Roller Coaster and Scones - Mt.Lehman to Clayburn/Abbotsford BC

We waited for the weather on this one, postponing the trip a week but was it worth it! The sun was shining and we were toasty warm even though it's November.

This is a gentle rolling ride, mostly downhill for the first part then a climb back up to the car. But like the wait for the weather, this one's worth the climb.  


Through Bradner we cycled through rolling hills, past the Bradner Store (so glad some of these stores are still around) and discovered a couple of beauties that were as excited to see us as we were to see them. Friendliest pigs around and their big flapping ears made them look like the Flying Nun.

The route winds past the Mt.Lehman winery with it's spectacular backdrop of Mt. Baker. It had been raining for a few days and the air was clear. It felt like we could just reach out and touch the mountain. Where in the world are we? The vineyards of France? Mental note: be sure to see if winery is open on the next ride.


On the hill down towards the Matsqui prairie we came across a lot of crows and wondered what they were doing. We watched for a few minutes and they showed us. They were harvesting hazelnuts from the trees and dropping them onto the road to break open and get at the meat. Smart crows! And that's when we noticed that the road was covered in nut shells. Well, back went on our nutshells (helmets) and we rolled down the hill Wahoo-ing onto the Matsqui Prairie.

We had phoned ahead and knew the Old Clayburn Store was open, so that's where we headed for lunch. Visiting the tiny village of Clayburn is like stepping back in time. We took a small side tour to see the 1909 Village school and Church just down the road from the store. For lunch we had homemade soup (is Grandma cooking?) and Scones with Devonshire Cream! Mmmm...now I know why I like to ride. Where in the world are we? England? (This picture's for you, Bill.)

After lunch we headed north along Bell Road and picked up the Matsqui Trail (part of the TransCanada Trail) along the Fraser River. I was excited as there is alot of new trail built along this stretch and we were able to follow the river until the trail wound up the hill towards Mt. Lehman. This part wears off those scones, so you don't have to feel guilty anymore.


Just outside of the Olund Road we missed the turn off towards Mt. Lehman. We lost our way as the Matsqui Trail came out at Olund Road.  We were trying to follow part of the route in this book: Easy Cycling Around Vancouver by Jean and Norman Cousins. This is a GREAT book and I use often when planning a ride. I highly recommend you get a copy! Thank you especially to all the people who have shared their rides through books, blogs, bikely and MapMyRide. We appreciate the time you have taken to research, map and share all these rides.



Happy Riding wherever in the world you are!
Colleen


Here's the map: Remember to click on the box and scroll down to find View Full. You can upload this map to your gps or print it or look at it in Google Earth.




Here's the ride in Bikely:
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/RollerCoaster-and-Scones-Mt-Lehman-to-Clayburn

and here's the alternate MapMyRide following Ride # 27 in Cousins' Easy Cycling Around Vancouver  http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/canada/bc/-abbotsford/249125774110348459


Hope you enjoy either route!

Skytrain Trail BC Parkway and 7-11 Cycle Path from New Westminster to Burnaby to Vancouver BC

Today we parked near the 22nd Street Skytrain station in New Westminster, headed towards the Skytrain and picked up the trail heading west. The trees were at their best today -- brilliant reds and yellows.  It felt like a Foliage Fall Tour on the East Coast.

This BC Parkway 7-11 Skytrain Trail is a great urban ride along the old InterUrban train tracks starting in New Westminster, heading into Burnaby and then towards Vancouver.  The route is fairly flat and tucks in behind MetroTown Center and alongside Central Park.  I really liked peeking into back yards and seeing many interesting collections in yards along the way. There's old stores and my first school - Maywood Elementary along the route.

Some of the 7-11 trail signage seems to have disappeared over the years, but we followed as best we could and reached Commercial Drive in less than an hour.  The Drive is a great place to end your path -- head north and find a good spot for lunch.  Some of my favourites: The Little Nest on Charles at Commercial is amazing - great food and coffee and lots of parents and kids to watch.  Sweet Cherubim makes the best salad and vegie dishes,  Brittania Sushi for delicious sashimi and JJ Bean for coffee and a grilled cheese sandwich. If you fit in this tour at dinner-time, I highly recommend Carthage Cafe or  Havanas for a good coffee + food + art gallery, or Stella's for beer and mussels.  Of course there is so much more on The Drive!


