iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Advance Voting Day #1 at Municipal Hall held on October 7th is now complete ✅ Great turnout & we had 892 residents cast their ballots. For comparison, Advance #1 only saw 522 voters in 2022 ❗ Next Advance Voting Day is Tuesday Oct 13th, 8am - 8pm at @northcowichan.bsky.social Municipal Hall #bcpoli

North Cowichan sign in front of Municipal Hall building

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Beautiful afternoon in @northcowichan.bsky.social today and perfect weather to get out for a 50km ride. Quick stop at the Crofton Seawalk for a quick snack and then hit the home stretch. #bikesky #cyclinglife #vancouverisland #northcowichan

Bike leaning on a railing on a seaside boardwalk overlooking boats in a marina

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Fall is in full mode here in the Cowichan Valley this week. Crisp cool mornings, warm afternoons and the changing colors of autumn in the trees. It is also a great time of year to ride a bike.🍂 #bikesky #getoutside #vancouverisland

bike leaning against a tree with fallen leaves on the ground during autumn

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Sharing from Snuneymuxw First Nation's facebook page because this is beautiful ! 'i' cun 'uw 'i', I am here 💓 We were honoured to celebrate the unveiling of "Strength and Perseverance", artwork by Snuneymuxw artist Noel Brown at the sports court at Deverill Square Park. #nanaimo #snuneymuxw

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

The 5th Candidate Forum for @northcowichan.bsky.social Council election is tonight at 7pm in Chemainus by the Chemainus Resident's Association event. Council candidates get a 3 min speech & the Mayoral Candidates get a speech but will also have a debate portion. A meet & greet mingle will follow.

Meet the Candidates
FOR
Municipality of North Cowichan
Mayor & Council
October 1, 2026, 7-9 pm
(Doors Open at 6:30 pm)
Chemainus High School
Multi-Purpose room

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Just saw this message response isn’t being recieved well on Facebook

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Got out for a beautiful ride this afternoon after I got the next round of candidate election questionairres. Did a 40km loop and then went out to Bare Point to get a good view looking back across Chemainus Bay to Chemainus with Mt Brenton standing high in the distance. #bikesky #northcowichan

bike on a mossy bluff with gary oak trees and an ocean bay in the distance

Chemainus Western Forest product mill as seen from the bluffs above Bare Point Road.

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Great news for @northcowichan.bsky.social that a valued added #forestry #manufacturing operation is coming to #Chemainus. With 30 new jobs by early 2027 & up to approx 70 positions as production increases over next 3 years. From Japan, Shinohara Group has 50yrs architectural building experience.

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

We are on the home stretch for candidate forums and debates during my @northcowichan.bsky.social council election campaign with 3 out of 6 events complete. Just like all the mountains I climb, it's about focusing on one step after another.⛰️ #northcowichan #bcpoli #elections2026 www.ChrisIstace.com

Chris Istace sitting on summit of Big Interior mountain with Nine Peaks mountain in the distance covered in snow.

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Nice day touring Sebastian around to my local favourite gravel bike routes. I'm hosting him through the WarmShowers app as he visits from Germany on a bike-packing trip across North America. #vancouverisland #cowichanvalley #cycling #bikesky

bikes along a gravel and rocky bank of a river with a waterfall in the distance

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

British Columbia is definitely pulling up the Canadian average as we have our road bikes and of course our Mountain Bikes 😆🤘 Best province there is for all things two wheels 💚 oh ya and its always N+1 🚲

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Another great workout on the bike today pushing myself hard in hopes I don't blow up at the next race of Cross on the Rock cycle cross series this weekend. Stopped by at the end of my ride to get a photo of the new "Japanese Canadians in Chemainus" mural. #vancouverisland #cycling #bikesky #murals

bike in front of a Japanese reflection garden and large mural of Japanese history in Chemainus below Yellow Cedar timber framed structure

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Proud grand opening ceremony on Saturday in #Chemainus for the #Japanese Canadian Legacy Societies project with Festival of Murals Society. Titled "Remembering and Honouring Japanese Canadians in Chemainus" It features artk by #mural artist Silke Seiler and yellow cedar timber work by Mark Staples.

