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July 27, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Vancouver, Cycling
Find more information about Vancouver, Cycling
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Connecting downtown Vancouver to Surrey is the convenient Skytrain. Following underneath the Skytrain for the majority of this journey is the 7-11 bike path. Starting at Science World it goes all the way to Richmond. On the way, you will pass Commercial Drive (home to great yearly events like the
Car Free Festival), as well as Trout Lake which hosts one of Vancouver’s
Farmers Markets. You will pass through
Central Park in Burnaby which is a great break from the traffic. Stop off at
Metrotown for a spot of light shopping. Or, rest with a coffee and a small treat at Choices Market In The Park at
Edmonds.
Even though the majority of the 7-11 pathways are on trails there are a few spots where you will be on the road. A helmet will give you extra reassurance that you are safe and is mandatory under BC law.
From Science World to Metrotown there are a few good sharp hills. They are not too bad, if you get tired, step off and walk your bike up. If you are anti-hills, Skytrain out to Metrotown (as it is at the highest point) and bike towards downtown, the ride is very easy and enjoyable. Bikes can be taken on the Skytrain any time except from 7-9am and 4-6pm Monday to Friday.
So, get on your bike, enjoy the summer sun and explore beautiful Metro Vancouver.
April 15, 2009 | Tips from Travellers > Cranbrook, Cycling
Just north of Cranbrook is a peaceful, easy biking trial that I love to ride. It's called Isadore Canyon Trail - named for an historic leader Chief Isadore (Chief of the Ktunaxa Nation in the late 19th century). It's an old gravel & dirt railbed that winds through undeveloped countryside. Side trails provide access to the maze of trails through the Cranbrook Community Forest, which skirts the city of Cranbrook to the south & east. Here you can build muscle and character testing out what some would probably consider small moutainsides. For me, they are a nice WALK!
The trail is part of the Trans Canada Trail system, so you can find it on tctrail.ca (trail locator #10-0040). I prefer to join the trail at midpoint, outside of the city. There's a small parking close to the highway overpass at the north end of Cranbrook. Access is off a small businesess frontage road shortly before the overpass on the city side: look for Ranchers Supply and Sandor Rentals. The trail takes you past a swampy area that often has wildlife around and in it. There are a few picnic tables along the way, some close rocky canyons and some wide open spaces. It provides a nice mix of sun & shade on summer days. The trail links into ranchlands at the north end. It is rarely "busy" but I do sometimes cross paths with families and other "easy bikers" like me.
This trail would be a great break from highway for anyone biking through - say to Fernie - one of the most popular mountain biking destinations in Canada. And there's a rails to trials project in the works as well, which will open up a railbed between Cranbrook & Kimberley. I can hardly wait!
August 24, 2008 | Tips from Travellers > Pemberton, Cycling
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Sample locally-grown produce and West Coast scenery by bicycle
Slow Food Cycle Sunday is a free one-day tour
organized by the community of Pemberton (north of Whistler, Canada) to
increase awareness and appreciation of their growers and suppliers.
This year three friends and I joined more than 2100 cyclists to on the 50 kilometers of country
roadway that linked 12 participating farms. The ride is non-competitive, family-friendly and delicious!
From the official Slow Food Cycle Sunday web site:
“The World Watch Institute reports that the average food item
eaten in North America has traveled 2500-4000 km from farm table. The
distance between good food and your table is as short as a 26km bike
ride.
Sea to Sky’s signature agritourism event, Slow Food Cycle Sunday
Pemberton blows the fast-food drive-through away. A pedal-powered trip
through the natural buffet that is Pemberton Meadows farmland, to meet
local growers and sample produce fresh from the field.
Next year’s event is scheduled for August 16, 2009
August 21, 2008 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Cycling
Find more information about Vancouver, Cycling
My recommended rollerblading afternoon around part of the Seawall in Vancouver. I have to admit I cheated a bit, the woman in the video is my wife...
