Iain writes:-

What an amazing day! 19 to 20C at the warmest part, solid sunshine from start to finish, only ended by sunset by when we were comfortably ensconced at Parallel 49.

The main object of the day was to check out the route under the Port Mann Bridge, this was closed for the longest time due to TMX expansion work. Previous rides over the Port Mann had shown us that the gate at the west end of the trail was open and that construction work was over. Reddit trip reports had also indicated that the route was passable, with difficulty, so off we went. We had also got some feedback from Regional Parks that indicated that at least the start of the route was open.

However, before we reached the bridge we cycled an adventurous route, including a very high number of washroom breaks - Coquitlam 10/10, Vancouver somewhat lacking. We kicked off riding along Pandora to Hastings park, pausing at the Miracle Mile Statue and the Empire Games mural, two real treats. We had targeted the Miracle Mile statue on a previous ride but extra curricular activities meant we missed. IYKYK.

The backdrop of mountains on a clear, haze free day, we kept for most of the day, as we headed for the arty Willingdon bike route, with a lovely new route looping along Still Creek and McDonald’s with the glass roof for crow spotting. CVG was next before heading north up a steep hill, after crossing Winston Street, scene of endless road and rail and sewer work. Then another new route east on Broadway before going perilously close to Bjornbar in Burquitlam, but today there was no time. Places to go, scenes to see.

Cottonwood Park saw a brief snack stop, what a star location, small and perfectly formed. Blue Mountain Park and Mundy Park were next before the glorious downhill ride on Spuraway and Armada to the awful intersection of Barnet Highway and Johnson Street in Coquitlam. This needs a roundabout, worth a visit though for the road markings. Madness. Back into the forest, an opportunity then to see Great Britain Lacrosse team beat Canada. Divided loyalties there. Then south down the stunning PoCo Traboulay Trail, what a leisure facility. Also, we saw returning salmon, what a treat.

Next the lovely ride through ƛ̓éxətəm (tla-hut-um) Park, with the first sight of the Port Mann Bridge. The track under the bridge turned out to be muddy in places, but fully passable. We hung around under the bridge, marvelling at the concrete, we are strange like that. Next part of the journey took us to Sapperton Pumping Station - way more exciting than it sounds. We’ll be having a pump to pump ride one day, wonderful examples of making a functional thing a work of art.

Then New West, passing the Woodlands Memorial Gardens and through Queens Park before picking up the west bound Cross Town bike route and joining the BC Parkway. Time and daylight were running out so we re-routed to Parallel 49 via Trout Lake and Lakewood bike route.

Highlights and low lights on the day out, one injured rider, grazes and bruises, wonderful weather, lots of new routes, amazing parks, stunning art. A quality day out, OK, we didn’t get the advertised distance but we had fun in the sun.

Maybe 84kms, bit of a fail with the Garmin so no route details today.