iZufalled - Stories from the World of Chance

Name (s): Thor + Nicola
Start Location: Galiano Island (mid-island)
Parameters: West or East (water’s too cold)
Base Value: 1 = 3km
Roll: W-3

My better half and I decided to spend the weekend biking around beautiful Galiano Island. Our first morning of the trip was free of planning so what better way to tempt fate than with the roll of some Zufall dice? We laid out the parameters and gave it a go. The final result- a 9km journey west, almost to one end of the island. Upon inspection of the map we noticed our destination took us to what seemed like a dead end on the map- how intriguing.

Nicola and I loaded up our respective mountain bike packs with a light lunch and set off on our random journey. After traveling for a while through some hilly meadows overlooking the ocean we came to a locked gate and a sign marked “Private Road”. We were nearly at our 9km finish and two things crossed our minds- Zufall knows no boundaries and where did this blocked off road lead? The road was beautifully paved, yet overgrown with bushes on each side, brimming with canary-yellow flowers. It was obvious no cars had traveled on it for years (how could they with the iron gate locked for who knows how long). Needless to say we hit out Zufall destination and kept right on going. After about 4 more kilometres the mystery had been solved. The road led us right to the entrance to Dionisio Point Provincial park- a gem in the crown of B.C. destinations- a rocky headland flanked by sandy beaches, two splendid bays, a rustic campground and of course beach access only.

Our day consisted of munching fruit and rice cakes while sprawled out in the sun on bizarre sandstone cliffs that hug one of the pristine bays of the park. We listened only to the waves lapping against the rocks and the occasional raven squawking in the trees. Nicola and I packed up that day and took one final look at our hidden treasure before pedaling back to civilization. We later found out the road had been built for a new development planned on the island many years ago but the island inhabitants would have none of it so after much protest the deal fell through but the road stayed. And what’s the point you ask? Had it not been for a simple roll of the dice we would have merely settled for a simple ride in the country instead of a Saturday afternoon adventure.