Because the sun came out late today, we linked two routes together and followed the Central Valley Greenway down to False Creek and had lunch at my favourite Mediteranean spot -- Branas Mediterranean Grill at 617 Stamps Landing, right next door to Monks.  Lunch here is amazing (as would be dinner!).  It's inexpensive and the view is fantastic.  Everyone felt like we'd flown to the Mediterranean for lunch.  Well, I guess we had sort of flown -- down the pathway! (see details at http://www.colleenrides.com/2009/08/central-valley-greenway.html)

After lunch you can cycle back along the BC Parkway 7-11 Trail and retrace your route.  Today my cycle-mates kept saying "but we didn't come this way" --  it all looks different when you're heading in another direction.


Or -- if you've had enough or it's threatening to rain, then just load into the Skytrain Station at Commercial and Broadway and whisk back to the car.

All in all -- a great route. 12.6 km one way or 25 km return, fairly flat and easy

Here's the map in MapMyRide:

and on bikely.com:  http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Skytrain-Trail-7-11

Happy Riding!  Colleen

KSL Sports - Clothing

When we were in Montreal last spring visiting Kyle and Dom, Katy St. Laurent had just opened her first boutique store for her successful online sport clothing: KSL. The website is www.kslsport.com

 Katy is a champion cyclist with a love for sewing and design.  Put them together and she has made a fantastic line of sports clothing for cycling, tennis, yoga, cross-country skiing, golf and travel. She has an amazing dress that morphs into a dozen different styles. Katy has expanded her line this Fall.  It's easy to order from her as she guarantees and easy return if the items don't fit or ?

And she designs clothes with comfort and style both in mind -- I bought these Bianca top and leggings:


The Bianca leggings don't cut mid-calf, they have a soft band below the knees.  They can be worn alone or under pants for cold days.  The waistband is also soft and tall -- on cold days it keeps the draft out and on warmer days can be rolled down, much like a yoga pant.  The Bianca top has a hood that can fit under or over a helmet.  Like all of her tops, they are long enough so there's no gap at the back.
And everything is made of all the right stretchy-wicky-fabrics we love to wear.

Here's a picture of the jacket I bought this fall. What I love about Katy's styles is that they can go from riding into a restaurant and not look too LanceArmstrong-y.  Well, I'll have to do something about the helmet!!

Happy Riding -- in KSL clothes!

Colleen

Stop Drop Roll ... Poco to Maple Ridge Dykes

Rain forecast all week
Lots of rain
90% torrential rain

look out the window
see the sun
check revised forecast
--- sun !

pick up the phone
Spontaneity check
Wanna ride?

grab clothes
load bike
meet at Cornerstone

stop
drop
roll

Wahoo! Look at us
we're cycling on the dykes

Blueberry bushes brilliant red
Salmon thrashing in the Coquitlam River
Cranberries almost ready to harvest

Ride against the wind on the dykes
Tree down

Turn around

A ride squeezed into a week of rain







Here's the map...click on View Full to see it all.
Once you're in MapMyRide you can print it out (I think you need to join somehow.)
It's a 37km ride out and back

This ride is also posted on bikely.com
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Stop-Drop-Roll-Poco-to-Maple-Ridge

Happy Riding!  And get out there before winter's here!

Montreal Markets Ride Oct 2009

A cold October ride

along city streets

through piles of fall leaves

past row houses with winding stairs

along bike paths

church bells ringing

sun shining

people working in their gardens

through Petite Italie

to Jean-Talon Market

lunch in the sun

and lots of fruits and vegies to take home

Bikennale Sunday Oct 4, 2009

Come and join us Sunday Oct 4, 2009

for MEC's GREAT RIDE:

The Bikennale

Cycling and Art

Together at last

It's a great way to promote more rides and routes in MetroVan

as all proceeds go towards encouraging biking!

