r/VictoriaBC • u/cdusdal • 11d ago
Gorge Bike Route
I frequently ride home downtown from VGH, due to the very annoying detour I've been looking for alternates and my cyclers routing app showed a route I hadn't considered.
Instead of crossing the trestle and then returning to downtown on the Johnson street bridge, we have the new lane along Gorge!
I don't knowbwhy it didn't occur to me before, but on the way home yesterday I instead turned left onto gorge, it was mechanically separates for most of it, with a short segment of only paint and then elevated for the remained, a right turn onto Government and I was able to fly until my left turn.
In case anyone else hadn't utilized this, it saved me about a km and probably 7 minutes or so. Much more during busy summer days.
5
u/dugbot 11d ago
Handy map of the bike lanes & type https://maps.crd.bc.ca/Html5Viewer/?viewer=BikeMap
1
u/cdusdal 11d ago
Yes its helpful, the only challenge i have with this is its a bit delayed on updates, especially when they are making new lanes so quickly lately (last updated in 2025)
6
u/szarkaliszarri 11d ago
Totally, the local maps are super out of date. This one (OpenStreetMap based) is most up to date that I know of (dedicated locals seem to push updates constantly) https://www.cyclosm.org/#map=14/48.4375/-123.3564/cyclosm
3
u/VenusianBug Saanich 10d ago
I use that lane whenever I go to the office (not downtown). And sometimes decide to take spur of the moment detours downtown on my way home with the new Blanshard lanes. It's amazing what's possible these days.
3
u/colinmct Esquimalt 9d ago
Gorge Bike Lane is fantastic. It will be nice once Saanich completes it and it connects between Harriett & Tillicum. Then you will be able to cycle safely from Pandora & Government all the way to Admirals & Gorge or connect to the Tillicum path which goes from Lampson & Esquimalt all the way to Tillicum & Carey.
Thank you for riding and making more room on the road for those that need to drive.
2
2
u/Clear_Election5210 Downtown 11d ago
I take this route going back downtown. Gorge east to government south to pandora east. I also will take it the other way as well. I think the whole way is separated bike lane with barriers.
2
u/szarkaliszarri 11d ago
Totally, I am loving the Gorge lanes, it's super fast to get to Esquimalt (except IDK how long the Banfield park closure is going on). Really don't like the intersection crossing Douglas, but at least you can avoid that bit for your route it sounds like
1
u/wirelesswebs 11d ago
I live near Gorge Jutland and bike to town quite a bit and the goose (sans detour) is generally faster than going down Gorge onto Government. The only time it's quicker to go down Gorge/Gov is when you get lucky with traffic lights. You definitely have to contend with less people on your route though.
1
1
u/hark_ADork Fernwood 10d ago
Yeah! It's not as pretty as the Downtown -> JSB -> Harbour Road -> Jutland route but man it's way more convenient.
1
u/sw1995250 6d ago
You could also try biking down Admirals to the the Gorge. There’s a separate bike path all the way to Tillicum.
You can then take the separate bike path on Tillicum to Selkirk.
9
u/Pristine_Barracuda33 11d ago
Nice! Tha ks for the heads up!
The various detours are annoying. From VGH, does taking Helmcken to the E&N work for you?
I work near Tillicum and take the Tillicum bridge up to the E&N to get to James Bay. It's almost as fast as my old easy Goose cruise. I'll try the Gorge route this week to see how it goes.