Wish List Trips: Jeff’s Winter Ride on Vancouver Island
Friends, bikes, and mountain mornings.
This holiday, we’re wishing big.
We asked our staff:
If Santa put a plane ticket in your stocking, where would it be to, and what gear would you pack to go with it?
Jeff, one of Wild Rock’s co-owners and our Aerobic Sports Manager, is hoping for a February escape to Vancouver Island. It’s an opportunity for both some West Coast fun, and some reconnecting with friends and the brands that have shaped his career.
“Mountains and friends. That’s the draw. There’s such a good mix of everything out there. No wonder so many of my friends live in the area.”
Coffee, bikes, and whatever the weather does
Jeff’s planning for cool mornings, muddy trail rides, and a few slow days poking around the coast. It’s a shoulder-season trip, so the weather could go either way. The low-elevation riding is always worth it.
“A typical day would be a slow morning with good coffee, playing tourist, catching up with people I haven’t seen in a while. And then, if the weather’s decent, definitely some riding. The high elevation trails are usually closed, but the lower ones are still great, even if they’re wet.”
A trip that blends riding, reconnecting, and a bit of business
While he’s there, Jeff is hoping to visit some of the bike brands we carry at Wild Rock. Several friends work at Forbidden Bikes, a small but innovative company based on the island.
“It’s mostly about hanging out,” he says. “But we’ll probably talk work too.”
He’s also planning to stop by Norco, a brand with deep roots in his own cycling history.
“I used to work for Norco, then sold Shimano parts to Norco, and now we’ve just started carrying their bikes at Wild Rock.”
These days, the Norco team includes friends, former colleagues, and suppliers. It’s kind of a full circle moment.
How Jeff packs for a trip like this
“I always start as an overpacker. Then I look at the pile, go ‘woah,’ and repack like a reasonable person.”
For a winter trip out west, packing is all about layers, flexibility, and comfort. The conditions could be cold and wet or surprisingly dry. Either way, Jeff brings options and narrows it down once he sees what fits.
Here’s what he’s bringing:
- Lazer Jackal Helmet His go-to for trail riding
-
Patagonia R1 Techface Jacket Breathable, weather-resistant, and great off the bike too
- Osprey Farpoint 55 Travel Pack The classic carry-on workhorse of travel bags
- On Running Cloudrunner 2 Shoes Comfy for travel days and walking around town
He always brings his camera and laptop. His photo gear fits into a dedicated bag that fits neatly into his backpack.
“I spend a lot of time taking and editing photos when I travel, so I make sure it’s easily accessible.”
The highlight he’s looking forward to most
“Seeing friends I don’t get to see a lot. And riding real actual mountains.”