More info and registration at: http://www.greatrides.ca/home

Ladner Circle Tour

Step back into time in Ladner...

Park at Lions Park 4910 Westminster Avenue then head into town to pick up a sandwich or coffee.
Head west on River Road until you come to the bridge to Westham Island.  Head out to the Reifel Bird Sanctuary or continue along the dyke all the way around the edge of the island.

There used to be a good little ramp over the ditch at 34th Street which made for a simpler ride, but it's gone now so I kept going east.  It's a bit tricky (and noisy) when you come to the highway, but go under the overpass and cross the train tracks to pick up the bike path on the other side.  I found the TransLink Bike Map was really handy today to find the best route.

Here's the map ... View Full ... Print it out  ... Also posted on bikely.com 
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Ladner-Circle-and-Reifel-Bird-Sanctuary

Have fun!  Enjoy the ducks!  Colleen

view full

Some of you are asking how to see the whole map in MapMyRide


You need to click on view full

~  It's tucked away at the bottom of the MapMyRide box, just scroll down on the little arrows on the right side of the map box until you see view full.

~  Clicking on it takes you to the MapMyRide website where you can zoom in or out and overlay it in Google Maps, etc.  It should look like this when you scroll down:

~ and by the way - click on any picture and it will pop up large, too!

~  Have fun - and remember to share your rides on MapMyRide.com or Bikely.com

Campbell Valley Judi Ride 2009

My GPS had a great ride today in the Fraser Valley with Judi and her gang of do-ers....

She says, "we had a spectacular first day of Fall ride in South Langley in the Campbell Valley.

The Temperature today was close to 30 degrees, The ride was mostly on flat, quiet avenues, some were tree lined with large beautiful homes on acreage, on others we passed horse farm, llama farms, a rabbitery, even saw some goats and a few geese.

We did have to ride up one or two hills -  I think it was up 240th for a bit and I would have to look at the map to remember the other one.  But mainly flat with a few gentle upward slops.  Definitely nothing too strenuous.

The only busy road we had to travel was 16th Ave, but is was only for a very short duration.

We enjoyed our bag lunch and a wine tasting at Township 7 Vineyards and Winery near the end of our ride.  Our host Gail Simpson was a delightful woman who took our photos and plied us with several different wines.  All were delicious. We then happily wobbled our way back to our cars at Campbell Valley Park.... We all arrived safely.

On October 10th and 11th the Winery is having a "New Release Party" from 11 a.m. - 5 p;.m.  With Music and Food.

 Here's the 33.2 km route and the details.  And here's the map!  As usual, click on VIEW FULL to see it all.  I've also posted it on Bikely.  http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Campbell-Valley-Surrey-BC

Happy Riding ~ Colleen 

P is for Perfect! ~ Pitt Polder Ride 2009

The weather opened up and we headed for today's ride as planned, meeting at the east end of the almost-opened new Pitt River Bridge. We headed north along the dyke to Harris Road, then crossed over the bridge and turned right onto the next dyke then onto McNeil Road, turning north and following Rannie Road all the way to Pitt Lake. 

What a view! Mountains all around, cranberry fields on each side of the road and a flat route to the lake. By then our stomachs were growling so we stopped for a sandwich and watched a small yellow float plane head up the lake, then return a short while later. After lunch we headed east along the hard-packed dyke to do a little marsh exploring.



 At the end of the gravel road we turned south onto the rough road that follows along the mountainside at the east end of the Addington Marsh.  
Puffy white clouds reflected in the water looked just like an old English painting. Where in the World are we? 


Herons fished, ducks quacked, wildflowers grew beside the path, starlings flew in formation and a murder of crows chased a hunting hawk. But we didn't have time to stop for long -- we were on the hunt for a new route. And we found it, curving around the marsh and coming out onto Koerner Road then heading south just past the gate.

The trail took us out to Koerner Road and we turned south onto the dirt road. Just when a pit-stop was needed, what popped up? Oh those pesky bladders!

We stopped at Golden Eagle golf course to see if there was a road that way. The beer looked inviting, but it wasn't beer-o-clock yet... so we headed west on Ladner Road, south on Rannie/Neaves to see if we could find a different route back.  