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

A nice surprise and a good chuckle as the #BCGreens @bcgreens.bsky.social comms team used my #bluesky post quoting @emilylowan.bsky.social 's speech at @ubcm.bsky.social this week. Great speech and worth a listen. #bcpoli #britishcolumbia #greenparty #UBCM @bcgreencaucus.bsky.social

BC Greens leader Emily Lowan addressing UBCM delegates at the 2026 delegates

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Got off the ferry back home from UBCM and the past 4 days in Vancouver. First thing I did was hoped on the bike and hammered out a hard one hour on the bike. Two wheels outdoors is amazing for the heart and soul. #cycling #vancouverisland #bcpoli

Looking past the handlebars of a pedal bike with an election sign that says Chris Istace on it

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

A friendly reminder that if you are short you don’t sit beside the tallest Premier in BC 😄 Thank you to Premier @davidebybc.bsky.social for listening to @northcowichan.bsky.social strong continual request for support & funding for social housing & programs #NorthCowichan #bcpoli #elections2026

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

“Who would have though the 25 year old would be the most stable party leader in the province” - great way to open your @ubcm.bsky.social address @emilylowan.bsky.social 😊💚 #ubcm #bcgreens #greenparty #bcpoli #britishcolumbia

Emily Lowen of the BC Greens addressing delegates at the UBCM 2026 Convention

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Huy’ch’qu Grand Chief Phillip for your wise words at #UBCM. We must maintain our steadfast comitment to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act #DRIPA in #britishcolumbia. Local Governments are on the frontlines of #reconciliation and I am committed to this important work. #bcpoli

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Beautiful evening in Coal Harbour on the waterfront for night two of the UBCM Conference here in Vancouver. #localgovt #bcpoli

Canada Place, Pan Pacific Hotel & Vancouver Convention Centre East as seen from upper level of Vancouver Convention Centre West in Coal Harbour

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Switched things up from big forest gravek road adventure rides this weekend to racing. First CycleCross race of the season in Qualicum Beach is done and dusted in the 20th year of the Cross on the Rock series. I'm sore and tired today 😆 #racing #bikesky #vancouverisland #cyclecross #bikes

suffering on one of the 8 laps in the hour of racing

Insane heart rate during my race and had an average of 161bpm for the 44 minutes

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

These past 4 years I’ve worked hard delivering on my commitments to bring people together with fairness, transparency, empathy and compassion working to serve all residents in our community. I would be honoured to have your vote again for @northcowichan.bsky.social Council on October 17th. #bcpoli

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

A good day on bikes...a good day with friends...a good day outdoors. Being in #nature and riding bikes is one of my favourite things to do. Tuesday's ride above #LadysmithBC was fun and I've been really enjoying all the new #mountainbike trails being built by locals the past year. #vancouverisland

mountain biker riding down rocky terrain in a forest

forest viewpoint looking down over Ladysmith harbour

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

62km gravel bike mountain mission Holland Lake ~ Ladysmith ~ Vancouver Island #getoutside #cycling #bikesky #bikelife

bike leaning against a rock along the shore of Holland Lake

Holland Lake , water source for town of Ladysmith

Mt Sicker in distance dropping down near Mt Brenton to Chemainus River

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Sunday was wonderful weather to enjoy the #cycling routes & downtown bike lanes of Victoria. We parked as usual along the Galloping Goose in View Royal & then rode the EN Trail downtown. Had a great lunch on #carfree Government Street, relaxing at Beacon Hill Park & Dallas Rd ocean views. #yyj

cruise ship in the distance along Dallas Road in Victoria BC on our bike ride

sail boats sailing out from James Bay in Victoria BC as seen from Dallas Road

graffiti walls along the EN Trail in Esquimalt

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Friday MTB session on the summit of Pi'paam (Coast Salish traditional name for Mt Tzouhalem) @northcowichan.bsky.social forest reserve trail network looking down below at Cowichan Bay Estuary. #bikesky #friyay #mountainbike #cowichan #vancouverisland #northcowichan

mountain bike leaning against a tree on the summit of Mount Tzouhalem in North Cowichan forest reserve overlooking the Cowichan Bay Estuary down below in the distance

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Perfect afternoon to disconnect , hit the forest and max out my heart rate 💪🏼💚🚲🌲 📸⛰️ - summit Maple Mountain @northcowichan.bsky.social #northcowichan #bikesky #cycling

View looking SE from Maple Mountain summit through fir trees at the the gulf islands and Salish sea

Mountain bike leaning against a tree with a forest trail winding off into the distance

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Intense effort and some hard charging with my friend in Ladysmith yesterday as we tackled some new trails in the area. We had a great time and wanted to get some MTB laps in before the forecasted rain arrives. #mtb #bikesky #vancouverisland #getoutside

looking over the handle bars of a mountain bike on a forest rocky bluff with sky and mountains in the distance

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

I'm grateful that I saw Hiko's post in a #bikepacking group looking for a place to stay. He is here on a #bike trip from Kyoto and I had 2 wonderful days sharing beautiful Quw'utsun with him. Sharing our home hopefully has left him with fond memories of #Canada when he heads home to #Japan. 🇨🇦🚲🇯🇵

man standing beside a Coast Salish totem on Vancouver Island

Two people standing with a bike all loaded for bike touring

Bikepacker from Japan all ready to ride with his loaded up bike

bikepacker cycling down a street waving goodbye

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

"IF YOU VOTE FOR ME, ALL OF YOUR WILDEST DREAMS WILL COME TRUE!" promised Pedro. 😆 Tomorrow is the 1st day #NorthCowichan nomination packages can be submitted. Thanks to the local residents who signed my papers & will be officially seeking re-election as of tomorrow morning when I drop them off🗳️

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

When we visited for our climbing trip it was September and beautiful weather. This was above Bishop headed to the summit of Mt Emerson.

