We’ve been doing some cycling around Vancouver and when we headed to Vancouver Island’s Comox Valley we felt an afternoon ride would be in order; especially on a tour that was entitled “Wine and Chocolate”. Not knowing the area’s bike routes we were referred to Island Joy Rides who guided us for our biking, sipping and sampling adventure.
They met us after we fuelled up on lunch at the delightful Old House’s Local’s Restaurant (highly recommend you do the same) with Norco hybrid bikes, a make-your-own trail mix station, water bottles (to keep) and lots of tips for the journey.
Island Joy Rides is owned by Kim Barry and Laurel Cronk who decided to take their passion for adventure and make a business out of it. Laurel and her chiropractic husband Richard Cronk were our guides on this particular day; a couple that could easily both work and play together, both adding insight to our cycling tour.
After a trip along the Courtney River stopping to view sights such as the sunken ship that acts as a breakwater and some discussion of historical facts of the area we headed out into the farmlands. Cycling along farm paths and winding country roads we headed to Blue Moon Winery, an organic farm, fruit winery and culinary studio all in one. After sampling blueberries, strawberries and edible flowers from bushes and fields we headed inside for some wine tasting.
Blue Moon Estate Winery is located at Nature’s Way Farm merely five minutes from Courtenay and crafts dry, off-dry and sweet wines. The Sirius is a dry apple wine made with nine different apples that is crisp and refreshing with good acidity. The wine would pair well with a local seafood dish such as seared Qualicum Bay Scallops. Those looking for a dessert wine could go for the Lunacy or Dark Side, the former a blueberry and blackberry wine and the latter straight blackberry. Both wines great with chocolate or cheesecake made with these fruits with a splash of wine drizzled atop.
Next up we headed back to Courtney to Hot Chocolates for some samples of chocolate, baked goods and some interesting Guinness ice cream (we preferred the chocolate version!). The artisan chocolate shop was opened in 1986 and makes all chocolate by hand starting with Callebaut’s Belgian chocolate and then adding select ingredients including roasted nuts, berries and fresh cream. The cake and bakery section makes one want a birthday every day and they’ve also got some artisan oils and cooking sauces as well as serving up some stellar coffee and teas.
Full up on sweets and on a rather great sugar high, we hoped aboard our cycles and headed back to Locals to debrief, download and say our final farewell to Laurel and Richard.
*2013 Tour Schedule: Every Friday from June 21 – September 13
Start and Finish Location: Local’s Restaurant beside Old House Village Hotel and Spa at 1760 Riverside Lane, Courtenay, BC (see map below)
Meeting Time: 12:45pm
Finish Time: Approximately 4:30pm
This Experience Includes:
- Experienced local guides
- Approximately 3.5 hours of gentle touring with very few hills
- Top of the line Norco hybrid bikes
- Helmets
- Handlebar bags for wallet, camera, etc
- Island Joy Rides water bottles
- Snacks
- Local wine tastings
- Local chocolate samples
Cost:
- Adults – $69 pp plus tax
- Children – $50 (ages 13 to 18) pp plus tax
- Students – $50 pp plus tax
- Local’s Special Price – $40 pp plus tax for locals when the scheduled tour has at least two regular paying guests (local must live between Sayward and Fanny Bay – please show us your address on day of tour)
- There is a 2 person minimum required for this tour
