After your night or more on Salt Spring Island, continue north to the ferry landing at Vesuvius. This is a small ferry landing with a coffee shop if you have a wait for the ferry. The ferry brings you across to Crofton, where you’ll head north out of town on Crofton road, which soon becomes Highway 1A. It starts out very pretty but degrades when it passes the saw mill, where you’ll share the road with logging trucks.

As you roll into the town of Chemainus, you’ll probably find it impossible to pass through without going down the main street of this adorable mural clad town. Even the Subway sandwich shop has a tasteful mural painted on the wall.

Once you pass the lumber mill, turn right on Victoria street and then left on Willow street. Equally irresistible are the numerous places to stop for breakfast. One of my favorites is Owl’s Nest Bakery and Bistro. Also good is the Willow street cafe.

As you leave town on Chemainus road, you’ll hit a circle. Either road takes you out of town, but sticking with Chemainus saves you from climbing a hill needlessly.

Things get a little convoluted just before you reach Ladysmith. Highway 1A joins the heavily traveled Canadian highway 1. Because or creek, there is no way to get into Ladysmith without crossing the highway. Walk your bike across Highway 1, and you can ride on the sidewalk (facing opposing traffic). This segment is only five minutes before you see a bike path on your left, and you can ride in peace into Ladysmith.

Ladysmith is a great lunch stop if you’re hungry. This picturesque down built on a bluff overlooking Oyster Bay has several good eateries to fuel you for the rest of your day to Nanaimo.

Unfortunately the route out of Ladysmith requires you to once again interact with the Trans Canada highway. You can put it off for a little bit by dropping down to attractively named Transfer Beach from Robert’s street downtown. If you are packing your lunch, the waterfront park here is a good spot.

Follow Transfer Beach road north until it runs into Ludlow road. Take a left on Ludlow road which then becomes Rocky Creek road. This isn’t a particularly attractive route either, but it does keep you off the main highway.

Once you reach Rogerson road, you will be forced to get on the highway since there is no other way to continue north. Follow highway 1 for just over 2 miles until you get to Cedar road. If you’re in a hurry, you can continue on Highway 1. If you have time, take the more scenic Cedar road bypass through the town of Cedar.

Coming into southern Nanaimo can be a bit tricky. If you’re staying in downtown Nanaimo, you can get back on Highway 1 and then take the Haliburton exit. It’s not a pretty route, but it is the direct one. For a more scenic entry, cross Highway 1 and get on The Parkway trail. Take a look at the map to see this route. Nanaimo has hills so be sure to look at the elevation on your map when choosing a route to your destination.

Nanaimo is a pretty middle class place with a mix of homes and neighborhoods. It is also a major ferry terminal with service back to mainland Canada. Remember, you’ve been on an island all this time. There is regular ferry service to Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay), but keep in mind, the ferry terminal for Vancouver is still 12 miles from downtown Vancouver!