And we did ... but what a detour -- just past McNeil we came to the bridge over the Alouette but instead of taking the north dyke, headed over the bridge to the south dyke which turned out to be a labyrinth of pitfalls: rough gravel that churned under our wheels, blackberry vines full of potential tire-popping prickles, a stinging bee and a horseshoe shaped trail that ended up taking us on a long trek eastward again. Unless you like bumps and such, stick to the north dyke!

A kind farmer left a pile of apples for passing horses. We thought that was pretty nice!




It was a LONG ride, full of new sights. When we got back to the car I checked the GPS and it said 29.5 We were all surprised that it was so short a ride, but put it down to meandering. When the map was uploaded to MapMyRide, the route read 47.4 km. I wondered what was wrong with the new Garmin GPS. Sharon figured it out -- the gps was set on miles. ah - ha !


All in all -- a perfect ride. Hope you enjoy it, too!



Here's the map ... at the very bottom, click on VIEW FULL to see it all.

Happy riding ~ Colleen ... + Sherry + Judi + Sharon

Round the Fraser

Here's a ride we did many years ago and wanted to try again -- Round the Fraser River.


We started off a bit awkward as I couldn't seem to get us off Marine Way, so instead of following my GPS map, maybe start off a little further west near the Waste to Energy Plant at 5150 Riverbend or at the bottom of Tillicum at the entrance to Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park.  

The area is changing rapidly with new warehouses going up and roads opening or closing.  Hopefully in the future there will be an easy connector along the riverfront all the way from the Quay.  (we can always hope).

The trails along this part are not meant for cyclists, so you know the rule -- get off the bike when people frown at you!  Hopefully Burnaby will revisit this policy as they are eliminating a nice group of park users who would rather meander through the park than plod along the road.  

There's a new connector along the river that joins the Fraser Foreshore route to the Vancouver parkway. And they have divided pathways -- almost heaven.  And anyways, we all know how to share a trail, right?  (check out who's on the wrong trail here--):  

This riverside route is flat, the view of tugs and barges is spectacular and with the crunch of fall leaves under the tires...well...I know -- back to the ride.

Our goal was to ride the new cycle path on the Skytrain, so once we were out of the parks we found the bike route along Kerr Street -- one of the GREAT bike routes that Vancouver is busy implementing (hooray).  

Whoever was instrumental in making this pathway along the skytrain happen -- I think you are a genius!   The surface is easy, the slope is easy and the view is fantastic.  Thankyou.

Once over the bridge we headed east along River Road. There's one little tricky spot, but well worth finding it.  Just before the lumber mill (yes -- those are logs rolling down the conveyor belt!) you will need to find a small opening in the fence and follow the route under the belt and out the other side.  This is an excellent example of creative routing and sharing the space.  

We continued along River Road and stopped at the Casino for a quick re-fuel (well it was beer-o-clock), then crossed over the Queensborough Bridge and back to our car.  You could also get to the start of the route by Skytrain to the 22nd Street station or maybe one east of that!  

All in all a great 33 km ride.  Here's the map -- click on Full View to see it all.

Happy Riding ~ Colleen

Cycling in the Rain

Now there's a fashion statement for everyone and here's Josie and I making ours.

My friends Falko and Joris picked up my cycling rain jacket in Hong Kong ~ apparently they are very common in China. I think it's the perfect accessory for cycling in Vancouver when a sudden rainstorm or a constant drizzle can leave you a little soggy. Josie's rain jacket is a custom design -- she picked it up at Safeway in Kelowna!!!

Ah-ha...just found some in Vancouver at

Green World Electric Vehicles Inc.

3010 Cambie St. Vancouver, BC

(604) 879 4559 e-mail: info@gwev.com

http://gwev.myshopify.com

TOLL FREE 1 877 ITS GWEV (487-4938)

and theirs have a see-through piece for the handlebars.  I highly recommend them!  Just think -- you, too can make a fashion statement -- and keep riding on those rainy days.

Cycle Clothing !!!!

I'm looking

for cycling clothing

and bike wear

that doesn't look like

Lance Armstrong!

