Re: Route Vancouver to Victoria

"Do you have an idea of the distance from Downtown Vancouver to the ferry?"
Roughly 40 km. Look at Google Local for Vancouver, BC.
Ontario St. is pretty good by the way.

"Claire Petersky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Király" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:6eOUf.1725$B_1.496@edtnps89...

Quoted message said:

If you don't mind riding with a lot of traffic, head out of downtown
Vancouver over the Granville Street Bridge. Head straight south on
Granville Street and turn left on 70th Ave. Turn right on Oak Street and
over the Oak St Bridge to Richmond.

I can imagine this quite well.

Quoted message said:

If you prefer to ride on quieter streets rather than on arterials
(Granville is very busy), consider using the Cypress, Heather, or Ontario
bike routes through the city to get to the Oak St Bridge from downtown
(see here http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/transport/cycling/routes.htm)

I am less familiar with these streets, but I could fake it with a map.
Ontario looks direct, which is easier when you don't know where you're
going.

Quoted message said:

Once in Richmond, you need to make a decision. You need to get across
the South Arm of the Fraser River to Delta, where the Tsawwassen ferry
terminal is. The most direct way is via the Massey Tunnel (Hwy 99), but
the tunnel is off-limits to cyclists. A free seasonal shuttle service
will carry your bikes through, see here for the schedule:
http://tinyurl.com/4quha Once through the tunnel, it's an easy ride
along Hwy 17 to the ferry terminal.

If the shuttle is not in service when you plan to go, you can either
hitchhike through the tunnel (I've done it many times, a tradesman with a
van always seems to stop for me within five minutes of waiting), or you
can take your bikes on board a transit bus (about $2-3)through the
tunnel. Transit buses have two racks for bikes, but there's no guarantee
that either of the two spots won't already be occupied when you want to
get on. And you'll need to remove all your stuff from your bikes
and carry it inside the bus, which will be pretty tough if you have a lot
of touring gear.

OK, we'll be on the tandem. So if the seasonal shuttle service is
available (I assume so, this trip will be this summer), will it be able to
carry the tandem? The transit service probably uses similar racks to the
ones on our buses. The wheel base of the tandem is too long for the
racks -- I'd assume that'd be the same in for the buses that go under the
Fraser. As for hitchhiking -- remember the old movie where the woman
hitches up her skirt a bit and gets a ride? I don't think my
varicose-veiny legs poking out of my bike shorts is going to do the trick
here.

Quoted message said:

The only other option is to ride over the Alex Fraser Bridge (Hwy 91)
from
east Richmond to Delta, and then ride along River Road to connect with
Hwy 17 to get you to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal. But this is a
looooooong detour, and the approaches and exits to the bridge are
extremely
confusing, the signage is poor or non-existant, and the bridge sidewalks
tend to be full of glass and other debris. So I'd figure out a way to
get though the Hwy 99 tunnel instead.

Do you have an idea of the distance from Downtown Vancouver to the ferry?

Quoted message said:

After you get off the ferry on the Island, the Pat Bay Highway is the
fastest way into downtown Victoria. It has pretty heavy traffic and is
quite boring, though. For a more scenic route with less traffic, have a
look at this:

http://www.gvcc.bc.ca/recrides/rides202.jpg

Would the GVCC mail that to me, or is that available from some
governmental department? And do you have a sense of the relative distance
from the ferry to downtown Victoria, either on the main highway, which
I've driven, and some more scenic route as indicated by the jpg cited
above?

Many thanks!

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

phone them about the tandem.

Free shuttle service for bicycles and their riders through the George Massey
Tunnel is available through Mainroad Contracting (604-581-3710). The
scheduled service is available between April and October, at times listed
below.

"Claire Petersky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Király" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:6eOUf.1725$B_1.496@edtnps89...

Quoted message said:

If you don't mind riding with a lot of traffic, head out of downtown
Vancouver over the Granville Street Bridge. Head straight south on
Granville Street and turn left on 70th Ave. Turn right on Oak Street and
over the Oak St Bridge to Richmond.

I can imagine this quite well.

Quoted message said:

If you prefer to ride on quieter streets rather than on arterials
(Granville is very busy), consider using the Cypress, Heather, or Ontario
bike routes through the city to get to the Oak St Bridge from downtown
(see here http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/transport/cycling/routes.htm)

I am less familiar with these streets, but I could fake it with a map.
Ontario looks direct, which is easier when you don't know where you're
going.

Quoted message said:

Once in Richmond, you need to make a decision. You need to get across
the South Arm of the Fraser River to Delta, where the Tsawwassen ferry
terminal is. The most direct way is via the Massey Tunnel (Hwy 99), but
the tunnel is off-limits to cyclists. A free seasonal shuttle service
will carry your bikes through, see here for the schedule:
http://tinyurl.com/4quha Once through the tunnel, it's an easy ride
along Hwy 17 to the ferry terminal.

