North 48 Bicycles
North 48 Bicycles
5
9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
About
North 48 Bicycles offers unforgettable guided bicycle tours in the Victoria BC region. Our rides range from Easy to Epic, and we cater to all manner of road cyclists from beginner to expert. Our groups are small (8-10 riders), and are led by experienced, knowledgeable guides. Our daily tours are all-inclusive, including bike, helmet, pre-ride coffee and snacks. Our bike fleet is from the world
Similar Experiences
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
5.0
51 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
3
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Tommy P
Norwich, UK7 contributions
Aug 2017 • Solo
Prior to coming to Victoria, I had no idea that it was possibly one of the best cycling destinations in Canada. Fortunately, I stumbled across David's store, where on a whim I decided to go on one of 7 routes that he has planned and which can be seen within the bike shop.
Whilst I have a few years of experience in the saddle, it was evident that riders of all ability could have been catered for. We set off from the shop in Victoria city centre and what followed where 70 excellent kilometers of conversation and education about the beautiful area which surrounded us. The route itself was great - with rural England being my usual area for cycling, the smooth undulating roads here were far superior, as was the scenery.
I couldn't recommend this tour highly enough. In short: great guide, fantastic scenery and an unforgettable experience.
Whilst I have a few years of experience in the saddle, it was evident that riders of all ability could have been catered for. We set off from the shop in Victoria city centre and what followed where 70 excellent kilometers of conversation and education about the beautiful area which surrounded us. The route itself was great - with rural England being my usual area for cycling, the smooth undulating roads here were far superior, as was the scenery.
I couldn't recommend this tour highly enough. In short: great guide, fantastic scenery and an unforgettable experience.
Written August 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tommy - thanks for your review. I'm glad you enjoyed the ride.
Written September 15, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
William K
Columbus97 contributions
Aug 2019
Just completed an amazing 3 days of cycling around the Saanich peninsula with David Ley. This area is cycling heaven and David couldn’t be a better host, guide and cheerleader as we traversed this beautiful countryside. The Colnago bikes were perfect for the many hills that exist on the varied routes around Victoria. North 48 is also conveniently located next to a great brewpub for the post-ride re-hydration!
Highly recommend North 48 for cyclists heading to Victoria and its awesome rides.
Highly recommend North 48 for cyclists heading to Victoria and its awesome rides.
Written August 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bill,
I'm glad you enjoyed your time riding here. We did some of my favourite routes and it was great to meet you and Anne. Hope to see you back again, and I'll pass on your comments to my neighbours!
Written August 18, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Anthony Joh
Victoria, Canada11 contributions
Apr 2018 • Solo
Having just moved to Victoria I wanted to experience it from the saddle and my tour with North 48 Bicycles did not disappoint. Victoria has some of the best riding roads in all of Canada and David was a fantastic guide to show me around. I look forward to taking more trips to explore this amazing island.
Written May 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
motoyen - glad you enjoyed the riding. As you discovered, the roads are quiet and picturesque and there's so many to choose from! Hope to ride with you again soon.
Written May 12, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Eric_ski_and_bike
Larchmont, NY20 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
I was in Victoria on vacation back in August and wanted to go for a bike ride. I was checking out places from which to rent a bike, when I came across the ad for #north48bikes. For not much more than the cost of renting a bike from some other places, here I'd be able to get a bike with a guide, and not worry about which roads had heavy traffic or getting lost in a place I didn't know.
After a few emails back and forth figuring out when they had availability, what kind of rider I was and what kind of ride I was looking for, we made arrangements for a ride. I met David, the owner as well as the guide, at his shop at 8 AM, an hour earlier than he usually goes out, but he was very accommodating of my interest in an earlier departure time. I was happy to see brand-new Colnago bikes which he spent a bit of time making sure I had the proper sized bike for me an that it was correctly set up, including putting on the right pedals on for my specific cleats type, provided water bottles and some bars, and off we went.
