Iain writes:-

Five people set out on this 100km April 15th adventure with a fast run from downtown to the Massey Tunnel shuttle bus. We had time to admire the cherry blossom on the way down Cypress and Heather before crossing the Canada Line Bridge, which if you haven’t walked or cycled across there, is a great way into Richmond.

The shuttle bus dropped us off at the rather inconvenient bus shelter on the Delta side of the tunnel rather than the very convenient Visitor Centre and off we went, heading through flat agricultural land down to Centennial Beach, just north of the US border at Point Roberts. At that point we turned north and east, stopping at Beach Grove Cafe for coffee and then along the dyke. The gravel path and head wind made this very difficult, then the rain started. Despite the difficulty the route was stlll spectacular, eagles, herons and a red tailed hawk brightened the scene.

Mud Bay, the east end of Boundary Bay, was pretty much empty. Usually it is crowded with walkers, rain effect in play there. The journey north started at that point along the cycle path pretty much parallel to Highway 91, but well seperated through forest and partly in a cutting. This was all a bit difficult with a lot of mud and flooded sections meaning we had to walk our bikes, those who tried to ride ended up somewhat wetter and more muddy than the walkers.

The Alex Fraser Bridge was the next hurdle, smoothly negotiated with the exception of a flat tyre. This was really tricky to change but we were helped by a commandeered bus stop together with a constantly changing cast of bus stop characters. To be fair most of the characters thought we were a bit eccentric, even the one who did the Grand Fondo last year. This meant we were able to reminisce about green bananas and head winds. Eventually, after the use of four tyre levers and three pumps, we were on our way again, heading to New West for a sheltered lunch stop.

The route home from 22nd Street Station along the BC Parkway (“broadly downhill”) via Trout Lake before connecting with the Central Valley Greenway was event free. High points were actually seeing people after a very people free day, and having said people looking at five wet cyclists in wonder. There was applause mixed with laughter as we cycled past the crowded pubs.

This was a tough day out, rain and head winds made it feel more difficult than the Grand Fondo, it was pretty much an eleven hour door to door trip but a very rewarding day out with great company.

See the route here on Iain’s Garmin GPSMAP66sr