I know you are out there --

designing shorts, jackets,

caps, and great things for

bike clothing like this great jacket

from KSL of Montreal

Katie St.Laurent, a champion cyclist combines a love of biking with her love of sewing and fashion and has created a line of clothing for biking, hiking, and skiing.

Here's her website: http://www.deploietesailes.com/veste_leona.html

(you can use Google's translator to read the French!)

Let me know if you are creating cycling clothing and I'll post a link to

your website...

and probably pick up some clothing, too!

Happy Shopping! Colleen

Great Rides

Now here's some great rides....

Details and registration at http://www.greatrides.ca/home

See you on the Bikennal Oct 4 !

#6 Round Richmond -~ Fish and Chips

Somedays you just know why you ride and this was one of those.

Francien and I started off in Port Moody to take the Westcoast

Express to town. We joined the office commuters riding the rails who seemed oblivious to the views out the windows of the train. Wow -- ocean, mountains, sunshine. How

could the commuters not glance up from their laptops?

We arrived at Waterfront Station and headed towards the new Skytrain to Richmond, got off at Marine Drive and rode the new cycle bridge over the Fraser. Where in the world are we now?

Desperate by then for a coffee, we poked around and finally found one, then headed towards the West Dyke Trail near the marina on Bridgeport. This section of the 'trail' needs a bit of work. The rails there are begging to be a bike path. We rode past the Olympic Speed Skating Oval which is astounding to see -- amazing architecture.

The West Dyke Trail never seizes to amaze -- again, where in the world am I? We watched turtles sunning amongst the lily pads then continued on to Garry Point -- like a glimpse of Cape Cod with its rolling dykes and wildflowers.

Fish and chips called from the seaside port of Steveston as we watched fishing boats come in with their catch.

Just east of the town is the reconstruction of the old Brittania shipyard and a glimpse into the past. The development is low-key and well worth stopping to listen to a few stories.

http://www.steveston.bc.ca/online/britannia.html

Finn Slough seems to be slipping away and there's a petition to sign if you'd like to see this pocket of life preserved. Something I'd like to see for sure -- we need these unique pockets of life.

Looking for a new way back to the skytrain we noticed a trail marked north and found the Shell Road Trail and a connecting trail back to the Bridgeport Station. I wonder what was here before? Was it a railway line? There's something very satisfying about a circle route and this one was amazing. I know there are dozens of trails like this that locals know about and I'd love to discover. Please let us know your local 'routes'. They are gems we love to find.

All in all a GREAT ride -- the Richmond Loop. Hope you can enjoy it one day. Let me know if you do! colleenmacd@gmail.com

The riding part took about 5 hours, including the stop for lunch and the museum, about 38 km all round. Here's the map -- click on FULL VIEW to see the whole thing:

Happy Riding! Colleen

#5 Central Valley Greenway and lunch in the Mediteranean...

Today's ride and lunch was on the newest amazing Central Valley Greenway in Vancouver -- a connection of trails all the way from New Westminster to Vancouver along the flattest route available. The route starts further east in New Westminster but today Francien and I parked at Hume Park to begin the ride.

The route follows the Brunette River and connects with the park trails along Burnaby Lake. Technically we're not supposed to ride these trails -- the actual Greenway travels along Winston Avenue, but...how can we go along the noisy road when the forest is calling? So, be sure to "walk" your bikes through these trails (wink). Which brings to mind -- how about a cycle path somewhere through this park? The cycle path could follow beside the walking routes, just like the Rocky Point paths in Port Moody. A logical spot is along the gas lines right-of-way. I used to ride this route years ago before the area was made into a park. In those days it was called the Sawdust Trail.

At Sperling Avenue there's a fantastic new cycling bridge that is an easy slope up and down. It's meant to connect the road bike path with the Still Creek section, so if you've done the right thing and followed the road, then you will be able to cross the tracks on this new bridge. I'm still wondering exactly why they put this expensive bridge in...could have just put in caution when crossing the rails signs, just like the ones at Caribou Road and Gilmore...but still it is an amazing bridge.

