell River.  She highly recommended Roberts Lake Resort and told us about the quaint cabins nestled beside the lake.  She wasn't sure if they took tenters, but was convinced that the owners were good folk and would take us in.  During our pit stop in Comox, Rob phoned ahead to the Resort inquiring about tents.  When the owner learned we were on our bikes he said, "If you pedal here you can camp for free.  Just buy one of my cinnamon buns."  Local Knowledge!

#explorebc #cycletour #campbellriver #robertslake #bike #myopus