Victoria, British Columbia, holds the distinction of being Canada’s Caribbean.
Situated below the 49th Parallel (48°38’50.010″ N) that demarcates most of the southern border between Canada and the United states, the balmy shores of southern Vancouver Island enjoys some of the most temperate of Temperate Zone weather.
Temperatures
Daily temperatures rise above 30°C on an average only one day per year and fall below -5°C on an average of only 2 nights per year.
Winter average daily high and low temperatures are 8.2°C and 3.6°C. Summers are also mild, with an average high temperature of 19.6 °C and low of 11.3°C.
Precipitation
The Olympic Mountains in Washington State create a rain shadow over Victoria making it the driest place on the B.C. coast. This gives new meaning, beyond a Winter Games’ souvenir, to “Olympic umbrella.”
Annual precipitation totals just 608mm, compared with 1,589mm in Vancouver, 100 km to the north, and 3,671mm at Port Renfrew, 80 km away on the west coast of Vancouver Island. During the summer, Victoria is the driest major city in Canada.
Winter snowfall averages 26cm, yet one third of winters will see little in the way of snow. When the city does get snow, it rarely lasts more than a few days on the ground.
Cycling Centre
Accordingly, Victoria is celebrated as a Canadian cycling Mecca. Rural terrain around the Saanich Peninsula and the hilly Highlands are the training ground for some of Canada’s top racing stars, including Victoria’s own Ryder Hesjedal.
The extensive Galloping Goose and Lochside Trail system, over 100 kilometres in length, is enjoyed by summer recreational riders and year-round bicycle commuters alike.
Do you cycle, or have you cycled, the highways and byways of Victoria? What’s your favourite ride?
I’ve been archiving video recorded on local bike jaunts for a few years now. As we ride into 2012, I’ve finally gotten around to editing it into a little film showcasing year-round cycling forays around Greater Victoria. Come along for the ride.
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Now you tell me. Its Sunday morning and I’ve just shoveled 4 inches of white stuff. I think I’ve got banana republic biker envy. I do treasure my Vicky moments and exploring the gulf islands. cheers
We have a dusting here. Not enough to shovel. Now cold and sunny, -1°C. Nothing like the “blizzard” at the end of the video. That was the last good snowstorm.
Environment Canada is predicting more flurries, through Wednesday.
Lovely photography — great bike trails. Naked cyclists? Ouch!
Not crazy about the music, though.
I know that music is a matter of personal taste, but I really liked the tune.
Old gear guy,last summer at a yard sale, I spotted a stuff sack, bright red. After a glance, I bought it for 5$. A Blacks of Greenock expedition down parka, fully baffled and hood bright red. So yesterday I had a chance to use it. Minus 32 in Kamloops. I looked like Kenney from South Park! No cycling today.
We got a full-blown blizzard today … and I mean “blown”–windy as hell. Other than wind in the chimney, it’s unusually quiet out there. Think everyone stayed home. Bird feeders are topped up.
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