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saturday market bike day trip

by Shannon Kendal | May 15, 2011
Shannon is the General Manager at Rock Salt Restaurant & is a true island girl.

One Day Cycling Trip on Salt Spring Island to Saturday Market in the Park

Bring a bathing suit, towel and change of clothes so you can swim in our beautiful local lakes along the way!

It is approximately 15km from Ganges to Fulford and approximately 1 hour to travel by bike – without stops at a leisurely pace.

7:00am Travel to Salt Spring via BC Ferries from the Swartz Bay ( near Victoria) to Fulford Harbour (on Salt Spring Island) .

The Saturday Market is best enjoyed in the morning so try to catch the earliest ferry possible. However, if you aren’t a morning person the 9am or 11am sailings are also options. Confirm schedules and fares at BC Ferries before you leave.

When you load the ferry park your bike at the bow of the ship (that’s the front for you land lovers). This will ensure you unload first and that you have the best possible view on the way there. Stand-by for the blast of the ship’s horn, despite the Captain’s warning it will startle you every time. While on the ferry enjoy the wind in your face and the great view as you travel into Fulford Harbour. When you see the red walls of Rock Salt Restaurant & Cafe looming on shore you’re almost there.

7:40am Arrive in Fulford Harbour.

Rock Salt Restaurant & Cafe will be on your right hand side almost immediately after you peddle off the boat. Stop in for a decadent breakfast (eggs bennie on a house made yam scone) or grab a latte and a baked treat from our cafe. We also have South Salt Spring maps and activity guides so grab one for your trip.

Warning Salt Spring isn’t flat. As you head out of Fulford Village a big hill will immediately get your leg muscles warmed up.

8:00am Start peddling up Fulford Ganges Road (the one leading directly out of the ferry terminal).

This road intersects the island and connects Fulford Harbour to the main village of Ganges. The road winds slightly to the left as you go up hill. When you reach the summit (about 3 minutes) you will see a fork with Fulford Ganges winding to the left towards to end of the Bay & Beaver Point Road heading to the right. Beaver Point Road leads to Ruckle Provincial Park.

Turn right onto Beaver Point Road.

Avoid the traffic & take the scenic route. As you head up the hill on Beaver Point Road, you will pass an old orchard & Dancing Bear Studio (very cool hemp clothing) on your left hand side. In approximately 12 minutes you will see a small lake on your right with a beach access area blocked off with cement road barricades. This is a very popular family swimming hole called Stowell Lake. In the summer it’s a busy place so watch for dashing kids. If it’s hot jump off your bike, bypass the families on the shore and swim out to the dock in the middle of the lake for a beautiful south end view.

Travel along Beaver Point Road until you see Stewart Road (15 -20 minutes) and turn left. Stewart dead ends at Beaver Point road so you will only see it on your left.

You will know when to turn left when you see the sign for “Studio 28″, then you will climb a big hill on Stewart. You will pass the sign for Solace Organic Spa but keep on going. When you reach the summitt (10-20 minutes) stop to enjoy the view and then roll down hill until Stewart dead ends at Cusheon Lake Road. If you seek some shelter you will see a funky little bus shelter on your right.

As you travel watch for ‘honour stands’. These are farm stands where you can purchase goods ranging from eggs, vegetables, flowers to cookies by depositing money in an honour box.

Turn right at Cusheon Lake Road and travel until it dead ends at Beddis Road (3-5 minutes).

Follow Beddis Road until it dead ends at Fulford-Ganges Road (10-15 minutes).

This is a very nice section of your ride. Rolling hills will take you past Laughing Apple Farm, a big beautiful barn and a section of road that is totally shaded by trees.

Turn right onto Fulford Ganges and cruise down ‘the Ganges Hill’ into the main village.

In the summer parked cars will line the hill on both sides as you get closer to down. Proceed with caution. When you enter town you will see Embe Bakery on your right and Island Escapes on your left. Just past Island Escapades there will be a gas station on your left. Just past the gas station is Centennial Park – home of the Salt Spring Saturday Market.

Credit for above photo: John Cameron

8:30am-1:00pm Find a good spot to lock up your bike and start exploring our Saturday Market & the village of Ganges.

The market takes place every Saturday from April to October, rain or shine. It’s a weekly event enjoyed by locals and visitors in equal measure. The products for sale are as varied, eclectic and exceptional as the people selling them. Fine jewelry, soap, pottery, woven scarves, clothing, woodworking, floor art, felt hats and organic bedding jostle for space with pickles, artisan cheese, chocolate, wood fired bread, pot stickers and fruitsicles. There will be also be musicians and of course interesting island characters. Take your time, fill your senses and strike up conversation with some of the local vendors. Take a rest on the cool grass in the park and listen the sounds of Saturday on Salt Spring. Then get up again and explore the galleries, shops and cafes in Ganges.

1:00opm – 4:00pm Travel back to Fulford Harbour taking time to enjoy the sites along the way.

Head south back out of town up Fulford-Ganges Road.

You guessed it – you must ride up Ganges Hill to exit town. Just rest assured that what goes up must come down. You can stay on this main road for the entire return trip to Fulford Harbour.

Just before you enter the beautiful Fulford Valley you will see Salt Spring Vineyard on your right. Stop and sample some wine and enjoy a rest on their beautiful picnic grounds. My favorite is their Blackberry Port made from local blackberries of course. Two driveways past Salt Spring Vineyards on your right is the Gary Oaks Winery certainly worth another stop.

After you exit the wineries coast down ‘Lee’s Hill’ (the steepest hill on the island to ride up). At the bottom of the hill the main road winds to your left and you will see a dirt road jetting strait ahead. Ride down this very beautiful road into Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park. When the road ends you will see a government dock. Sit and enjoy the view from the base of Mt. Maxwell and Maple Bay. There is an easy and scenic hiking trail -access just to left as you near the government dock. Follow it along the ocean’s edge to a beach at the head of the bay.

Once back on the tarmac you will only have about 15 minutes of riding time to remaining through the Fulford Valley.

4:00pm Arrive back in Fulford Village just at the 3:50 ferry departs and you will have the village all to yourself. Explore the one of kind shops including Stuff & Nonsense and Knotty Threads and then join us at 5pm at Rock Salt Restaurant & Cafe for Mexican night specials or the best burger in BC (maybe the world).