I had asked for a ride that would provide a bunch of hills and to be as far away from traffic and crowds as possible. Once we got a little bit away from Victoria, boy did he deliver. Our ride lasted almost 4 hours and covered 50+ miles with 3k+ feet of climbing (sorry, an American here, I do things in miles and feet, not kilometers and meters) and spent most of our time riding on very lightly trafficed roads. David always gave me a head's up if we were heading towards anything that needed particular attention, such as sharp turns, stop signs, etc.
Overall, I couldn't have planned a better ride myself if I knew the roads there half as well as David. My biggest complaint would be that I could barely walk the rest of the day, but that's exactly what I wanted!
After a few emails back and forth figuring out when they had availability, what kind of rider I was and what kind of ride I was looking for, we made arrangements for a ride. I met David, the owner as well as the guide, at his shop at 8 AM, an hour earlier than he usually goes out, but he was very accommodating of my interest in an earlier departure time. I was happy to see brand-new Colnago bikes which he spent a bit of time making sure I had the proper sized bike for me an that it was correctly set up, including putting on the right pedals on for my specific cleats type, provided water bottles and some bars, and off we went.
I had asked for a ride that would provide a bunch of hills and to be as far away from traffic and crowds as possible. Once we got a little bit away from Victoria, boy did he deliver. Our ride lasted almost 4 hours and covered 50+ miles with 3k+ feet of climbing (sorry, an American here, I do things in miles and feet, not kilometers and meters) and spent most of our time riding on very lightly trafficed roads. David always gave me a head's up if we were heading towards anything that needed particular attention, such as sharp turns, stop signs, etc.
Overall, I couldn't have planned a better ride myself if I knew the roads there half as well as David. My biggest complaint would be that I could barely walk the rest of the day, but that's exactly what I wanted!
Written September 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eric_ski_and_bike, I'm glad you enjoyed the ride - it is one of my favourites, and for the record, my legs were tired too!
Written June 13, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
BakoTravelingBird
Bakersfield, CA16 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
We came across North 48 Bicycles while visiting Victoria for the day. They were very kind in taking time to welcome us and tell us all about the area and the fantastic 50/100km bike tours that they do. We are already planning another trip to Victoria and can't wait to try out North 48's new Calnagos on a tour of the countryside! Victoria is absolutely breathtaking and this is definitely a great way to see it.
Written July 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dora N - we looked forward to riding with you when you come back.
Written September 27, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Santino P
1 contribution
Aug 2018 • Friends
At first I was a bit concerned about renting a road bike, I ride a lot of KMs (250 - 350 p/wk) and am fairly particular about fit etc. The rental bike David provided was a great fit (I gave him my bike measurements online) and was tuned up and ready to go when I got to the store.
Having David as a guide was fantastic. It made the ride safer (I don't know all the turns and speeds) and more efficient as I did not have to pre-plan a route etc.
If you are in Victoria and want to get out and ride some of the funnest roads, make sure to use North 48 - highly recommended.
Having David as a guide was fantastic. It made the ride safer (I don't know all the turns and speeds) and more efficient as I did not have to pre-plan a route etc.
If you are in Victoria and want to get out and ride some of the funnest roads, make sure to use North 48 - highly recommended.
Written August 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Santino,
Thanks for taking the time to provide a review. I'm glad you enjoyed the ride - as you have probably realized there are no end of amazing road rides in Victoria. Hope to see you back here soon.
Written September 12, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MarkD-aust
Adelaide, Australia36 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
My wife & I had a very leisurely ride around Victoria with Liam. Simple tour, got just the right amount of info, saw the important sights, had coffee and lunch - all good. Got recommendations for other activities and eating places.
Written June 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aleksi V
Helsinki, Finland4 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Biking tour with David was great. You can pick from several ready-to-go tours and as we didn't have the time, David modified the Mattick's Farm tour to better suit our tight schedule. If you do a coastline tour, you might want to get something warm to wear as the breeze was quite chilling - especially if your group does not intend to do a high speed. If you are uncertain what to wear, I'd contact David in advance. We really didn't have proper biking outfits.
In the start you will receive a standard bike (which means a really good one) and it will be adjusted for you. In addition you receive water bottles and a helmet. One part of the experience for rookies like us was to try out a proper highway bike and understand the huge difference to cheap, commonly used bikes. First kilometer of the tour usually means driving among the city traffic which can be a bit scary with a new bike. Brace yourself, as with the location of the shop, there is no detours.
