Trees and Bikes: The Big Tree Tour

The Big Tree Tour is a fundraising ride started by four friends who happen to be very passionate about the work the Ancient Forest Alliance is doing. “We also like riding bikes,” said Big Tree Tour organizer and rider Leroy Nixon. The purpose of the tour is to raise awareness about the preservation of our ancient forests through ecotourism and human-powered travel.

The four riders will embark on a 260 kilometer tour of southern Vancouver Island that took place from June 3-6. It started in Victoria, went up to the Cowichan River Valley, across the Vancouver Island Range, then continued through to the Wild West Coast forest in Port Renfrew – where there was a day-long break – then back to Victoria. The tour included some of the most beautiful scenery this province has to offer, with visits to the world’s oldest, largest and most endangered trees.

The Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) is a new organization that is motivated to protect British Columbia’s old growth forests. Ken Wu, co-founder of the AFA, said, “This is a very original awareness and fundraising tour to the biggest trees in Canada. BC’s magnificent but highly endangered old-growth rainforests are natural world wonders, they need all the help they can get. As a new organization the Ancient Forest Alliance is extremely grateful to these pedal-powered advocates for their support.”

If you wish to donate to the cause, there are donation jars in Vancouver at Dream Cycle, and Bikes on the Drive or at Fairfield Cycles in Victoria. You can also sponsor a rider online at bigtreetour.tumblr.com