UPDATED MARCH 22, 2004
COMMENT - THERE IS A RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT ON THE SEAWALL FROM PROSPECT POINT TO THIRD BEACH THAT IS ONGOING UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF MAY - ALL ACCESS IS CLOSED OFF - DETOURS ARE WELL MARKED - A SHORT UPHILL CLIMB ALONG PARK DRIVE TO THE OVERPASS BY PROSPECT POINT IS THE ONLY NEGATIVE THING ABOUT THE DETOUR.
INTRODUCTION AND OPENING THOUGHTS
THE ENTIRE RIDE FROM CANADA PLACE, AROUND STANLEY PARK AND PAST SCIENCE WORLD AND ONTO UBC IS MORE THAN 30KM -
The seaside bike route is Vancouver's premier bike ride for people of all riding ability - it is level all the way and except for a few short streches completely separated from cars and in some cases even other outdoor users. While you can start and finish this ride at any number of locations in the city and make loops out of it by using one of the bridges over False Creek to return to the downtown core or one or two of Vancouver's other bike routes our description will start at the Vancouver Trade and convention center. For more information on bike routes in Vancouver check out the City of Vancouver web site.
This route is a photographer's delight and you could use up several rolls of film or wear out your cam corder batteries on a sunny and clear day as most of the route provides views of the North Shore mountains or the waters of Burrard Inlet and English Bay.
Unlike some of the other bikeways this route has a number of washrooms mostly located in the parks or along the beaches - many are open year round especially on weekends.
THE START AT CANADA PLACE
As stated earlier get your bike to the Vancouver Trade and Convention Center, aka Canada Place at Expo 86, aka Pan Pacific and head west downhill and through a nearly completed construction zone until you reach the Bayshore Hotel - shortly after you come to a junction with the Stanley Park seawall - if doing the full loop of the park - 10KM turn right - if you wish to shorten your trip - turn left and follow the trail the detour outlined above past Lost Lagoon and meet the seawall near Second Beach
STANLEY PARK TO SCIENCE WORLD
Back to the full loop - recent upgrades have segregated the trail from HMCS Discovery through to Lumberman's Arch - you don't miss any scenery only a lot of people out walking - From Lumberman's continue west until you are under the Lions Gate Bridge - you will now start to turn south as you pass Siwash Rock - there are a couple of walk your bikes sections here - please be a good cyclist and obey all safety rules.
From Siwash Rock you continue south past 3rd Beach - this concession is often opened in the off season - after 3rd Beach the route starts to head somewhat easterly until you reach 2nd beach where the shortcut mentioned earlier comes in on your left - next comes the recently upgraded route around English Bay and past the Aquatic Centre and Burrard Bridge - one of your shortcut options on the return route - After the Burrard Bridge you enter the Expo 86 lands that are being redeveloped - except for a few brief spots the route is now complete and providing an uninterupted ride all the way to Science World. From the Cambie Bridge you continue your easterly segment through the Plaza of Nations and onward to Science World.
At Science World you reach the terminus of a number of other bike routes - Adanac, Off-Broadway, Ontario and BC Parkway . Science World also gives you a good place to turn around as you have already done approx 20 km of riding.
SCIENCE WORLD TO GRANVILLE ISLAND AND BURRARD BRIDGE
Leaving Science World you have a choice - you can follow the newly opened waterfront route as it zig - zags through false creek to the Cambie Street bridge or that the route mentioned her - you will be on a city street for a km or so but the city has recently put in a wide shoulder on the water side of the roadway to assist cyclist - this area is slated for redevelopment in a few years and will have a separated bike way for sure - As you approach the Cambie Bridge you can ride the wide east sidewalk over the bridge and return to the downtown core.If you happen to riding on a weekend in the summer be sure to check our Vancouver's heritage railway where the city is running a couple of it's old interurban trams from Science World to Granville Island Entrance.
From the Cambie Bridge you once again are on a dedicated pathway as you ride westward along the mixed housing of the False Creek south development. You will then come to Granville Island - a popular public market/arts area - spend some time exploring around this area before continuing onto to the Kits Point area - from Granville Island you can also put your bike on one of the small ferries that cross False Creek - there is a separate charge for this privately run service.
COMING SOON - BURRARD BRIDGE TO SPANISH BANKS AND UBC.
COMING SOON - A COUPLE OF PHOTO ALBUMS TO GUIDE YOU ALONG THE SEASIDE BIKE ROUTE.
COMING SOON - AN ALTERNATE RETURN USING THE OFF - BROADWAY AND CYPRESS OR ONTARIO BIKE ROUTES.
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