The shop can be a bit hard to find if you are not a local. Place is inside the market square area in the lower level.
Route itself was absolutely gorgeous and takes you through beautiful places with a speed you can do. On bike you can see and feel so much more than by car or bus. There was also a route option to and back Sooke. We didn't take it but we know Sooke has stunning nature and cool roads to drive so perhaps you want to take it.
The tours are probably prepared for a bit more skilled bikers than us. David was able to adjust the biking to our level nicely, though a bit more stops and info about places could be nice addition (tourists as we are). Still if you are interested in a sport adventure or just a tour around region, we recommend this rather than a bus tour. Just remember to book at least 4 hours to your calendar.
In the start you will receive a standard bike (which means a really good one) and it will be adjusted for you. In addition you receive water bottles and a helmet. One part of the experience for rookies like us was to try out a proper highway bike and understand the huge difference to cheap, commonly used bikes. First kilometer of the tour usually means driving among the city traffic which can be a bit scary with a new bike. Brace yourself, as with the location of the shop, there is no detours.
The shop can be a bit hard to find if you are not a local. Place is inside the market square area in the lower level.
Route itself was absolutely gorgeous and takes you through beautiful places with a speed you can do. On bike you can see and feel so much more than by car or bus. There was also a route option to and back Sooke. We didn't take it but we know Sooke has stunning nature and cool roads to drive so perhaps you want to take it.
The tours are probably prepared for a bit more skilled bikers than us. David was able to adjust the biking to our level nicely, though a bit more stops and info about places could be nice addition (tourists as we are). Still if you are interested in a sport adventure or just a tour around region, we recommend this rather than a bus tour. Just remember to book at least 4 hours to your calendar.
Written August 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aleksi, thanks for your review. I'm glad you enjoyed the riding - next time we
ll go faster to keep warm!
Written September 15, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Marius L
Dartmouth, Canada1 contribution
Apr 2017 • Business
I met David at his shop, he put me on a trainer to find and adjust an Italian designed Colnago carbon bike to my height and leg length. Then he and his friend Nick took me on a wonderful ride along the coast of the Strait of Juan du Fuca , with all the incredible views of Mount Baker and the Olympic Mountains. They adjusted their speed very well to my cycling capability and speed. They combined cycling with a information tour of the surroundings, pointing out eagle nests and other natural points of interest, which made the very enjoyable. I definitely will go with them for a trip again, when I am in the area.
Written April 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marius, it was a great ride. I Hope to see you again for more great cycling .
Written June 13, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nathan C
Whitehorse, Canada6 contributions
Oct 2020
The road bike tour with David was the highlight of a recent trip to the island. David is an exceptional tour guide, has an incredible knowledge of bikes, and the road bikes in his fleet are incredibly fun to ride.
I had considered simply renting a bike and riding around without a guide, using various apps, gps, etc. This is what I typically do...and it would have been a big mistake!
There is nothing like local knowledge. David guided me on a fantastic 90km loop of the Saanich peninsula. We rode winding coastal roads, ducked onto smooth rolling lanes off the beaten path with very little traffic, stopped at some incredible viewpoints...and worked on some riding technique to top it all off.
Had I gone ahead and ridden on my own, there is no way I would have found 1/10th of the incredible array of roads that David expertly strung together into one fantastic loop.
Highly recommend and will be back!!!
I had considered simply renting a bike and riding around without a guide, using various apps, gps, etc. This is what I typically do...and it would have been a big mistake!
There is nothing like local knowledge. David guided me on a fantastic 90km loop of the Saanich peninsula. We rode winding coastal roads, ducked onto smooth rolling lanes off the beaten path with very little traffic, stopped at some incredible viewpoints...and worked on some riding technique to top it all off.
Had I gone ahead and ridden on my own, there is no way I would have found 1/10th of the incredible array of roads that David expertly strung together into one fantastic loop.
Highly recommend and will be back!!!
Written October 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.