August 1, 2025
Day 10 — Miracle Beach to Quadra Island
Marilee here.
Do I feel regret about leaving Miracle Beach without a swim? Well, yes, a little, but honestly the weather has been so unfailingly gorgeous, the beaches so plentiful and the water so warm that I’m guess I’m getting a bit spoiled. Passing up a chance for a swim doesn’t seem as tragic a mistake as it normally would to me.
And we had important business to take care of in Campbell River: we were almost entirely out of food, and Tom needed to find white gas for the camping stove. So we packed up and pedaled back to the highway.
The traffic was steady all morning but not horrible and we made good time, enjoying some sweeping views over the ocean and the coast mountains to the east and north.
I’ve spent a good amount of time over the past few days speculating about what landmasses we’re looking across at — Texada Island? Savary? But there was no mistaking when Quadra came into view, because it’s so close. The channel separating Campbell River from Quadra is so narrow you could — well, I’m tempted to say swim it, but maybe there’s been enough swimming chatter in this trip report already.
On the way into town we unexpectedly encountered a Tori gate and had to stop and investigate. Turns out Campbell River is a sister city with Ishikari, Japan, a city near Sapporo where we’ll be starting our Asia trip. So a photo seemed to be called for.
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Once in town, I had a long break in the shade in a seaside park while Tom did a tour of hardware stores and camping supply shops, hunting for white gas. No luck. We had enough for another day at least so we decided not to sweat it and carry on in the hopes that it would magically turn up in one of the little island shops in the days ahead.
Quadra had more hills to throw at us than Hornby, but the roads were quiet and shaded. Ten kms brought us to the We Wai Kai campground, run by the local indigenous nation. It’s a beautiful campground, with some amazing beachfront sites. We were up the hill from the beach, but the sites were spacious and shady and private so we were happy.
After the obligatory time at the beach (for Tom) and the much-needed swim (for me), we headed on unburdened bikes to the Heriot Bay Inn, with one thought in mind: burgers!
Today's ride: 52 km (32 miles)
Total: 415 km (258 miles)
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