Every Sunday, rain or shine, the weekly ride in the Vancouver area leaves Starbucks Coffee shop on Ontario St., south of Marine Dr. at the Canadian Tire entrance at 10:00AM. (Oakridge Centre, the old starting point, is undergoing major redevelopment and is not accessible for the foreseeable future.) The route, using designated bike routes, usually heads south on Ontario St. to Kent Ave. and east, through South Burnaby and to the Queensborough Bridge. We meet others at the south end of the bridge at 11:00AM. It’s then on to Richmond’s Watermania at the south end of No. 6 Rd. Riders usually bring their lunch as the food services there are rather limited. 

 

After lunch it’s off to Steveston for coffee and some good pastry.

 

We return to Vancouver via Railway Ave. and the Canada Line Bridge. The ride is approx. 60km with speeds varying with the riders.

 

If you’re parking your car at Starbucks be cautious as the parking lot has a time limit. “On street” parking is ok but check the  signage.

 

This ride is certainly varied as it passes through a rapidly changing residential area — a growing number of condos and higher structures. Near the Fraser River you cycle through an industrial area interspersed with some farmland. Once over the Queensborough Bridge the ride goes along the Fraser River and through both industrial and agricultural areas. A similar environment continues into Steveston and then through suburban residential areas to the North Arm of the Fraser before crossing into Vancouver. If the ride becomes onerous or you’d like to take it easy you can always use public transit. The Canada Line station is at Cambie & Marine and stops at 49th, 41st, King Edward, Broadway before going downtown.

 

For more details please contact Allan Buium at 604-875-6335.