BC Bike Race

"BC Ferries is pleased to be the presenting sponsor of this year’s BC Bike Race. The race provides more than an opportunity to showcase the incredible mountain biking available in British Columbia— it gives the world a view of our coastal beauty and our unique communities and culture. Adventure tourism is a growing segment of the tourism market, and one BC Ferries is proud to support."

Tips for those travelling with the BC Bike Race
June 28 – July 4, 2008

Getting to Victoria (Vancouver Island) from Vancouver
You can rent a car from the Vancouver International Airport and drive 45 minutes to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal. BC Ferries offers hourly service (effective June 25) from 7 a.m. (Monday-Thursdays beginning at 6 a.m.) to 9 p.m. (10 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays) from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay (30 minutes drive to Victoria from there). Visit www.bcferries.com/schedules for further information, including schedules for the Tsawwassen to Duke Point (Nanaimo) route.

Are reservations necessary?
Reserving your trip allows you to take control of your schedule. However, travel is also available on a 'first come, first served' basis. You can make a reservation on-line at www.bcferries.com/res or by calling toll free in North America at 1-888-BCFERRY (1-888-223-3779) or 1-250-386-3431 outside North America.

If you make a reservation seven days in advance the cost is $15, if it’s less then seven days (up to 2 ½ hours before a scheduled sailing) it’s $17.50. You can change your reservation for $9 up to 60 minutes prior to your scheduled sailing time. Note that you must claim your reservation at the ticket booth at least 30 minutes prior and not more than 60 minutes prior to your reserved sailing's scheduled departure time.

Choose CirclePac and Save!
If you are planning to follow the racers, you can save money by purchasing a CirclePac, which is sold at the Tsawwassen ferry terminal. Just ask for it by name! For details on the CirclePac go to www.bcferries.com/travel_planning/circlepac Reservations are not included with the CirclePac, but may be booked separately.

For detailed fare information between Vancouver and Victoria go to http://www.bcferries.com/fares/vanvic20080401.html

The Adventure Continues
Once you’re on Vancouver Island, you will travel to Shawnigan Lake and then on to Lake Cowichan, Port Alberni, Cumberland and Comox (Day 4), where your next BC Ferries adventure awaits!

Day 4: Comox – Powell River - Sechelt
The ferry from Comox to Powell River leaves from the Little River Terminal. There are four scheduled sailings a day and this route only accepts bus reservations. The sailing times are as follows: 6:30 a.m., 10:10 a.m., 3:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. daily. Keep in mind the racers will be travelling on the 6:30 a.m. sailing on Tuesday, July 1 (Day 4). This will be a very busy sailing! We suggest you travel on a later sailing or go over the night before.

Regardless, it is recommended you be at the terminal a minimum of one hour ahead of the scheduled sailing time as there is a Canadian holiday this week (Canada Day, July 1) and the International Choral Kathaumixw Festival is happening in Powell River.

The crossing time between Comox and Powell River is one hour and twenty minutes. Food and retail services are available onboard.

For fare information: www.bcferries.com/fares/comox-powell_river.html
For schedule information: www.bcferries.com/schedules/mainland/copr-current.html

Day 4: Powell River to Sechelt
Day 4 (Tuesday, July 1) of the race finishes in Sechelt. To get to Sechelt from Powell River, drive to Saltery Bay and catch the ferry to Earls Cove (Sechelt). To get there, turn right when exiting the Powell River ferry terminal and drive for approximately 40 minutes (34 km or 22 miles) to the Saltery Bay (Powell River) – Earls Cove (Sechelt) ferry. Note that this ferry does not accept reservations so plan on arriving early for your chosen sailing time. The crossing time is 50 minutes and food and retails services are available onboard. Keep in mind ticket sales and loading end five minutes before the scheduled sailing time for vehicles and walk-on passengers.

For schedule information: www.bcferries.com/schedules/mainland/sepr-current.html
For fare information: http://www.bcferries.com/fares/sunshine_coast.html

Day 5: Sechelt to Langdale Ferry Terminal (Finish Line)
Day 5 (Wednesday, July 2) ends at the Langdale ferry terminal in Gibsons (1 1/2 hour drive from Earls Cove or 84 km (52 miles)). There is no cost to travel from Langdale to Horseshoe Bay (mainland), unless you require a reservation. As this is the day after Canada Day, the terminal will be very busy. A reservation will guarantee you can access your desired sailing. However you must be at the terminal 45 minutes prior to the scheduled sailing. The crossing time is 40 minutes and food and retail services are available onboard.

For schedule information: www.bcferries.com/schedules/mainland/vasc-current.html

We look forward to welcoming you on board!