65km ride through Suburbia

I usually save my long ride until the end of the good weather season, but this year I surprised even myself by taking a 65km or 40 mile trek early on.

Last week I missed an organised ride to Barnston Island, a small island in the Fraser River, linked to the shore by a small ferry. I lost a spoke the previous night and could not get to the repair store in time in order to get it fixed. I had the spoke fixed later; turns out another spoke was ready to pop.


From Adanac Co-Op it is a 1.5km trek to Gilmore Skytrain from there I took the skytrain to Columbia, swapped platforms and landed in deepest darkest Surrey at the King George station. Luckily I had picked up the Metro Vancouver cycling map when I was working as a bike valet in March.


It took me a while to get oriented and I was pretty close to connected to the bike path through the Green Timbers park area, but I missed it and travelled east on 96 Ave until I came to 148th. This was not too bad as I took a paved sidewalk away from the road on the north side of the street. At 148 st and 96 Ave I proceeded south for approx 100 meters and connected up with the east-west bike route.


The path is well made and follows a gas pipeline and with a strong tailwind I made good time eastwards. My only complaint at this point is where the bike route crossed the various streets the ramps where a little severe - still having a little lip on to and off the roadway. The path ends suddenly at 164 Street then you head back over to 96 Ave. There was supposed to be a bike path at least according to the map, I didn't see it, not very well marked if at all. However, it was at this point on a short incline that my rear wheel popped a spoke and then I decided it best not to take in the Barnston Island loop and head straight for the Golden Ears bridge. 96 Ave at this point had no shoulder to speak of however the vehicles were courteous enough to move over and give me enough of room.


The route along the Golden Ears way under the Trans Canada is new and in perfect condition. However, there was a diversion at 186st that sent cyclists back over to 96 Ave. However, I was soon directed back to the Golden Ears route and the over to Telegraph Trail, back on 96 to make the left turn on 201 St. However, in hindsight taking the north side of Golden Ears to 96A ave then 197st the 101 Ave would have been a more pleasant route to the curly wurly entrance on to the bridge deck. It also turned out had I been reading my map I passed a cycle shop on the corner of  96 & 201, where I might have got the wheel fixed.

The ride across the bridge was fun, lots of room and great views. At mid span I stopped and took a few pics and called my mum. A jogger stopped and told me about his 14 year old son who had lost his leg to cancer and had a rotationplasty, small world. He was very interested in how I had adapted my bike, which I haven't. Once on the Maple Ridge side I ran in to 3 gals and asked them where I might get the wheel fixed. They directed me over to Experience Cycling on Lougheed Hwy - a most unpleasant experience with long weekend Saturday traffic. The bike store was too busy so I wound my way back to the west side bridge entrance off Hammond Road and the veered off west towards Joyner Place then south on Bonson Rd toward the river. The houses in this area are huge !!! At the south end of Bonson Rd I took a few pics of the Katzie nation boats and the bridge then headed off road and on gravel along the dyke path that forms part of the Trans Canada trail.

It was a major relief to get away from the cars and the path was well-packed and in good condition even with a bit of a head wind the going was good. The trail had a few people on it but surprisingly quiet for a Saturday afternoon. I passed one jogger who called out "nice to see you again". She explained she was one of the cyclists that had given me directions earlier. Turns out they were in training for a half triathalon in Oliver and this was her jogging route. By the time I got to the new Pitt River bridge it was time for a drink and some granola. I made another call to my mum, letting her know I was on the way.

The unfinished area under the bridge is a bit messy still. It would be very difficult in wet conditions as this area consists of sand mostly. There is an unfinished path under the bridge to the north side to have access to the west. It was a bit tricky but I managed to scramble up the incline and get on to the deck. The Pitt River bridge is a smaller version of the Golden Ears bridge and from then on I was heading along Lougheed hwy to through Port Coquitlam mostly on the sidewalk as there was no lane for cyclists at all.


I made a turn north on Westwood heading for Caps Bikes, which likewise proved useless as they were "scheduling" for next Friday for my repair. I was thinking more like half an hour ! Regardless, I head off up Westwood to Glen the west to Lansdowne then over to Guilford and past the hospital to Ioco Rd then to my parents on Avalon for tea and biscuits.


I was tempted to stay longer but I was soon off eager to complete the trek under my own steam. The route between my parents and my home in Vancouver is very familiar having ridden it countless times over the last 25 years, however I have only ridden home westward only 2 or 3 times - mainly because of the hill at Kask concrete. The last time I did this hill I had to stop at the bus stop for a rest only to have a bus pull over. However, this time I had no need for a bus or even to stop I completed the hill with stopping at all, I barely broke in to a sweat. If you count the hill at Kensington this is the last hill before entering Vancouver and it is an easy general downhill after taking the Frances Union bike path at Fell Ave and Hastings.


Even after just seven hours of riding coming back home feels different. I felt like I had been on an adventure and been places and talked to folks I would never have otherwise. It was a rush to get home and post the photos on Facebook and tell the world all about my 65km suburbia trek.

It was at this point I made a serious error and that was not to have a large enough meal to replenish the calories expended during the day. Whilst I did not feel it until Sunday morning I cycled over to Commercial Drive only to find Dream Cycle likewise busy and not able to repair my spoke due to the long weekend. I got home exhausted and ate a big meal as soon as I could make it.