The Central Valley Greenway is an eclectic route along forested streams, behind

businesses, and under the rain canopy of the skytrain. It is a segregated route that weaves through a part of the city that most people don't even know exists. "Where are we?" was Francien's saying throughout the day.

Kudos to the planners of this route -- I particularly like the section between Sperling and

Gilmore -- hardpacked and well lit. Where am I here -- somewhere in Holland?

Another example of good planning are the wide pathways along Great Northern Way -- this is exactly what we need for a safe mixed user route. Let's see some more of these off-road pathways.

There are two art galleries on East 1st Street that are worth a stop -- Elliott Louis Gallery 258 East 1st Avenue and Catriona Jeffries Gallery which is nearby on the back lane. It was Monday, so we didn't expect them to be open, but the Elliott's garage door was open so we enjoyed the exhibit of emerging artists.

Now the important part -- where will we go for lunch? Once we reached Science World we had a choice -- which way should we go? "I know a place," I said, "follow me." We headed west alongside the new Olympic Village and followed the (still fantastic) Seaside Path to Stamps Landing. There, tucked beside Monk McQueen's is a little gem -- Branas Mediteranean Grill.

Sitting on the patio, overlooking the sailboats in the marina and the city in the background, munching into a grilled vegetable panini, it felt like we were in the Mediteranean. The tomatoes tasted like they were picked right from the vine in the owner's garden -- and they probably were!

We headed back along Great Northern Way and at Glen Drive boarded the Skytrain for the return. At Braid Station there's a small trail opening that goes alongside the old railroad tracks and winds down to Hume Park and the car!

All in all a GREAT ride. More pictures to follow... soon.

I am really excited that someone had the vision of putting this route together and actually made it happen! These kinds of routes will help to get more people comfortable with commuting cycling. I hope we are going to have more routes like this in Metro Vancouver. Click on FULL VIEW to see the whole map...

Happy Riding! Colleen

Lopez Island and Iceberg lunch

Here's a great ride on Lopez Island in the San Juan Islands.

We rented bikes at the Lopez Bicycle Works on Fisherman Bay Road. The owner said, "In summer I rent bikes and in winter I look for work." Not only are his good fleet of bikes in top repair, you can also buy some of his wife Linda's (delicious) Blackberry Jam and other canned goods.

The ride starts with a big climb, then is an easy trip on rolling hills through farms and along the coast with glimpses of the ocean. We stopped at Shark Reef park and spotted seals perched like anvils lying in the hot summer sun.

"Are we in Nova Scotia?" I asked looking out at the cove at the bottom of Richardson Road. We headed south along the beach and waved to the owner of the Mackaye Harbor Inn -- a bed and breakfast that is high on my list of Favorite Places to Stay.

Agate Beach is another fantastic place. The entrance to Iceberg Point is just past the beach. Park your bikes in the rack and go the rest of the way on foot. Trails criss-cross the park. We followed the trail along the cliff edge out to the very end. There we had our picnic lunch spread out on the rock. Our sandwiches were squished, but I think they taste a bit better that way. Again, it reminded me of similar rocky shores of Nova Scotia.

We took a different route back, zigzaging through more farms. My favorite was the hillside of yarrow -- spectacular. We were exhausted from the heat on the last stretch and were glad to get back to Lopez Village for the promised reward of a ice cream from the Lopez Island Creamery.

We found out later that that day was the hottest day ever recorded. Beer-o'clock on the boat never tasted so good.

Click on FULL VIEW to see the whole map...

Happy Riding! Colleen

www.mapmyride.com/route/us/wa/lopez%20island/263124935266173357

Moose Jaw Circle +

Moose Jaw is a great city for riding -- it's flat and there are fantastic trails around the city. Some of the sections need a bit of work and we lost the trail a couple of times, but here is our route (sort of): We rented bikes in Wakamow Park and checked out the park paths and tracks on the hills. We found the TransCanada Trail on the hill south of the park, then headed downtown to see the murals and pick up a trail map at the tourist information booth.

We made a quick stop in Crescent Park at the art gallery, then followed the urban trails and rode along Happy Valley, up to the Exhibition grounds to see the Burrowing Owls, then west along Spring Creek Park, south along Thatcher, then east along Thunder Creek and back to the park.

