Wanderung » Cycle touring

Solstice cycling 21/12/11

andy — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 21:42:32 +0000

Steve’s Solstice bike ride:
“Close to a dozen signed up for this trip and I’m going to call it a success. Completely foreign to any other callout I’ve ever done (being urban, and so low key in terms of athletic effort), it was a great thing to do on a weeknight. A few of us had lights on our bikes and helmets (mine here: http://tinyurl.com/6rz4z87) but I think any future incarnation of this event requires far more effort on that front! We turned a few heads, but we could have turned more.

The convoy set off from Wall Centre and St. Pauls and hit a variety of sites including: the Woodwards displays, Lost Lagoon Tree, the willow on Pacific and more. We ended our ride with snacks and hot chocolate at Bridges.

We had a perfect night of weather and to top off that the Solstice events at the Roundhouse, Olympic Village, and Granville Island really upped the entertainment factor. That being said, I wonder if the ride could have been equally as enjoyable on a different night, freeing us up to actually spend more time at each of the False Creek (or elsewhere) Solstice festivities and the ride could have stood on its own.”

Stanley Park cycling 05/06/11

andy — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 23:38:05 +0000

Keith cycling here and there:
“It was a great day for a ride. We moved quite quickly through the city, but had time to smell the roses. One rider went down early on on some railroad tracks, but is doing well! It was a great loop, tried my best to keep off totally busy streets as we meandered West, South, East then North. The food? I do not know how it works that you ask random people to bring food and it all goes together so well. (I once had a birthday where nobody talked and there were 7 cakes though…) Veggie lasagna, yam salad, and wild rice with salmon… and a cupcake!! It worked out very well. Here is the recipe for the salad:

Sweet Potato Salad With Orange-Maple Dressing
(Bon Appetit, June 2003)
The salad can remain at room temperature up to two hours before serving. Makes 12 servings.

Dressing.
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons Sherry wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teas poons minced peeled fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Salad:
6 pounds red-skinned sweet potatoes (yams), peeled, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1 cup chopped green onions
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 cup pecans, toasted, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup brown raisins

For dressing:
Whisk all ingredients to blend in small bowl. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.

For salad:
Steam sweet potatoes in batches until potatoes are just tender, about 10 minutes per batch. Transfer sweet potatoes to large bowl. Cool to room temperature. Add green onions, parsley, pecans, and all raisins; Pour dressing over; toss gently to blend. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)”

Mayne Island cycling 04/06/11

andy — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 02:42:50 +0000

Markus on Mayne Island:
“Seven of us headed out on a spectacular Saturday to check out the wonders of Mayne Island. In seven hours (coincidence?) we managed to cover most of the north of the island at a fairly relaxed pace, stopping at the Farmers Market, Georgina Point and Edith Point for a wander about/hike. We then headed inland to Mt. Parke and hiked up to Halliday Lookout where we had lunch while taking in the spectacular view of the Gulf Islands. I would recommend doing this as an overnight trip as there is still plenty more to see.”

Stanley Park cycling 29/05/11

andy — Sun, 29 May 2011 21:07:53 +0000

Markus cycling the sea-wall in Stanley Park:
“Shout out to Rob M and Oksana for joining me in what has to have been the most laid back call-out I’ve ever been on. The weather was perfect for the myriad of stops that we made on the way. From investigating tidal pools around Stanley Park to finding little tucked away waterfalls around False Creek, we covered a lot more than just the distance from start to end.”

Pender Island 21/05/10

andy — Fri, 21 May 2010 21:23:02 +0000

Michelle on a cycle tour of Pender Island:
“Despite some on the spot re-planning courtesy BC Ferries and Parks Canada, eight of us had a very enjoyable trip cycle touring, hiking and playing tourist on both North and South Pender Island. Three of us stayed at Centennial Friday before meeting up with the rest of the group who arrived Saturday morning. The Saturday market was indeed full of delicious and creative items and a worth while stop. Our private peninsula camp at Welcome Bay Farms was a lovely setting for our base camp for the remainder of the trip. Local Island hospitality and great company made this trip complete!”

Point Grey bike/hike 23/02/10

andy — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:33:53 +0000

Heather hiking and biking Point Grey:
“Three of us set out for a little mid-week exercise, cycling from Main St. to Kits, then along Spanish Banks to Acadia Beach where we left our bikes. From there it was a relaxed 6 km ramble along the foreshore to Wreck Beach & back, enjoying the views, multi-coloured pebbles, and the natural designs of the sandy cliffs. This is a great accessible hike right here in the city, and at low tide you can continue farther along the foreshore and swing back through Pacific Spirit Park, completing a varied 10 km circular hike. Very enjoyable, especially when you make it back home before the heavy rains start to fall…”

Central Valley Greenway cycling 12/09/09

andy — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 19:46:20 +0000

Su-Laine cycling the Central Valley Greenway:
“Christine and I cycled the new Central Valley Greenway from Science World to New Westminster. Vancouver and Burnaby were easy and pleasant riding. As others have reported, route signage in Burnaby is not always easy to follow. However, the temporary signs that have been put up are very helpful, and overall the ride was easier than I expected. There are a few steep but fairly short hills heading into New Westminster, and closer to downtown New West the only reasonable option at this time is to ride on the narrow sidewalk and try to ignore the horrible traffic noise next to you. A brief detour to check out Burnaby Lake was a highlight.”

Galiano Island cycling 24/07/09

andy — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 04:39:44 +0000

Dana on Galiano Island:
“Five of us caught the morning ferry on a Friday to Galiano. The weather was overcast but the sun came out once we arrived and it quickly became very warm. Though the ride to the campground is only 10 km, the roads are windy and hilly, and with weighed-down bikes and the hot sun it felt much longer. On Saturday, two of us rented kayaks and explored Montague Harbour and the other three biked about 10 km up-island to hike Bodega Ridge. Highlights of this easy hike with desert-like terrain were watching eagles soar beneath (and above) us, and the views of Salt Spring Island and beyond. We also enjoyed the thunder and lightning storm that night (after a quick swim), though instead of huddling in tents we took advantage of the free Hummingbird Pub shuttle bus to indulge in drinks and some incredible pie. Sunday’s ride back to the ferry took in a different route, encompassing the cemetary (which has a nice view of Active Pass and sunning sea lions). To sum: Biking Galiano is not for the faint of heart. There are many hills (both short and steep and long and gradual) and the pavement is cracked and broken in many spots. Still, it is rewarding and a beautiful place to explore over a weekend.”

Stanley Park cycling 16/07/09

andy — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:59:47 +0000

Su-Laine cycling around the Stanley Park seawall:
“What’s sweetest: Stanley Park on a warm summer evening, chocolate fondue at Kits beach, or the new Burrard Bridge bike lane connecting the two? Tough contest, and maybe I’m showing my bias, but I think the bridge was the winner with this group.”

Richmond Dykes Cycling 18/06/09

andy — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:18:35 +0000

Michelle cycling the dykes in Richmond:
“Much more than dykes – a surprising little gem of a bike ride with plenty of fodder for shutterbugs. Diverse and interesting scenery: old river homes along Finn Slough, treed riverside paths, views of Cypress/Grouse/Seymour side-by-side-by-side, cornrow farm fields, shipping container fields, industrial areas, wooden dog populated park, historic London Farm, fruit tree co-op, beautiful homes/gardens/waterfront, historic Britannia Heritage Shipyard, character community Steveston, scenic Garry Point Park and thanks to local knowledge of local crew member Susan- just beyond on the West Dyke- marshlands, water and sky to infinity. A beautiful sunbathed & sunset after work ride with a good crew.”