July 2, 2008 | Tips from Travellers > Vancouver, Cycling
Find more information about Vancouver, Cycling
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The Stanley Park seawall loops 8.8 km around the park and is must-do for Vancouver locals and visitors alike. It’s paved, which makes it a great place for a bike ride – especially if you’re looking to avoid hills.
You can also walk or rollerblade around the seawall; the pedestrian path is separate from the “wheel” path (bikes, rollerblades, skateboards) to keep things safe.
As I’m biking I like to keep my eyes on the sky and the water to look for wildlife that’s out and about. Today I saw six herons fishing, a bald eagle sitting on a rock by Third Beach, and loads of crows cracking mussels.
No seals spotted on this particular ride, but I do notice their glossy heads peeking out of the water quite often. If it’s low tide, I like to pull over to look for bright purple sea stars hanging onto the rocks (or hanging halfway out of a greedy seagull’s gaping mouth).
Some tips for first-time seawall users:
- There are lots of bike and rollerblade rental places near Denman and Georgia Street.
- If you’re on wheels, ride the seawall in a counterclockwise direction. That means starting from Denman and Georgia and working your way towards English Bay. There is a large one-way section in the middle and you don’t want to be going the wrong way.
- If you’re walking, stay off the “wheel” path and watch for oncoming traffic when crossing that path. Pedestrians can walk around the seawall in either direction.
- Bring your camera! There are great views of the mountains, water, beaches and the city along the way.
- Head out in the morning when it’s least busy – it makes for a very relaxing ride.
- When you’ve finished and have worked up an appetite, grab a bite to eat on Denman Street. There is a huge variety of food here, including sushi, pizza, falafel – even a shop that sells nothing but cupcakes. My personal favourite is to order pizza to go from Nat’s New York Pizzeria and eat on the beach or grass in English Bay.
For a map of the seawall, as well as some of the landmarks and nature you’d see along the way, visit: http://vancouver.ca/parks/parks/stanley/
April 30, 2008 | Tips from Travellers > Nanaimo, Cycling
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Newcastle and Gabriola Islands are small islands less than 5km off east coast Vancouver Island's city of Nanaimo. They're part of a group of islands in the Strait of Georgia locally known as the "southern Gulf Islands". Both are accessible by ferry.
Newcastle Island has been home to Coast Salish First Nations villages, a sandstone quarry, and a resort. It is now a car-free parkland with trails and a campground. Gabriola Island is an island village of 50 square kilometres and 4,500 residents. It has a seaside campground, nearby pubs and cafes, a farmer's market, and small deer.
View a few photos by following this link:
http://www.ulrike.ca/2007/09/cycling-newcastle-and-gabriola-islands.html
April 25, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Sechelt, Cycling
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The Rat race is held on trails above Roberts creek and Sechelt. May the 5th I think is when it is. You can bike the trails around here anytime. The bike shop in Sechelt has maps and rentals too. Along with Kayaks at the Kayak store on the other side of the store. Snow shoes and skies in winter and Bikes all the time. Come play in the Banana Belt. They call it the Sunshine coast for a reason more sun then Vancouver and less congestion.
April 12, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > North Vancouver, Cycling
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The 10 km
Seymour Valley Trailway is a little-advertised gem in north Vancouver. Running up the Seymour valley, it is a wide, paved trail, excellent for bikers and rollerbladers of all ages.
Tip: got to the end of the paved trail, park your bike and hike through some beautiful stands of old-growth forest. Or visit the salmon hatchery nearby.
February 21, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Whistler, Cycling
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February 20, 2007 | Tips from Travellers > Fort Langley, Cycling
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I have bicycled in Canada on five different occasions and lovedit every time. My last trip was from Vancouver to Calgary. We loved the scenery and found the Canadian poeple warm and welcoming. The roads and drivers were excellent too. I am returning this summer to bicycle from Calgary again!