Here is the map... click on FULL VIEW to see the whole map...

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/canada/sk/-moose-jaw-saskatchewan/658124832115157587

This is the trail map from Moose Jaw Parks and Recreation:

La Tour de Nuit Montreal June 5, 2009

now here is organization
at it's finest
thousands of people
enjoying a leisurely ride
- at night -
through Montreal streets
and parks
spectators lining the streets
people bbq-ing in their yards
costumes
cheers
laughter
lights on pathways
through the dark spots
blocked off streets
a linear party

every city should have
one of these

Cycling in Turkey May 2009

top of the hill

an exhausting climb

looking down over the bay

our boat awaits

cruise down hill

we did it!

(click on pix to see the whole set)

more notes and route to follow

Colleen + Danny + Francien + Ali + Ian

I like to ride

and if you do, too

then send me your best rides

...ideas...suggestions...pictures

...thoughts...whatever

Maps and more!

Vancouver Cycling Map
This is the best map of bike paths in Metro Vancouver.
It is available at most bike/map/bookstores/drugstores/etc
in Vancouver.

Translink Bike Map -- online
http://www.translink.bc.ca/files/pdf/cyclemap/cyclemap_front.pdf


Want to find the best route on an Interactive Map of Vancouver?
Here’s the information in the Buzzer…
http://buzzer.translink.ca/index.php/2009/03/plan-your-cycling-trips-with-ubcs-online-map-tool/   And here’s the tool:   http://www.cyclevancouver.ubc.ca/

Bike Shops in Vancouver core:

Reckless Cycle on Davie   www.rektek.com
lots of shops near Stanley Park - Denman and Georgia

Bike and Bus

Gone too far?
Here's a great way to get back home!

#1 Vancouver Shores -- Vancouver's Best First Ride

Here's the first ride I think every visitor to Vancouver will enjoy. Start/stop at the Bayshore Inn at the north end of Denman Street. You can park near there and start right in on the shoreline bike path, or really, anywhere along the route works just fine.

If you only have time for a short ride, just do the park loop. Remember - you must start at Lost Lagoon and head NE as the bike path is a one-way counter-clockwise around the park.

Another option -- take any of the Harbour Ferries across False Creek to make an interesting sidetrip.

It's on MapMyRide. Click on FULL VIEW to see the whole map...

http://www.mapmyride.com/route/ca/bc/vancouver/552123795927859647



If you have more time (and energy) add on the Seaside Bike Path to Jericho and UBC. (see next ride)

#2 Seaside: Kitsilano to Jericho to UBC and back

Great views of the city and mountains. Add onto the Stanley Park and False Creek ride to make one great long day ride, or start near Granville Island and spend more time exploring UBC.

Here is the map... click on FULL VIEW to see the whole map...

#3 Port Moody to Belcarra

Pack a picnic lunch for this one, or better yet, stop at Divanos in Klahanie and pick up a sandwich.

Starting at Rocky Point Park in Port Moody, follow the easy and safe Shoreline Trail around the end of Burrard Inlet. There's lots of history here -- old pilings from the mill and lots of birds and ducks (my favourites).

As you pass Old Orchard Park (yes, it used to be an orchard), head out onto Alderside Road which joins up with Ioco Road. Continue west along this narrow and busy stretch. At the Ioco Church turn north and climb the first big hill, veering left where the road splits for the next hill. That's it for hills for awhile.

At the entrance to White Pine Beach, turn right and follow the road to the parking lots. You can go all the way around the lots and come back to the beach, but I usually turn left against the traffic (there's never traffic) and catch a bit of the lake view. There are two yellow gates just north of the stairs leading down to the concession stand. Go through the larger of these two gates -- the one with the dog walk sign. This is the old Bowser Road (love the connection there) and ride west all the way past Sasamat Camp. There's lots of loose gravel and big rocks on this road (it hasn't been grated in years), but continue on -- it will be worth it. Don't forget to look at the lake from time to time. And yes, if it's a hot day I recommend a swim. This is one of the nicest swimming lakes around MetroVan.

