British author and adventurer Alastair Humphreys coined the term microadventures to describe short, simple, local adventures that can fit within the constraints of a typical 9-5 lifestyle. It’s about normal people, who may not have a lot of money or experience, fitting in small bursts of novelty and exploration into their everyday lives. It’s easy to feel like you need to travel somewhere completely different to have a novel experience, like you’ve seen everything your community has to offer. But the concept of microadventures offers us a way to think differently about what’s possible, and explore new experiences or places that may be right under your fingertips. Whether that be sleeping under the stars in your own backyard or going for a night hike, microadventures invite us to reimagine the ordinary.
This idea really resonated with us, and we wanted to see how we could apply it to our own lives. For us, one of our favourite things to do on Saturdays is go to the local farmers’ market. We love the simple ritual of stocking up on produce in a way that not only benefits our health and the environment, but also connects us with our community and supports farming practices that align with our values. With the concept of microadventures in mind, we decided to bike the 50 kilometres along the Galloping Goose Regional Trail from our home in Victoria to the Sooke Country Market.
What unfolded was more than just a bike ride. It was a day of discovery and connection, found through slow travel and fuelled by slow food.
We began our journey at our home in Cook Street Village, following the City of Victoria’s extensive network of protected bike lanes to arrive at mile zero of the Galloping Goose Regional Trail. Located along an old rail corridor, the Goose is one of the most prominent trails in the Greater Victoria Area and is well-loved and well-used by people young and old. Whether for commuting between communities, taking a dog for a walk, or going for an evening bike ride, the Goose offers a safe way to travel for several million people every year.
We followed the trail alongside abandoned train cars and graffiti-covered warehouses, and through residential neighbourhoods as we made our way across the urban landscapes of Victoria, Esquimalt and Langford.
Not long into the journey, the scene shifts from buildings and busy intersections to a lush coastal rainforest, immersed in nature and removed from the city. Lined with ferns and moss-covered rocks, the gravel path crosses over streams and valleys, carefully following the topography. Forest turns to farmland, and farmland to ocean views. We stopped frequently to take in the changing scenery, moving in a way where the journey became the experience. This is slow travel. Noticing. Intentional. An experience we would have missed had we traveled by car. We marvel at the richness and variety of landscapes surrounding us, and a few hours pass by almost unnoticed.
As the forested trail gave way to the town of Sooke, we found ourselves back to busy roads, following the highway and local streets to the Sooke Country Market, arriving with our legs tired and our spirits high. The market buzzed with a feeling of community energy, like everyone knows everyone. We rested here, parking our bikes under the shade of a maple tree, soaking up the sounds of live music and the vibrant hum of conversation and laughter filling the air.
The smiling faces, the stands loaded with fresh produce and baked goods, handmade crafts and art—this tradition, the market, is a living expression of the community’s identity, and a reflection of its culture.
With the afternoon still ahead of us, we hopped back on our bikes and made our way a few blocks through town to The Artisan’s Garden—one of the first stops recommended on the Sooke Tour on the BC Farmers’ Market Tasting Passport. We love finding new places to get a coffee and spend our time, and this spot was everything we could have asked for. Part bookstore and cafe, part garden and home goods store—this place had it all. The amount of love and intentionality that went into creating it was clear. We wandered through sunlit rooms of books and goods, ordered iced coffees, and eventually settled on the patio to enjoy the view and rest our legs before carrying on.
The next stop on the Sooke Tasting Passport Tour brought us to the Sooke Marine Boardwalk, and we spent some time enjoying the expansive ocean views and reflecting on our journey so far. We continued along the boardwalk and ended up just a short bike ride away from our dinner destination: Wild Mountain Food & Drink, a farm-to-table restaurant beside the sea, and the last stop before heading back to our campsite.
As we arrived, we felt a bit worried about showing up under-dressed after a long day of biking. But that worry disappeared the moment we were greeted with smiles and offered a parking spot for our bikes in their herb garden.
We enjoyed some drinks and shared plates, and struck up a conversation with the owner, Brooke, who excitedly explained how fundamental the concept of slow food is to Wild Mountain’s mission.
Every ingredient they use is local. The tuna is fished from the ocean right in front of the restaurant. The kelp is harvested locally and sustainably. The herbs are picked from the garden where we parked our bikes. And the vegetables? Sourced from the same farmers we had met earlier at the market. We were fascinated by this, and listened intently as Brooke passionately shared the origin stores behind the ingredients on our plates.
Not only was the food delicious and aesthetic, but knowing that we were contributing to a mission we believe in left us feeling inspired.
The next morning, as we followed the same forested path back home that we arrived on, we felt a strong pull towards finding more ways to incorporate these microadventures into our lives. This was one of our first times doing a bikepacking trip. Our gear is reasonably lightweight—functional, but modest. We aren’t experts. But that’s the beauty of a microadventure: it’s not about doing it perfectly. It’s about doing something outside of your comfort zone, and it’s the challenge that is deeply satisfying. The struggle of the journey makes reaching the destination that much more gratifying—whether it’s the sense of accomplishment when arriving at the market after hours of pedalling, or the shock and relief of the cold water hitting our bodies as we jumped in the river near our campsite.
Travelling in this way gave us a strong sense of connection to where we were, and facilitated a deeper sense of knowing a place than if we would have driven. Despite having been to Sooke more times than we can count, this trip really stood out to us. We got to know its rhythm, its hidden gems, and its people. A bike ride to the farmers’ market turned a simple weekly routine into a story. It made us slow down, notice more, and connect more deeply with our food, community, and each other.
Many of us live such busy lives—packed with errands and obligations, and what can feel like little room for exploration aside from a few short vacations each year. So the next time you head to the farmers’ market, remember the concept of microadventures, and consider how much more there might be to discover if you take the long way there.
This story was written by Khal and Talia. You can find more of Khal’s work at www.kjoy.ca
Ready for your own microadventure? Go out and explore our featured passport tours at your own pace! It’s a wonderful way to discover local flavours and hidden gems throughout the province.