Dist (not counting Ferry) 90 km (30 k to the ferry. 1.5 Hr, 116 Hr, 840 cal), no further stats
07 22 2012
It was a fine weather day as I happily rolled into a quiet downtown Victoria and onto the "Johnston Bridge" to access the 'Lochside Regional Trail' http://www.crd.bc.ca/parks/documents/lochside_trail_guide.pdf
Almost never seeing a car till Sidney, I was in heaven. Actually I had one potential altercation with a guy blocking the trail as other riders were heading towards me. Idiots are everywhere. Otherwise, it was a fantastic stress free roll through a diverse collection of forest, funky neighbourhoods, industrial lands and farmlands. I decided to hop on to the Hwy for the final 5 km or so. This portion of today's ride was about 30 km.
Once on the ferry, I dial in my "Ferry Routine". Zoom onto the boat for a prime lock up (there is no proper bicycle area aboard this multi-million $ boat.) Then fly up stairs to calorie corral and dial in an over-priced breakfast served by an over-paid union worker and then onto the over- paid union cashier. Take coffee to prime seat after shoving said food down feed hole. No prime seats available now, but I make do. Dial in tunes and sketch book and/or map. Aaaahhhh....
Oh, look at that, there's a guy doing very perfect push ups slow and methodically. At the front of the boat where seats are a premium with many onlookers. I wouldn't mind doing some upper body workouts too, like maybe chin-ups on an Exit sign, maybe. But I don't want to look like a Goof. Or more of a Goof than now. That guy is a goof. But I'm strangely jealous.
After the ferry, I headed North towards the mountains where I reside. Or perhaps, rule would be more fitting.
The only problem is that there is no cycling route across or under the Mighty Fraser River. The George Massey Tunnel does no accommodate cyclists. (the original plans called for a bike portion, but was not implemented). Anyway, we've bin here before, but this time, we found a solution to the Tunnel dilemma..
I found a shuttle pick-up area for cyclists needing to cross the river. There is a large info board displaying the pick up times. Apparently the next pick up was within a reasonable wait of about 20 minutes. Great ! Next was around 2 hours later. I waited longer than needed and called the # on the info board. The voice said that the driver should be there. Anyway, after waiting longer, I called again to find out that the driver was at a nearby gas station. I could see the shuttle at the gas station and I was fuming at the idea that he was sitting there while I was waiting for an hour now. Do I go over there, or do I wait, what is he doing ? RRRRRRRGGGHHH ! I'm absolutely FURIOUS NOW. I gathered my stuff and rode over there to find 'Habeeb' standing there chatting with the gas clerk.
I asked "What the Hell are you doing ?" He said that everyone comes to the gas station for pick up.
I asked this total idiot: "When a tourist arrives by bike and needs to get to Vancouver, how are they going to know that the pick up location is at this gas station ?" His response "Everybody comes to the gas station"
I got through the tunnel, and miraculously, Habeeb lived another day to anger future travellers.
Once into Richmond, I picked up the "Canada Line" skytrain route to Cambie Street, Stanley Park, 3rd Ave, then Lonsdale area.
An easy ride. But before leaving the downtown core, I stopped at the Blenz Coffee shop for snacks and Joe. (the foot of the Cambie Bridge)
Was a nice break to this "Homecoming"
The remainder was uphill... It always is.
Damn them hills ...
The End.
The Johnson Bridge to Lochside Trail...
A nice spot to get the boat out
Funky bridge
Trail tunnel ...
Tree conduit ...
quiet here
Highway approach to the ferry terminal
Waiting for the Ferry to Tsawwassen...
Arriving at Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal
A diversion from Hwy 17 just south of the Massey Tunnel
Perfect ! What do you mean "No Pets?! HWC exempt of coarse
The same as above, but with comic bubbles.
This was not a happy hour. I hate when people make their own rules.
Bike route under the "Canada Line Skytrain" bridge across the Mighty Fraser to South Van from Richmond...
Multi-use lane on Cambie Bridge to downtown Vancouver. It can get pretty congested at times with walkers, runners, cyclists, and dragons.
Stanley park Causeway to Lions Gate Bridge and North Vancouver
Foot of South end of Lions Gate. HWC was very proud. She wouldn't shut up about the cat thing for hours later (Cats rule this world or something like that)
The great 'lions' of our time. Roar.
Facing east from Lions Gate Bridge. Burrard Inlet
Lions Gate Northbound. Amazing how safe it is now. The bridge was upgraded back in 2000-2003. There was no barrier between cyclists and cars. Also, you could see through the deck to the water. It was insane.
View Larger Map Route doesn't include the Lochside trail, but is close enough
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