domokun

Didn't do any biking since highschool and I'm pretty fresh to all this... just recently bought a mountain bike to enjoy the good weather..

Cheers

zoogirl

Hey, welcome from Surrey!

I've been riding a bike since I was six, but I'm not exactly up on all the technicalities either. Don't worry, this place seems pretty "Newbie Friendly". It also covers pretty much every style of bike ever made and a few they thought up themselves

You might also want to check out "Foo" and the Entertainment threads. Lots of good general interest stuff going on.

See ya on the boards and on the road, but remember -

Please don't leave boards on the road!

closetbiker

Hi from Richmond.

I list my location as Vancouver so it's clear the area I ride.

Lots of experience and stories here for you to enjoy.

domokun

thanks for the tip ! I live in Richmond so there's no where to go other than the flat trails. Do you ride in Surrey?

Seems like this place has a lot of tips... I just want to learn to fix my bikes...and all... especially if i end up in the middle of no where.. that's the knowledge that i need...lol.

domokun

im from richmond, too.

can't think of anywhere else to ride other than through Shell Road ...and around the ****s.

zoogirl

Yeah, I ride in Surrey, but just back and forth to work. I'm actually in Whalley, so I like to ride fast, if you get my meaning! So far, I'm down three bikes, one of 'em brand new, but they've never actually got one while I was on it - so far.

I'm not all that familliar with Richmond, but starting next week I'll be working out there every Saturday. I'll probably Skytrain it to 22nd, grab a bus with a rack to #6 and ride the rest of the way.

Today's my one and only day off, so I'm heading out as soon as there's a break in the sprinkles. Now, which bike to choose...

closetbiker

I live on the **** in Steveston, but I almost never ride on it. Too many people getting in your way, gravel isn't a good surface and it doesn't really lead to any place. I ride on the roads all over the lower mainland but my favorite rides are out to UBC, Stanley Park, SFU and Horseshoe Bay. Mostly, I commute to the airport for the last 20 years.

konageezer

Greetings, fellows travellers of the GVRD.

Good to know that others are on the road and on the forum.

Hey, Zoogirl, let me put a question to you: Is it possible to obtain a cycling map of Surrey? I have a patchwork of maps from all the other municipalities, but can't seem to get one for sunny Surrey. A Surrian coworker said she'd try to find me one, but that her local rec centre didn't have any. Just between us, I question the level of her commitment.

One of my fave rides is to go down from Vancouver to White Rock (though the railway trestle at Mud Bay is a bit nerve-wracking). The only route I can plot on maps is through the Disease Island tunnel and along Boundary Bay. I did muddle through Surrey on the return trip once, which amounted to riding up King George and then along 64th to the Alex Fraser. It seemed to me that there were bike paths, but I wasn't up for random experimentation.

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

konageezer

zoogirl

There is a bike path, but I've never tried to ride it for any distance. It follows the Hydro lines across town, more or less East to West. I think it's kind of broken up. The stretch I use takes me from 128th and about 90th to Scott and 88th. That bit follows the lines then becomes a shared/partially split path along 88th. I've also seen chunks of it near 140th and the Fraser Highway. I generally just use the roads and the little yellow mapbook.

There's also bits of bike lanes along Whalley Ring Road, but I wouldn't recommend the scenery!

I don't quite know where I'd find a map if it's not available on-line. Chances are, your co-worker and I would be trying the same Rec Centre. Sorry, but if I do come up with anything, I'll certianly let you know!

domokun

nice. I work in Langley on a construction site. It's too far to bike for me since it takes 40 minutes on the highway just to get there.

If i ever work closer, I would bike.

domokun

cool! with such nice weather, I'd love to take my bike everywhere. thanks for the tip !

domokun

check out maps.google.com

there's an option to view map from satellite images. It shows a lot !

closetbiker

You can always look at this link for maps for cycling from the Vancouver Area Cycling Association.

https://www.vacc.bc.ca/maps/index.html

konageezer

Thanks for the input, everybody.

Helpful suggestions in the absence of an actual map.

I can't help but get the impression that Surrey doesn't actually WANT me to be cycling through.

Nevertheless, I shall endeavour to persevere.

closetbiker

I thought they would let you into Surrey only if you owned a pick-up.

You know what they say, "Living in Richmond means never having to say you're Surrey"

zoogirl

Okay, before this goes any further, I already know all the "Surrey Girl" jokes, thanks.

How about this, though? -

What do Whalley kids get for Christmas?

Whiterock kid's bikes!

bikerbob1

Super bike map of Surrey available through Surrey Parks. I picked mine up from the Semiahmoo library. Other libraries would probably have it available as well or City Hall

closetbiker

You could try to ride over the Queensborough bridge and then down River road to your destination. How far into Richmond is your destination?

https://www.richmond.ca/parksrec/ptc/cycling/map.htm

zoogirl

#6 & River Road, more or less.

My problem is time. I have to get back over to the zoo because I have a Saturday volunteer. I'm coming from around 128 & 104 in Whalley.

closetbiker

Ah, time. The logistics can always be a problem.

It would be nice to go down that hill from 104th to the bridge, but there are all those turns and traffic to get around, so I don't know how long that would take. Maybe the Skytrain is your best bet there. Same with the portion between 22nd street station and the bridge, but I think the part from the bridge to 6 road should take only 20 minutes or so (for me, or so I guess - it's been a while since I rode the route) on very nice stretch of road along side the river.

I used to ride the **** road from Steveston to 6 road down to River road to Queensborough and back and enjoyed it. Lately I've been riding on the west side of the city (South West Marine Drive, UBC, Kits, Stanley Park, up into West Van, and if I have enough time - who does anymore? - Horseshoe Bay)