Lots of people these days travel with bicycles on Vancouver Island. And why not? It’s a great way to get a little exercise and have a relaxing time peddling through the neighbourhoods and parks of the places you visit. You can even do it if you aren’t that fit or if you have children with you if the ground is pretty level. Port Alberni has some wonderful potential for some very relaxing riding on some pretty level streets and paths that aren’t always heavily traveled. And where there is lots of traffic, there is a broad sidewalk to ride on safely. I am going to give you a few suggestions of places to ride that aren’t very difficult and that I think you will enjoy. Many of these routes have lots of alternatives that you can explore as well. I mention some of them in the Google Earth file of the routes that I am attaching to this post when I figure out how to do it. Below are some routes. For more a map of the routes, go to: http://vancouverislandnaturetours.com/bike-routes-in-port-alberni.php.
Roger Creek Route
This route features the Clutesi Haven Marina where the salmon sport fishermen return with thier catches, a walkway along the Somass River where black bears are often seen patroling the opposite shore, some of the oldest homes in Alberni, the older of the two towns, now amaglamated into Port Alberni. It also takes you past Roger Creek Park, a picturesque park popular with locals for wedding and school graduation photos. The route is about 3 km or 1.9 mi.
Kitsuksis Dyke Bike and Walking Path
This dyke system was constructed to protect the neighbourhoods and businesses after a tsunami from an earthquake in Anchorage Alaska in 1964 caused a lot of destruction in this area. Since its construction, it has been paved and now serves as a flat and very pleasant walkway and bike path along the banks of this creek. The total distance is about 3 km or 1.9 mi. There is a lower and an upper foot-bridge that is quite accessible by bycyles. And there are a couple of alternative routes or extentions you can take.
Old Cemetary Loop
This longer route has a bunch of interesting features along it. You will proceede from the same parking lot beside Solda’s Restaurant along River Road through the Hucacasath First Nation Indian Reserve, then up past an old cemetary where the pioneers who first came to Port Alberni are buried. Also buried there are the dead from WW2. There is also an interesting space where Chinese settlers were buried separately from the rest of the Christian community. The route continues Down Mary Street and turns left off it along another dyke system and a park A steep pitch takes you up onto Nelson Street, and through a quiet neighourhood where you can meander down toward River Road and Past Naesgard’s Farm & Market. Naesgaard’s has a variety of fresh rfuit in season and cool drinks. Finally you can cross River Road at Naesgaards and, if the mood strikes you, take a dip in the Somass River at a fishing hole there. Or esle you can peddle down the river and back to your starting point. Total distance is around 5 km or 3 miles.
Somass Estuary Route
The Somass River is the large river that flows into the ocean at the end of the Alberni Inlet. The estuary or delta is the most botantically diverse on Vancouver Island harbouring over 200 plant species, twice that of other estuaries on the island. The area is also one of the best places to birdwatch in the Alberni Valley. And it is a nice place to get away safely on a rural road without having to worry about traffic. The route is about 8 km or 2.5 mi round trip. It takes you through a variety of habitats, and past bothe the City sewage lagoon and the Mill effluent pond. Don’t worry, the smell isn’t that bad as it generally blows away from you. the best time to ride this route is in the morning because it often gets windy here in the afternoon.