UNEXPECTED CONNECTIONS
Adventure Motorcycle (ADVMoto)|March - April 2023
North Vancouver Island
Cheryl Jones
UNEXPECTED CONNECTIONS

Putting our heads together, Ray and I hatched a plan to experience the remote and relatively undeveloped wilderness regions of northern Vancouver Island. While I've spent my entire life living on this island, I only began truly exploring it on two wheels over the past few years. So, as we often do, we decided to travel without an itinerary, leaving us to explore without constraints or schedules. And even though we thought we would be disconnected from the world as we rode there it turned out that this trip would bring clarity to the connections that surround us daily.

The first day out was a pavement slog through heavy long-weekend traffic. We were loaded: Mosko Moto luggage jammed with clothes, first aid kit, safety and repair tools and, of course, camera equipment. Once north of Campbell River, cell service disappeared, only to be had in towns. Ah, being disconnected felt great!

There's something different about the north end of Vancouver Island, which I noticed as it attacked the senses: the feeling of fresh mountain air as it streamed through my HJC helmet and REVIT! gear vents, the smell of fir trees and wildflowers, and the grandeur of island mountain ranges as we rode along the coast. There's nothing but you and nature itself out here; it's easy to lose yourself as a result.

Port McNeil, our home base, is part of what islanders lovingly refer to as the "TriPort" area, along with Port Alice and Port Hardy. A quaint town, this "gateway community to the Broughton Archipelago" and home to the World's Largest Burl lies along the Queen Charlotte Strait and has the basic necessities, but boasts nothing extravagant. Perfect. A hot meal at the local pub, a stroll along the waterfront, and a front-row seat to a momma eagle encouraging her two playful offspring to fly provided a magnificent end to a long day in the saddle.

This story is from the March - April 2023 edition of Adventure Motorcycle (ADVMoto).

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March - April 2023 edition of Adventure Motorcycle (ADVMoto).

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM ADVENTURE MOTORCYCLE (ADVMOTO)View All
Stuant Gregory IS IT AN ADDICTION?
Adventure Motorcycle (ADVMoto)

Stuant Gregory IS IT AN ADDICTION?

Five-Time Dakar Malle Moto racer

time-read
4 mins  |
January - February 2024
INTO THE MUD
Adventure Motorcycle (ADVMoto)

INTO THE MUD

Strategies for Successful Off-Road Riding

time-read
3 mins  |
January - February 2024
CHASING PEAKS IN THE HIMALAYAS
Adventure Motorcycle (ADVMoto)

CHASING PEAKS IN THE HIMALAYAS

It was 2:00 a.m. on my fourth day in India. My eyes blinked open in the dark of a hotel room in Drass, a town in the Himalayas on the Indian side of the border. Yesterday was our first day riding on a six-day trip through the Himalayas, and my brain could not process everything I'd seen and experienced.

time-read
5 mins  |
January - February 2024
Angels and Demons RIDING TWO-UP SOUTH THROUGH ALASKA
Adventure Motorcycle (ADVMoto)

Angels and Demons RIDING TWO-UP SOUTH THROUGH ALASKA

A not-so-warm welcome as we entered Hatchers Pass from Willow to Palmer, Alaska.

time-read
6 mins  |
January - February 2024
EXPLORING THE THRILLING WORLD OF RALLY RAID
Adventure Motorcycle (ADVMoto)

EXPLORING THE THRILLING WORLD OF RALLY RAID

A GUIDE TO GETTING STARTED

time-read
7 mins  |
January - February 2024
MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE
Adventure Motorcycle (ADVMoto)

MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE

LESSONS LEARNED ON THE ROAD

time-read
5 mins  |
January - February 2024
White Desert
Adventure Motorcycle (ADVMoto)

White Desert

Riding Across the Frozen Landscape of Siberia

time-read
3 mins  |
July - August 2023
Kitti and Martha Forget Black Dog CYCLE WORKS
Adventure Motorcycle (ADVMoto)

Kitti and Martha Forget Black Dog CYCLE WORKS

How do you start something from nothing? That’s what Kurt and Martha Forgét did when they created Black Dog Cycle Works (BDCW) out of their garage 16 years ago

time-read
4 mins  |
July - August 2023
Essential GROUP RIDING Tips
Adventure Motorcycle (ADVMoto)

Essential GROUP RIDING Tips

FOR ADVENTURE RIDERS (ON OR OFF THE ROAD)

time-read
6 mins  |
July - August 2023
MAKING MEMORIES
Adventure Motorcycle (ADVMoto)

MAKING MEMORIES

Kevin and I initially met in the Marines. We have been riding together for a few years, and riding BDRs the entire time. Our first attempt at a BDR was in Utah, where we were completely unprepared and significantly ignorant of our capabilities. It led to some interesting moments conquering Lockhart Basin where we developed our backcountry motto: “Less Gear and More Water.” We document our rides on our YouTube channel, “Be Gone for Good.”

time-read
5 mins  |
July - August 2023