Cycling the Islands: A Guide to Scenic Routes on the San Juan and Gulf Islands

More than 35 cycling routes across 13 Gulf and San Juan islands combine scenic riding with practical route information.

Cycling the Islands guides riders through island routes in British Columbia and Washington State, including Salt Spring, Pender, Mayne, Galiano, Gabriola, Denman, Hornby, Quadra, San Juan, Lopez, Orcas, Whidbey and Shaw.

Each adventure includes a map and practical information on local history, topography, road surfaces, route condition, difficulty, start and end points, checkpoints and places of interest. Full-colour photographs add visual context for riders planning day trips or longer island explorations. The combination of route detail and local context helps cyclists understand both the ride itself and the communities and landscapes through which it passes.

Clear organization and an emphasis on usable route information make the guide suitable for cyclists who want to combine active travel with the distinctive landscapes, communities and ferry-linked geography of the Gulf and San Juan islands.

John Crouch is a well-known athlete and writer. For ten years he was the editor of a professional medical journal, the BC Massage Practitioner, and was founding editor of Island Runner magazine. He has also worked with CBC Radio promoting walking and hiking in the Victoria area. John's physical and athletic pursuits embrace a number of disciplines. As a hiker and climber he has summited Mount Rainier, Mount Whitney, Mount Baker and Vancouver Island's highest peak, the Golden Hinde. As an athlete John has competed in 16 marathons and countless shorter races. His accomplishments include winning the World Endurance Duathlon Championship in the 60+ age category in Holland in 2001 and coming second in the 2007 event in Richmond, Virginia; winning the 60+ category in the American Masters Marathon Championship in Napa, California, in 2004; and was on the podium in his category in his first Ironman Canada in 2005. He lives with his wife, Lorinda, in Victoria, British Columbia.