Hello Members,

Sunday, September 18/05 will go down in Schwalbe Cycling Club history as our
first organized offical 3 Ferries ride.

It all started with some hardy brave souls meeting at the
Brentwood Ferry on a early Sunday morning. To catch the 8:40am Boat.
We lost one right from the start, due to bike problems. (Sorry, you
had to leave Mike P.) We were not alone. There was a small group of riders
doing the exact same route. Once arriving in Mill Bay we were on our way to
our next destination Crofton. The weather was excellent could not have asked
for a better day. We put Millbay behind us and set out along the hilly
Telegraph Rd. Eventually took us through Cowichan Bay and past the outskirts
of Duncan. Riding up the very hilly Jaynes and Lakes Rd ( now paved ) we
made our way to the Hammond Bay Rd turn and up one very large hill and
peddled our way into Crofton. The ride took us just under 2 hours.

While sittin on the dock of the bay. The 11:10 Vesuivius ferry arrived at
Saltspring and we commenced on our stiff legged ride to Ganges. I believe it
was the Awning that stated Water Front Pub and Restaurant. That caught my
eye and a quick group concencus. This was to be our lunch stop and a well
deserved cold beer. Those of us members who has visited Saltspring by car or
bicycle all know of the 6k hill in or out of Ganges. Now fuelled up and
ready to roll the ride was out of Ganges and up the hill. ( After a season
of training, racing and riding. Personally, this hill was the one that was
calling my name).

We departed Ganges at 1pm and arrived at Fulfort Harbour around 1:40pm to
catch the 1:50 boat. This was our hardest effort to make this connection
inspite of our legs and bodies wanting to rest and relax. The other group
shadowed us the entire way so it was nice to chat with them on our down time
riding the ferries. By the time we docked at Swartz Bay and rode along the
Pat Bay Hwy. The clouds had moved in and the tempurature cooled. This was a
nice way to end a great and beautiful ride through some of the worlds best
kept secrets.

For those members that could not make it this year! Maybe we will see you
next year.

Best Regards

Bart McCombe
President