Part VI - Vancouver Island Motorcycle Adventure - After Action Review

By the Power of Four: Lessons from My Calgary to Vancouver Island Road Trip

Road trips are about more than just getting from Point A to Point B. They’re about the journey, the photographs, and the memories made along the way. My recent trip from Calgary to Vancouver Island and back was both an adventure and a learning experience. Here’s my after-action review, structured around what I’m now calling the Rule of Fours.

1. The Rule of Fours: Limiting Miles, Maximizing Experience

One of my biggest lessons was the impact of doing too many miles in a day. Long riding hours left me uncomfortable, rushed, and unable to take full advantage of the photography opportunities along the way. To address this, I’ve implemented the Rule of Fours:

• No more than 400 kilometers in a day: Sets realistic goals and avoids overextending.

• No more than 4 hours of riding in a stretch: Keeps fatigue at bay.

• Aim to reach the campsite by 4 PM: Allows time to relax, settle in, and explore locally.

  • which allows you to get Sunset shots near by without riding and setting up camp in the dark

While this isn’t always feasible—especially when chasing sunsets—it’s a principle that will guide future trips, helping me create more opportunities for photographs, local experiences, and a more enjoyable pace

2. Technology Challenges: Mastering the Garmin XT

The Garmin Zumo XT is an absolute asset, designed to simplify my journey, but it became a source of missed opportunities due to setup oversights. Instead of organizing each day into separate routes, I mistakenly had a massive 14-day “blob” of joined routes in one folder. This caused frequent issues, such as fuel warnings and reroutes to the nearest gas station, ultimately forcing me to turn off the route planner.

When I did use the “curvy roads” feature, it rewarded me with a breathtaking ride from Idaho to Washington State. However, range anxiety disrupted my enjoyment—an issue that could have been easily avoided by starting routes with a full tank. To top it off, I carried a fuel bladder the whole time but didn’t use it when I needed it. Lesson learned!

Takeaways for future trips:

• Dedicate time before the trip to fully understand the Garmin XT’s settings and functionality.

• Break down routes by day into separate folders for better organization and usability.

• Test fuel calculations and plan refueling stops before hitting the road.

• If you carry a fuel bladder, use it—don’t let it gather dust!

3. Photography: Time for More Clicks

Photography is a key part of my trips, but I didn’t take nearly enough photos on this journey. The long riding hours left little room for meaningful stops.

To solve this, I plan to structure my days better:

• Morning: Take advantage of soft light for scenic shots.

• Midday: Focus on riding while the light is harsh.

• Afternoon/Evening: Pause for golden hour and sunset photography.

By reducing mileage and riding strategically, I’ll create more time for photography without feeling rushed.

4. The Drone Dilemma

One of my biggest regrets was underusing my drone. I only launched it once, missing countless opportunities for stunning aerial footage. The issue? I was too focused on getting to campsites on time, leaving no room to stop and fly.

What needs to change:

• Plan dedicated drone stops each day.

• Scout potential drone locations during route planning.

• Prioritize capturing aerial footage to enhance the trip’s visual story.

5. Story Time: Crafting the Narrative

In hindsight, I wish I had approached my trip with a storytelling mindset from the start. Thinking about the journey as a story—its themes, moments, and characters—would have given it greater purpose and focus. I also missed the opportunity to document the roads, scenery, and experiences along the way. While my camera captured still moments, a dedicated action camera would have been ideal for recording the dynamic aspects: winding roads, picturesque stops, the bike itself, and the environment

Next time:

• Start with the story in mind: Consider the narrative of the journey—where you’re going, why, and what makes it unique. What’s the story you want to tell?

• Make it a documentary project: Each leg of the trip can serve a purpose, building content to support an unfolding story. This framework will create opportunities for both creative and meaningful documentation. It makes you get off the bike and explore.

• Leverage new tools: I’ve now invested in an action camera and a remote switch, ensuring I can easily capture video footage while riding.

• Embrace detours: Be flexible and willing to deviate from the plan if a compelling story presents itself along the way.

6. Campsite Strategy: Finding the Perfect Spot

Staying at Campgrounds of America (KOA) provided consistency, cleanliness, and reduced stress. However, this reliability came at the cost of missing out on more adventurous, scenic camping opportunities.

Next time:

• Stick with KOAs for a stress-free base option.

• Supplement with research on unique campsites close to the route.

• Be flexible and willing to take a short detour for an exceptional camping experience.

Looking Ahead

This trip reinforced the importance of balance: less time on the road, more time to savour the journey. By adhering to the Rule of Fours and fine-tuning my planning, I can turn road trips into richer, more rewarding adventures. Future trips will be about quality over quantity—more photographs, more drone footage, and more memories.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the road is as much about discovery as it is about the destination. Here’s to the next adventure!