Turn left on Senkler and then right on Bedwell Bay Road. There are two choices along here:

1. The one I usually take is a small trail between 3477 and 3484. It's steep and has loose gravel so I walk the bike until it levels out.

2. The route for road bikes is to continue up the hill to Kelly Avenue and coast down with the most fantastic view up Indian Arm.

Turn left on Marine Avenue and ride west, through the yellow posts onto a connecting trail for the two sections of Marine. At the yellow park gate, go through and where the trail splits, take the left trail beside the tennis courts. You can go up onto the road or turn right and head west along the trail towards Belcarra Park. You may have to walk a bit along here -- a few bumps and gravel. It's just a short connection, but you do get a bridge and a creek!

Once you're in Belcarra, ride around a bit and then head back to Belcarra Park for the return trip. Behind the concession stand, find the start of the Springboard Bike Trail. Follow the trail up the hill, through the Emily Carr Forest, past Woodhaven Swamp, cross the road and coast down towards Thermal Road. Stay right at the stop sign and climb your last hill (it's a big one), past White Pine entrance and back to Ioco. Your route back is along the same one that brought you out. Just before you get back to Rocky Point, head into Klahanie and have a coffee at Divanos. Mmmmm....my favourite!

Here is the route ... click on FULL VIEW to see the whole map...

Happy Riding! Colleen.

Belcarra Loop

If you are out in the Belcarra area, this is the route I do in the mornings -- it's a quick ride -- about 45 minutes or so.




another option: start at Port Moody and then do the Belcarra Loop

Tour de Hrvatska

limestone houses
red tile roofs
turquoise water
barren hillsides

villages nestled in valleys
church bells ringing
narrow alleys
rocky fields
lavender growing wild

climb the hills
straight up
higher
hotter
keep going
we re going where...
up there...
stop for water
catch your breath
peddle harder
lower the gears
can't believe I'm climbing this
mountain

reach the summit
WAHOO
and down the other side
cruising
flying
riding
and gliding
down
down
down

watching the boat slip
into the port
tucked into a tiny blue cove

I DID IT !!!!

dinner bell rings
laughter
stories
about the climb
and the descent

looking forward to tomorrow

wish you were here !!!!

(click on any of these pictures to see the whole set in Flickr)

Go Dutch

who knew
Holland was
only
one hour away
in Lynden Washington

giant windmill
dutch architecture
wooden shoes
flowers galore

cycling through
raspberry fields
forever
drinking in the scent
as the harvester
picked
raspberries
for
market 

fresh blueberries
for lunch

an old farmhouse
kitchen
painted blue !

listening to
calves
lowing
in the fields

a horse
called Ivy

Frankenstein?

and Mount Baker
on the horizon

another great cycle day !

(click on any pix to take you

to the Flickr set)

Tiptoe through the Tulips 2006

Load up bikes
drive to Mt.Vernon
ride west
through
fields and fields
of tulips
red
yellow
tulip heads dancing
in the breeze
cycle to LaConner
lunch with the seagulls
back through the fields
home again



More info about the Skagit Tulip Festival: http://www.tulipfestival.org/

The Art of Cycling 2006

Jeannette, Francien, Judi and I 

started up the hill 

at Myrta Hayes pottery studio, 

cycled along Alderside Road 

to Gay Torlay's amazing studio, 

headed up the hill to Tammi Pilon's, 

and followed the creek to Maggie White's. 

La Mercante made a delicious lunch 

and then we explored 

around Queen's Street Square, 

visited Alison Philpott 

at Sheila Francis' renovated heritage office, 

and smelled the flowers at Vivio. 

We found Glenn Atkinson 

at the Perry Roe building, 

stopped in at the old City Hall gallery, 

the little yellow garage studio 

of Martha Melmetis 

and the saw the Spirit Bear sculptures 

of Ross Agro. 

In time for tea and scones 

at The Muse, 

we enjoyed a Korean concert. 

Over the new bridge, 

a stop at the Electronic Arts 

and back to our cars at the Rec Centre.

Port Moody is now the City of the Art of Cycling.