The Drive to Columbia Beach

[KUS]

WAS IT WORTH IT That is the question that keeps coming up after a mediocre day at CB......Many times frustrated by the drivers on this island and also of course the numerous traffic lights, I made a few more notes on the way up yesterday during my trip from Victoria. Mostly to calm myself, "OOOOMMMHHHHH", as RainX recommends:

-There were two speed traps/ cops busy on the road, one there, one back. Hotspots seem to be Malahat humps and just south of Mill Bay, just north or north part of Duncan, downtown Ladysmith, Nanaimo Parkway. The first four you can almost depend on...
-I counted traffic lights right from my home near UVic:

46 green lights (well at least dark amber to green ),
20 were red or I had to come to a stop......66 FREAKING LIGHTS!!!

Of course there is one for every Tim Horton's....Is it any wonder traffic doesn't flow? Is there a movement I can join to eliminate traffic signals on this rock Is technology to align the lights really pie in the sky it works wonders in Europe but I guess radio waves and electricity work differently in North America, must be a metric/imperial problem....

-there is absolutely NO MERIT to speeding or other illegal maneuvers between Victoria and Duncan, u just don't get anywhere not to mention the incredible inane things I have observed on the Hat, WTF is it about this stretch of road that turns a huge % of the average driver into a complete moron Having said that, even my patented turning right, U-turning, back onto the highway routine doesn't pay many dividends. You CAN make up time speeding past Duncan north and by doing the patent turn where there are left hand turners waiting, esp in Nanoose and Duncan to Chemainus areas. The exception is the Parkway: Those lights at least seems to me sure are set...if you hit one green sure seem to be all green, if you don't, prepare for red frustration and the median is solid and extends several tens of meters past the intersection so no U-turns possible or easy
-the longer distance drive on the 110km stretch is worth it to the #4A exit northbound, you miss the "I have a cottage on the beach therefore my Strata made sure we got three lights installed that are always red"....so it seems....On the other hand, you can get some great sushi in Parksville and stop in on Ray and his beach
-I have heard reports of guys making it to CB in 1.5 hrs Consistently even with a green wave, speeding at 125k whenever I can and pulling out all the other stops, I have always taken 1 hr 45-50 minutes at least.....so if you make it in 1.5, u must be teleporting along the way or live on the edge of town unlike me......20 minutes just to get to TCH. My average time is 2hrs 5-10 minutes. With rigging, that's over 4.5hrs away from family using credits and Fuel just for the drive, add social and sailing time, the day's done!!
-YES, the carbon footprint: Using a Toyota Miser apparently it is possible for $22. My truck costs me about $45-50, the motorhome $85-110 (tough to estimate and totally dependent on those damn lights
-Now add the increased risk of darkness (sometimes both ways), rainy weather, fatigue at least on the way home, a good likelihood of at least one beer in ya.......I think this confirms that we are all nuts

This has been your AAA driver/sailor reporting.....now where are my 'pams

[Sandy Beach]

Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay ferry rocks and in my opinion it MUST continue to run! The ride up the peninsula from Victoria to BB is soooo much more worth the drive than through the Western Communities and up and over the Malahat. As the traffic continues to increase over the 'hat, I suggest more people jump on the Finlayson Arm crossing to support this commuter BC ferry service.

[Vik]

I was thinking of driving up to CB on Sat. Nobody wanted to come with me so I decided to stick to IV which never really got going. Watching the webcam on BWD CB at least saw some action although I guess it wasn't as windy as forecast.

I'd like to hit CB next time just to get a lay of the land since I'm new to the Island. So if anyone wants to jump in my truck or have me pay for gas in theirs I'm happy to car pool.

I've basically given up on 15yrs of driving experience in Alberta and many road trips to CA where 1hr = 100kms. My first trip to Tofino I figured the estimate of 4.5-5hrs had to be wrong on my computer map since it was only 3~350kms away, but as I learned it's a slow drive. I've also found trying to drive fast just ends up with frustration - not a greatly diminished trip time. I guess that's why they call it Island Time.

[JL]

Nice math Kus ... So I should keep festering in the rain @ I.V. while you folks enjoy the C.B. good times ? Or should I stay @ home & 'twitch' ?

[Geoffy]

"Worth It" ... hmmm - certainly the 2 hrs 45 minutes it always takes me to drive North Saanich to CB is a major factor in the decision, which is why I tend to go less days than many. But some days when one just has to get out and that's where the wind may be, then I use the driving time as rolling meditation and/or work-think time. Don't speed, maybe 7-8 over limit, don't stress, and use the time on water, however it turns out to be, as rejuvenation ... so yeah, after a couple days reflection with all the factors, I can still say Sat was worth it.

[dangerdane]

The drive to CB or SP isn't that bad just relax and enjoy the drive. If I get a couple hours TOW I'm happy. Just stop in and get a coffee at one of the many TH's on the way. Now driving to Comox and getting skunked and or being totally OP'd that sux!

[downwind dave]

I like to aim for a 1:1 ratio, water time to driving. most days you are not going to achieve that traveling all the way from Victoria to CB or god forbid LB. On the flip side, if you can get down to Kook st in 15 minutes, you just need a half hr there to feel good.

[mortontoemike]

Hey. Speaking of stopping for coffee on the way to CB, we were looking for a home-cooked place for breakfast yesterday and we stumbled onto the Little Mountain Cafe on Bellevue Rd just off Hwy 4A outside Parksville. Wonderful food, big portions, fair trade coffee, and ... the fresh baked museli bread was scrumptious.

[eastside]

Kus, you know it was worth it when you shredded that wave I was bobbing towards for 5 minutes

[KUS]

I like to aim for a 1:1 ratio, water time to driving. ..if you can get down to Kook st in 15 minutes, you just need a half hr there to feel good.

yeah, I feel better already I wonder how many more hours Martin has to kite in LV to work up to that ratio
thx, MTM, will try
<a href="/http://www.yellowpages.ca/bus/British-C ... 2431336=fr" target="_blank">LMC</a>
next time, just past the southbound on ramp to Hwy 19 on the Alberni Hwy
damn whatsits linking crap

Kus, you know it was worth it when you shredded that wave I was bobbing towards for 5 minutes

well, it was tough etiquette figure which was "Yours" during all that bob-shopping going on those hamsterfest ramps were sure worth it Udder got em all