Caves & Coves TT : Bikepacking Race Preview
Channel: Salty Beard Adventures
Date: 25/06/2023

CAVES & COVES TT: A photo-based bikepacking race like no other.  

Are you ready for an unforgettable adventure through North Vancouver Island's remote, rugged wilderness? The Caves & Coves Tough Tour is guaranteed to leave your legs burning, but rewarded with breathtaking beaches, wild waterfalls, and concealed caves. 

OPEN FKT FORMAT
June 1st ~ Sept 30th
1350 km / 19,300 m 
87% gravel / 13% paved

INSTAGRAM
https://www.instagram.com/cavesandcoves_tt/

WEBSITE (full route into, photo list, and results)
https://saltybeardadventures.com/caves-coves-tt

REGISTER NOW: 
https://forms.gle/SzHbTbp4v6AzX1Ku5

ROUTE OVERVIEW:
Vancouver Island is an amazing place to ride.  Whether it's the amazing vistas, the abundant wildlife, or the quiet roads, there are few places like this worthy of getting lost for a while on a bicycle.  The rugged, remote portions of the north Island contain the best of the best for the rugged bikepacker to experience these natural wonders found within the KWAKWAKA'WAKW First Nations region.  The Caves & Coves Tough Tour has been developed to provide bikepackers with a large route that visits a number of these great places, to explore.  Towns you will pass through: Comox, Campbell River, Port McNeil, Port Hardy, Holberg, Winter Harbour, Coal Harbour, and Port Alice.

THE CAVES:
The north island is remote, rugged, and full of natural wonders. The karst topography has created some spectacular world-renowned cave systems. While some are very difficult to access, ones with spectacular entrances have easier access for the general public to enjoy but don't be misled into thinking the ones on this route are easily paved roads and touristy parking lots.  NO.  These are tucked away down remote logging roads and more often than not, you will be the only one there.  Upana Caves and Little Huson Caves are two of the more spectacular caves situated on the North Island. 

THE COVES:
Boasting over 34,000km of coastline, Vancouver Island is well-known for Pacific Rim National Park, with its expansive sandy beaches, lush rain forests, and outstanding surfing. But the North Island has many remote coves and beaches that very few get to people see. The wildest of them are only accessed by boats, kayaks, or significant hikes, however, some are accessible by dirt roads. Such as San Josef Bay which is part of Cape Scott Provincial Park. Several other coves can be accessed at the dead-ends of remote logging roads. Unfortunately, these roads make it difficult to create a looping route, however, Grant Bay is a hidden gem of Vancouver Island. 

THE RACE FORMAT & RULES: (FKT ITT format, no Grand Depart)
The course is usually snow-free from June 1 ~ to Sept 30 
• Standard "bikepacking race rules" (with the one following exception)
• Riding with a friend is permitted, but you must be together in all photos.  
• TrackLeaders registration recommended for tracking ($25) 
• Complete the required photos along the way as proof you reach each location
• Earn up to 17 hrs of time credits by doing "extra" photo assignments. 
• Submit your photos for verification. (FKT records require rider GPS tracks)
• Your finishing date/time will be recorded forever on the internet.
• Receive a special keepsake when you become an "Official Finisher"