A Sierra mountain range valley with forested meadows in the bottom along the trail route

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Creeks and Ponds 🌿 Moss and Trees Just a few of the backroads sights along the way on my bike ride yesterday in the forest above Chemainus yesterday. 🌲🚲💧 #cowichan #bikesky #nature #forests #waterislife

moss rocks and lush green forest along a meandering creek

still waters in a pond surrounded by a dense forest of evergreens

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Needed to restock the house with my pre-ride and post-ride bike treats. Of course when I was at the grocery store I chose to support #Canadian 🇨🇦 #hawkinscheeziez #chapmansicecream #canada

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Children of the Corn something something 😆🌽 Huge cornstalks in the local farmers field here in #NorthCowichan roadside on my #bike ride today. #bikesky #cowichanvalley #vancouverisland #cycling

bike leaning against massive corn stalks in a farmers field

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

From tree to sea, winding along the Chemainus River on a Saturday mixed gravel and pavement ride. #bikesky #cowichanvalley #northcowichan #chemainus #vancouverisland

bikes leaning against a moss covered maple tree in the forest

bikes leaning against rocks alongside the Chemainus River

the Chemainus River estuary and shoal islands

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Here is a more direct photo of the woman in the mural, this work is so beautiful. 😍

bike leaning against a mural with waves and a woman holding a heron

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Absolutely loved this mural in Ganges as I am a huge fan of the traditional Japanese art styling for waves. This style most notably made famous by "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" created by Katsushika Hokusai in 1831 which also happens to be my favourite piece of art. 💙 #mural #bikesky #streetart

bike leaning against a wall with a giant Japanese art inspired mural with a pink bench in the foreground

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Proud to attend and celebrate the work by @northcowichan.bsky.social staff for their collaborative effort behind the creation of the course, with local government, community organizations, volunteers, and local businesses all playing a vital role. #discgolf www.northcowichan.ca/news/north-c...

North Cowichan staff and members of Council pose with the Cowichan Valley Disc Golf Board of Directors

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I always have a bag of Hawkins Cheezies in the house to do my part 🇨🇦 #canadastrong

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Mandatory bike and mural photo 📸 Ganges, Salt Spring Island, BC

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

This is what my Mt Maxwell ride looks like from yesterday on an elevation graph. The things we do for fun 😆 Finished the day just over 65km and 1200m elevation gain in that short distance 🥵 #bikesky #cycling #britishcolumbia #saltspringisland

steep mountain road grade sign for Mt Maxwell

BC Parks sign at the summit of Mount Maxwell

Vesuvius Ferry leaving Salt Spring Island back to Vancouver Island

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Cheers Kelly, here is the same vantage point looking to the left in the morning. Absolutely amazing here 💚⛰️

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Rode my bike across from #vancouverisland over to #saltspringisland yesterday to tackle the difficult ride to the summit of Mt Maxwell. ⛰️ 💚What an awesome ride, great summit views and beautiful weather 🚲 #bikesky #explorebc #explorecanada #ohcanada #cycling

Summit view of Mt Maxwell at the Baynes Peak lookout with my bike leaning against the fence

Maple Bay in the distance from Mt Maxwell summit

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

10km in and just about to hop on BC Ferries from Crofton to Salt Spring island to tackle the grind up the summit of Mt Maxwell. The don’t call it Hump Day for nothing 💪🏼⛰️ But there is always time for #coffee ☕️🚲 #cycling #bikesky #vancouverisland

Bike leaning against a post at the cafe with a sign that reads Third Waxe Coffee

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

This is where I slept to get that photo 🏔️🏕️

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Chris Istace 🇨🇦 @stasherbc.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

From my alpine archives 📸 Alpine Club of Canada hut sitting in the morning mountain shadow below 5040 peak. The sunrise is starting to light up the peaks across the valley while an inversion fills the lower expanses. Located in Nuu-Chah-Nulth Territory #exploreBC #explorecanada #vancouverisland

Alpine Hut on a mountain ridge with the valley bottom filled with cloud inversion and sunrise first light kissing the peaks across the way

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