Your Cycle Guide to Greater Vancouver.
September 01 2021, Mercedes-Benz Vancouver
Whether you are an electric bicycle lover, a road bike racer, or a state-of-the-art mountain bike aficionado, we’ve narrowed down some stellar local rides for fall. They are ranked by level of difficulty, and include tons of variations for each ride. So, pick your favourite and take advantage of the lingering autumn sunshine while you can.
Easy Sunday Cruise
East Van Breweries
East Van Breweries - Fairweather bikers who enjoy their rides with a side of (responsible) beer tasting, look no further than East Vancouver for a brewery cruise. There are multiple routes to choose from, but we love starting at Railtown’s Postmark Brewing before riding east to Storm Brewing, then hitting the likes of Bomber and Off the Rail before ending at either 33 Acres, Main Street Brewing, or Brassneck Brewery. Pro tip: Be sure to eat and drink water along the way.
Stanley Park
For an easy cruise with harbour views, it doesn’t get much better than the Stanley Park seawall. Whether you bike around the whole park or cut through partway, make sure to stop for snacks en route at the various concession stands. Our favourites? The Second Beach stand serves ramen alongside the usual fish ‘n chips, and the Third Beach concession has a cult-favourite veggie burger.
False Creek
Navigate along the water by starting off at Science World, then heading west along the biker-friendly seawall to the Burrard Street bridge. Cross over and loop all the way back via Granville Island, where you absolutely must pick up some seaside snacks, then head to Olympic Village. With so many picture-worthy stops along the way, this route never gets tiring.
Breaking a Sweat
Central Valley Greenway
This 24-kilometre path connects Vancouver, Burnaby, and New Westminster via a route that is fairly flat—it follows a shallow valley, skirting scenic lakes and parks along the way—but if you opt for the full ride, you’re sure to break a sweat.
UBC Loop
A favourite among road biking enthusiasts, the seaside ride along Spanish Banks includes a sweat-inducing steep stretch up to the University of British Columbia, but depending on how you want to loop back home (via 7th Ave, 10th Ave, or all the way around SW Marine Dr.), you’ll have plenty of time to catch your breath. This ride can also be coupled with a zip down the paved Arbutus Greenway, the former railway turned urban space.
Lighthouse Park
From downtown Vancouver, this super-scenic ride takes you through Stanley Park and over the Lion’s Gate Bridge before following Marine Drive in West Vancouver. Keep an eye out for Beacon Lane, where you’ll hang a left to reach the Lighthouse Park parking lot. Lock up your bike and walk out to scope the show-stopping views of this stunning waterfront park.
Serious Rides
Horseshoe Bay
This highway ride is not to be taken lightly, but it is an eco-friendly way to get to the ferry terminal (or, stop for lunch by the bay before heading home again). The return route clocks in at almost 60 kilometres, and powerhouse bikers out there can even choose to push on to Lion’s Bay.
Triple Crown
Serious bikers love the 135-kilometre return Triple Crown route, which is essentially a hill climbing challenge extraordinaire. It has bikers riding up all three North Shore mountains in one day. The payoff? Epic views and a killer workout.
Seymour Demonstration Forest
This forested route in North Vancouver is nicely paved for bikers (and closed to cars), giving you a dreamy, quiet bike ride alongside towering 100-year-old trees. Bring along a picnic, or head over to Deep Cove for a pit stop (Honey Doughnuts, anyone?) before heading home.
Hopping on a bicycle is a wonderful way to embrace nature,
get some exercise, and soak up the final rays of summer as the air turns crisp.
