It Rides Like a Sports Car

Our Patrol

“You must enjoy the ride,” the man said.

“Oh, I do. It’s really comfortable,” I said.

“What’s it like?”

“It rides like a sports car.”

On most occasions when we are stopped with the Ural bike, my husband is approached and the conversation goes from how it was shipped in from Russia to a Canadian dealership and its capabilities in two-wheel drive. But on this chance meeting, the man seemed more interested in my version of the bike. I hopped out of the sidecar and let him look at the generous leg room. He commented on the blanket I had on its black leather seat. He agreed that it’s more comfortable for me because in the summer I tend to ride in shorts. He shouted for his wife to come out of the house to look at the bike. She advised him that they have two too many all-terrain vehicles.

“Ah,” Frank said. “This is different. The Ural is a street-legal all-terrain vehicle.”

The man laughed while his wife turned around and went into the house.

Our exploration that day took us first to McIvor Lake, a 9.9 kilometre drive from Campbell River. We tucked the bike into the shade beside a sweet Harley Davidson solo bike. We both admired its gleaming chrome. We walked a short way to view the magnificence of the lake and vowed to pack a lunch and our swim suits next trek.

From the coolness of the lake, we travelled on a long gravel road and turned right onto Miller Main. It was a great ride with trees as our canopy and the smell of pine needles wafting into my nostrils. There was a point where the trail was too narrow and so we turned back.

A few kilometres later we came upon the “Miller Creek Recreation Site” sign. We followed the path to the campsite. It’s a first-come-first-served operation. All the spots were filled and the activity at the lakefront was at full throttle. We spoke briefly to the Camp Host and learnt that it was his sixth year managing the place. We added ‘Camp Host’ to our bucket list.

Exploring on the Ural is a great way to see what you’ve got in your neighbourhood.

McIvor Lake

Miller Main

Miller Creek Recreation Site

Eagle Point Squatters

Our Ural hauls us and our picnic lunch

On Saturday, May 31^st, we set off on our Ural Patrol for destinations unknown. Our mission was to locate a free campsite on North Vancouver Island. We decided to head west from Campbell River on Highway 28 also known as the Gold River Highway. The roadway is very twisty and perfect for a solo bike; however, for the locked-in feel of the sidecar, my driver, Frank says it takes work to make all the turns. As the passenger, I enjoy the feel of movement along the road and look forward to discovering what’s next around every bend.

We drove curvaceously for 40.9 kilometres past Elk Falls Provincial Park to a hidden obscure gravel road approximately 1 km past the Strathcona Park Lodge & Outdoor Education Centre. We entered cautiously because of its limited markings. My son had explained to us that it would be tricky to find because you’d be travelling fast on the main highway and there are no indicators that you’ve reached the nearly invisible side road.

The gravel road was a great find for the Ural. Our Patrol loves the bumping and grinding of the logging roads on Vancouver Island. We travelled a very short distance and came upon a sign that read ‘Please Slow Down’. The narrow path opened up to a breath-taking view of Upper Campbell Lake. We parked our bike in the gravel pit and walked around to explore the terrain.

Upper Campbell Lake

“Great looking bike,” said a stranger.

“Oh, thanks,” said Frank.

From there the conversation included a question and answer session about the Ural’s origin, its year, the quality of the ride and its practical use as well as it ‘fun’ factor. We learnt both their names and I spoke with Judy about the wonderful benefits of being a sidecar passenger versus a person along for the ride on her husband’s Harley. She agreed that having a full view of all things coming toward you without cranking your neck from one side to the other is a big deal.

Bill welcomed us to Eagle Point and together, he and his wife stepped away to have their lunch. We unpacked our picnic bucket and sat facing the wind-swept lake munching on sandwiches and sipping tea. 

Afterward, we walked around the public property and said hello to some friendly folks along the way. We learnt that the campers, most of whom have large motor homes, arrive at this location in March each year to re-claim their campsite.

“We call ourselves squatters,” Bill said.

“Yah, squatters is a good name, but it’s first come first camp around here,” said Judy.

How squatters claim Eagle Point

The campsite claimers tend to the area by bringing in and maintaining outhouses, setting up a children’s play area, building ramps and docks for their boats and swimming. Many of the homesteaders set up flower pots and painted driftwood to help identify their claim. We heard the distinct sound of generators rumbling in the background hidden in the forest.

Later, we jumped back on our stead and headed down the highway. That free site was great looking but it was filled to capacity. The only available spot was on the gravel pit and we decided that although the Ural loves to play around in that stuff our motor home may not.

There are many places to explore with our Ural in this forest-filled area and lots of open logging roads to explore. As a sidecar passenger, I love the ride.

Hidden messages