[klamyfeat]

What are people's favorite routes around the Lower Mainland? I'm trying to add new scenery to my bike rides besides the UBC/Iona/Cypress mountain favs.

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[grey_falcon]

personally i prefer the bc parkway... you know that trail that runs under the skytrain.. then there's that trail thats on the south side of false creek that runs from science world to UBC...

[Burkevillebrewr]

If you do UBC keep going south along Marine Drive, across the Arthur Laing bridge and out to Iona Island park. Little traffic and lots of planes to watch. I have done this one lots and there are lots of roadies that do this as part of a UBC loop. As well, Zero Avenue is very nice, good rollers and you can finish in White Rock.

[ride-for-life]

Pitt Meadows & Maple Ridge back roads

[NaBlade]

For a 30 mile loop, I like to do the first 10 miles in Vancouver heading out to Jericho from East Van then south on Angus Drive to Arthur Laing Bridge. Alternately I can do the UBC loop.

After Arthur Laing Bridge, take the next 20 miles in Richmond. Follow Russ Baker Way onto No. 2 bridge then right on Granville, continue onto Railway going south. Pretty wide bike path here. Right on Moncton, left on No.2 which will take you to Dyke Road. This is a nice ride; the water is just to your right. Dyke Road starts in No. 2 and ends in No. 5 with a short break in Finn Road (farmlands).

From No. 5 you can head back to Vancouver via River Road (take No.5 all the way north). This will take you back to Arthur Laing. Or from No.5, take Steveston and No. 6 for more farmlands and take Westminster Highway towards Queensboro. Don't take Queensboro though, turn around and take River Road. Again, another nice segment with the water to your right. You then have a choice of taking Knight St. Bridge or Arthur Laing.

For a nice 3.5 mile climb, I go to Gagliardi and Burnaby Mountain. From Vancouver, take Ontario bikeway south, Kent Ave East, SE Marine Dr, Southridge, 10th Ave in New West, Cariboo onto Gagliardi. Or take Lougheed to Gagliardi.

[klamyfeat]

Great suggestions NaBlade! Thanks!

[VanCityJ]

Pitt Meadows & Maple Ridge back roads
I'll agree with this. I prefer it better than 0 ave/ 8th ave because there's a lot less traffic and nicer views IMO.

[pista]

Lived in White Rock. I rode to Harrison Hot Springs. Took 0 Avenue to Abbotsfrord, worked my way thru Chilliwack and onto Old Yale Road to Harrison. Had a late luch and then road back the same way. Very easy ride. O Avenue does have it's rollers though. One good thing about this ride is you don't have to carry 4 water bottles because there plenty of mom and pop grocery stores and gas stations to get drinks and cholocate bars or whatever to keep you pumped up. A nice peaceful ride. I plan on doing this one again.

The most agonizing ride I've done in the lower mainland was to the Hope Rock Slide viewpoint. I stared out in Chilliwack, took the side roads to Crows Nest pass and on wards. What an unrelenting climb. The descent was wonderful. I like a good fast descent. I hit over 110 km per hour at one point. Scary for some but I like speed. Not bragging, but in my racing days I loved the descent and would pass guys one after another, carving out the turns. Boy that was fun. I find most cyclist are not good descenters. They can't take the speed. However, in retropect, descenting is really an acquired skill.

Another good ride is from the West End to Squamish and back. Beautiful views, gut buster climbs and really fast descents. Just go over the Lions Gate Bridge, go west on Marine drive to Horseshoe Bay, got up past the ferry terminal and on you go. Beautiful views but somewhat limited in getting supplies like food and drink. I think I only drank 2 litres before filling up in Squamish.

Mount Seymour is another good ride - not too long. It's about 10 miles to the top, an unrelenting climb that will make your legs burn, make you swear and sweat like a pig. You reach the parking area, rest for a while, tank up of water and Rice Krispie bars and start bombing down the mountain. Fast, very fast. Watch for a couple of hairpin turns though.

Have fun.