2025 Event

The second annual Slow Coast qathet runs the evening of Friday, September 5 to the afternoon of Sunday, September 7, 2025. We will begin approximately at 4:30 pm on Friday, and run until 3 pm (ish) on Sunday.

This is a non-competitive group bikepacking trip starting and ending in qathet. This is a "BeginIntermediate" ride with TWO nights of camping. The route is about 130km long over the weekend.

We are following a similar format to last year in terms of ride expectations, camping, and overall format. Some things are subject to minor changes as we get closer to the event, but will be communicated prior (i.e. date of dinner provided, some route modifications, and small details). If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to slowcoastqathet@gmail.com or message us on instagram (@slowcoastqathet)

Priority registration for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and women (16 spots) opens April 15, 2025 at 9 am PST.

General Registration (open to all, but 10/22 spots reserved for new attendees) open April 22, 2025 at 9 am PST. 

After you complete the registration form, you'll receive a confirmation email and prompt for payment from  slowcoastqathet@gmail.com. PLEASE WAIT FOR INITIAL CONFIRMATION EMAIL BEFORE SENDING PAYMENT. Your registration is not finalized until payment is received.

This trip is for 19+ individuals. There is priority registration for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and women. 

Please note that everyone must register individually. We are breaking down registration as follows:

• Priority registration for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and women (16 spots)

• New Attendees (10 spots)

• General Registration (open to all - 12 spots).

Space is limited to 38 people to ensure a fun and safe experience. Once capacity is filled, additional signees will be added to a waitlist. We'll follow-up via email with more details once capacity is filled or to contact those on the waitlist. 

We support people getting on bikes in all capacities. However, here is the reality of this trip:

• We will be biking roughly 130km over 2 days (Friday night is a very small distance to camp). Expect longer days on the bike.

• You will be expected to carry all of your gear.

• There is a lot of pavement on the route, but we are incorporating some chunky trails and off road sections, so be prepared for a variety of terrain.

• We described the route as “begintermediate” in terms of terrain, resupply points, and elevation, but you should be confident riding 50km+ carrying all of your gear.

• Though we do have a support vehicle, this is for emergencies and un-fixable mechanicals.

If you have any questions about if this trip is right for you, please reach out.

We are headed clockwise from qathet-Comox-Campbell River-Quadra-Cortes-Lund-downtown qathet. The route is approximately 130 kms over the weekend, starting on Friday evening and ending Sunday afternoon. We will be camping as a group at Kitty Coleman Beach Park on Friday, September 5, and at We Wai Kai Campground on Quadra on Saturday, September 6. 

Friendly reminder: this is a non-competitive cycling event. If your aim is to set a record on this route, this weekend is probably not for you. We will share a more detailed route closer to the event.

We will be modifying the route Miles did here on bikepacking.com if you're curious, but know there's some fun adjustments to come.

The fee for the weekend is $225. This includes:

• 25% of your fee is a donation to the local advocacy groups on Quadra/Cortes who will be sharing their knowledge and projects

• All three ferries on the route

• A private boat ride from Cortes to Lund

• Two nights of camping

• Dinner & drinks at camp on Saturday, September 6

• Slow Coast merch

• A chance to win various prizes and prize packs

• An art workshop/kit

• Access to a support vehicle if needed (for emergencies and mechanicals)

• A fun overall weekend!

We’re excited to be working with Friends of Cortes Island this year for an immersive education experience during our weekend trip. We’re in the process of finalizing other groups/donation recipients, and will share more information soon! Regardless, 25% of your attendee fee is the mandatory donation.

The route has it all! It's a friendly mix of pavement, double track, gravel, some fun little paths, and even some laugh-inducing short sections of weird trail. A gravel or rigid mountain bike is perfect for the route. Low climbing gears and ~2" tires may make the ride more comfortable. If you haven’t been to Cortes before, it’s a hilly place!

Miles rode this route on a tiny bike (yes, a tiny bike), Emily rode it on a full suspension once. Almost anything goes. If you have questions, just reach out! 

For gear, bring a sleeping bag, pad, tent, cooking gear, clothes to sleep in and ride in, and swimming gear if you please. If you need to borrow camping and/or cycling gear, please specify on the last question in the registration form and we will see what we can gather.

There are spots to filter water along the route, and many spots to refill water at camp grounds, snack stops, etc. Two litres on your bike at all time will be plenty. Please bring riding snacks for the weekend, lunch for Saturday and Sunday,  breakfast for Saturday and Sunday, and dinner for Friday, September 5. Dinner is provided at camp on Saturday, September 6. There are multiple chances to stop at little shops and grocery stories on Saturday and Sunday.

A partial refund of 75% of the registration cost will be given for cancellations that occur prior to May 30, 2025. A partial refund of 50% of the registration cost will be given for cancellations that occur prior to June 30, 2025. No refunds will be offered after July 1, 2025.