Cycle the Tour

Reasons for cycling:

  • Save on Ferry fares and Ferry line-up waits
  • No parking problems
  • Free draw for those biking the Tour, to win a basket of prizes

The winner of Saturday’s basket was Shannon McGrenera from Nanaimo
The winner of Sunday’s basket was Michael Mearns from Cumberland.

Notes about cycling the 2022 Tour
On Saturday 40 cyclists signed in, of which 12 were on NON-electric bikes.
On Sunday 55 cyclists signed in, of which 24 were on NON-electric bikes.
So over the 2 days the ratio of electric bikes to non-electric bikes was 62% to 38%
Generally people on electric bikes didn’t have a preference to which way direction round they went as the steep hill or length of gravel road wasn’t relevant as the majority of e-bikes had wider tires. However, non e-bikers were interested to consider which direction to go as many were happy to avoid the hill. Very few bikes had narrow road tires so the cyclists didn’t mind 2 or 3 k of gravel.
Sunday’s prize winner told us: “Cycling is such a great way to travel these sorts of things. Pretty much kept up with the same groups in cars all day.”

The nitty gritty:

Total Tour route is about 31 kms of which 8 kms are on gravel roads.  There are also some longer gravel driveways of up to 200 m each.

Pack or plan your lunch – meal services are limited. Available in ‘downtown’ Denman, Corlan Vineyard, and on Saturday at the Farmers Market until 1:30 pm.

To enter the cyclists’ draw, simply enter your name at the ticket centre beside the Community Hall, to win one of two gift baskets containing a variety of items, edible and otherwise.

The Denman Island Home & Garden Tour is welcoming cyclists as a way of supporting human-powered, emissions-free and health-enhancing transportation.

The visible presence of many cyclists adds a much-appreciated “green transportation” value to the Tour, which raises money for conservation on the island. The Island now has an all-purpose trail alongside a substantial part of Denman Road which offers cyclists a safer, more tranquil (though slower) option.

The 2022 Tour, which took place June 11 and 12, included a local food farm, spectacular waterfront homes, Denman’s first commercial vineyard, soaring views and cozy hollows.