Boudicca

Heading to Vancouver for work in 10 days and I reckon pre-work rides are the only thing that will keep me sane over three weeks of Olympic madness. So I'm packing the Bike Friday and planning early morning jaunts round Stanley Park, which is reportedly moderately close to the hotel I'm staying in. Is that a good idea for morning rides or is the traffic nasty? Is there anywhere else I should be looking at? And are there clubs that welcome casual riders of an evening or a weekend -- if I ever get time to do anything like that?

During the season I'll do 80km with ease, but probably less than that in the rather heavy Friday, which also may not have the gearing for Vancouver hills. And of course my biking muscles are sadly out of shape during a Toronto winter. I'll take rain gear of course, but may stay home if it's really, really wet out there.

Any tips welcome, either here or by pm.

Chilled

Riding around Stanley Park is a pleasure. Just be well lit up and you won't have a problem. You may be pleasantly surprised by the amount of bike routes around Vancouver. Check out for more info;

https://cvtest.soeh.ubc.ca/olympics.aspx

https://www.translink.ca/en/Cycling/Cycling-Routes.aspx

spinninwheels

Were you planning on riding around the seawall, or actually on the road and climbing up towards Prospect Point? The seawall ride is beautiful and flat, but it will probably be congested. There are dogwalkers, bladers, joggers and cyclists. But that may depend on how early you plan on riding.

Taking the road, up and down through the park will definitely give you a better workout, but I guess it depends on how much of a workout you want.

If you ever have the time, ride up over the Lion's Gate and get yourself onto Marine Drive (it involves a bit of an explanation). Then head west towards Horseshoe Bay. When I lived there, it was my absolute favourite ride. But there are many variables to consider: time of day (traffic), temperature (wx), road conditions and how much time you have. It is hilly, with lots of twists and turns, and an awesome view of the ocean.

I can't wait to get back there.

jdon

The ride through Stanley Park isn't that long unless you ride the road one way to English Bay then double back through the park on the seawall.

I lived in Burnaby and rode Hastings to Georgia Street, then around Stanley Park, through English Bay and out to Jericho, Point Grey, around the UBC Endowment lands then Granville back through town and eventually returning via Hastings. It was a great ride.

I highly recommend the park around to Point Grey. It's a pretty route and would probably be around 30 miles? Not before work but maybe a weekend ride?

Any gearing would be fine for the areas mentioned. On the whole, Vancouver is a cyclist aware city. You will be in good company.

Enjoy your trip. I will be out there for the RTCC and then riding the Coquihalla to the Meritt area next summer.

spinninwheels

I should have been more specific...though this is a short circuit, I usually did laps. That way you can time yourself and not have to worry about running late for work.

jdon

I just saw on the news this evening that part of the seawall is closed during the Olympics for security purposes.

Boudicca

I suspect a lot of things will be closed from next week. I was thinking the road anyway. I'm not a great fan of sharing my precious bike time with joggers and dogwalkers. I rode it once a long time ago on a clunky rental bike with fat, fat tires, but can't for the life of me remember how long it took. The Friday will be a dream after that one. I really don't know how much time I'll have to ride during the week or at weekends, but reckon an hour in the saddle three times a week is an awful lot better than nothing. Thanks for all the input so far, and any other ideas welcome.

overthehillmedi

the portion of the seawall being closed is by the olympic village not the stanley park seawall.

jdon

Ah. That will teach me to take the words of the CBC literally.

trustnoone

That's nearly the same ride I did regularly in the summer of 1989. From north Burnaby I took Dundas Street through Gas Town (for the cobbles) and came back via the skytrain path near Kingsway and north on Boundry road which is a good hill.

+1 on Point Grey and UBC.

jdon

Boundary is a good climb! I used to climb Gaglardi Way up Burnaby Mountain to SFU and up Mt. Seymour as well. Living in TO, I miss having lengthy climbs.

yarb

Stanley Park Road is a great circuit of about 9.5k, rolling with one nice short climb up to Prospect Pt, although the surface is pretty patchy right now.

SFU is a fun climb too, although I find it pretty boring riding out there from downtown on the Adanac / Union bikeway.

The other classic rides have been mentioned: Horseshoe Bay via Marine, UBC via NW / SW Marine (a different Marine). There's also Deep Cove - out via Dollarton Hiway and back on Mt Seymour Pkway.

If it's a nice morning, go and watch the sun rise from the Lions' Gate Bridge.

Boudicca

Did my first ride today -- hotel to Stanley Park, round the loop, spotted a small patch of blue sky over Cypress Mountain, and then back in time for breakfast. Lovely loop, with just enough of a hill for a workout. Thanks to all for the suggestions.

Just wish it got light a little earlier.

yarb

Cpngratulations on picking this freakishly balmy February for your visit to Van! The last few days have been orgiastic for bike riding.

Hope you're taking advantage.

jdon

We need an update Boudicca. You had spectacular weather so tell us your thoughts.

Boudicca

I had a blast. I was pretty busy, and people kept scheduling conference calls for 8am, so I could only ride every second or third day. But it was so worth bringing the bike that it wasn't true. It kept me sane. I even had a conversation with someone about Bike Fridays. He slowed down to my pace just to ask about her. I mostly did the road, with that nice little hill in the middle, but did the seawall twice, once just to see what it was like, and once because I was really running out of time and figured it might be a little quicker. It probably wasn't, but it was at the very start of the hockey final, so there was nobody to get in the way.

Beautiful city and beautiful ride. Can't wait to come back.

jdon

Glad it went well for you!