If the shuttle is not in service when you plan to go, you can either
hitchhike through the tunnel (I've done it many times, a tradesman with a
van always seems to stop for me within five minutes of waiting), or you
can take your bikes on board a transit bus (about $2-3)through the
tunnel. Transit buses have two racks for bikes, but there's no guarantee
that either of the two spots won't already be occupied when you want to
get on. And you'll need to remove all your stuff from your bikes
and carry it inside the bus, which will be pretty tough if you have a lot
of touring gear.

OK, we'll be on the tandem. So if the seasonal shuttle service is
available (I assume so, this trip will be this summer), will it be able to
carry the tandem? The transit service probably uses similar racks to the
ones on our buses. The wheel base of the tandem is too long for the
racks -- I'd assume that'd be the same in for the buses that go under the
Fraser. As for hitchhiking -- remember the old movie where the woman
hitches up her skirt a bit and gets a ride? I don't think my
varicose-veiny legs poking out of my bike shorts is going to do the trick
here.

Quoted message said:

The only other option is to ride over the Alex Fraser Bridge (Hwy 91)
from
east Richmond to Delta, and then ride along River Road to connect with
Hwy 17 to get you to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal. But this is a
looooooong detour, and the approaches and exits to the bridge are
extremely
confusing, the signage is poor or non-existant, and the bridge sidewalks
tend to be full of glass and other debris. So I'd figure out a way to
get though the Hwy 99 tunnel instead.

Do you have an idea of the distance from Downtown Vancouver to the ferry?

Quoted message said:

After you get off the ferry on the Island, the Pat Bay Highway is the
fastest way into downtown Victoria. It has pretty heavy traffic and is
quite boring, though. For a more scenic route with less traffic, have a
look at this:

http://www.gvcc.bc.ca/recrides/rides202.jpg

Would the GVCC mail that to me, or is that available from some
governmental department? And do you have a sense of the relative distance
from the ferry to downtown Victoria, either on the main highway, which
I've driven, and some more scenic route as indicated by the jpg cited
above?

Many thanks!

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

In article <0iVUf.3222$Ph4.1844@edtnps90>, "smn"

Quoted message said:

"Do you have an idea of the distance from Downtown Vancouver to the
ferry?"
Roughly 40 km. Look at Google Local for Vancouver, BC.
Ontario St. is pretty good by the way.

And don't rule out the Marine Drive route. Probably 30 minutes longer
than direct on the Ontario route, but way way more bike friendly, and
almost stop-free on the entire Vancouver portion.

Cross the Burrard bridge from downtown, scoot all the way around Point
Grey & Southlands - no time to expose those vericose-y veins at Wreck
Beach - enter Richmond over Arthur Lang/Dinsmore, and carry on to the
tunnel through west Richmond.

You at least have to explore some of this route anyway during your stay.
A must do for any tourist, whether you're clipped in or not.

j.

Quoted message said:

"Claire Petersky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Király" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:6eOUf.1725$B_1.496@edtnps89...

Quoted message said:

If you don't mind riding with a lot of traffic, head out of downtown
Vancouver over the Granville Street Bridge. Head straight south on
Granville Street and turn left on 70th Ave. Turn right on Oak Street
and
over the Oak St Bridge to Richmond.

I can imagine this quite well.

Quoted message said:

If you prefer to ride on quieter streets rather than on arterials
(Granville is very busy), consider using the Cypress, Heather, or
Ontario
bike routes through the city to get to the Oak St Bridge from downtown
(see here http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/transport/cycling/routes.htm)

I am less familiar with these streets, but I could fake it with a map.
Ontario looks direct, which is easier when you don't know where you're
going.

Quoted message said:

Once in Richmond, you need to make a decision. You need to get across
the South Arm of the Fraser River to Delta, where the Tsawwassen ferry
terminal is. The most direct way is via the Massey Tunnel (Hwy 99),
but
the tunnel is off-limits to cyclists. A free seasonal shuttle service
will carry your bikes through, see here for the schedule:
http://tinyurl.com/4quha Once through the tunnel, it's an easy ride
along Hwy 17 to the ferry terminal.

If the shuttle is not in service when you plan to go, you can either
hitchhike through the tunnel (I've done it many times, a tradesman with
a
van always seems to stop for me within five minutes of waiting), or you
can take your bikes on board a transit bus (about $2-3)through the
tunnel. Transit buses have two racks for bikes, but there's no
guarantee
that either of the two spots won't already be occupied when you want to
get on. And you'll need to remove all your stuff from your bikes
and carry it inside the bus, which will be pretty tough if you have a
lot
of touring gear.

OK, we'll be on the tandem. So if the seasonal shuttle service is
available (I assume so, this trip will be this summer), will it be able
to
carry the tandem? The transit service probably uses similar racks to the
ones on our buses. The wheel base of the tandem is too long for the
racks -- I'd assume that'd be the same in for the buses that go under
the
Fraser. As for hitchhiking -- remember the old movie where the woman
hitches up her skirt a bit and gets a ride? I don't think my
varicose-veiny legs poking out of my bike shorts is going to do the
trick
here.

Quoted message said:

The only other option is to ride over the Alex Fraser Bridge (Hwy 91)
from
east Richmond to Delta, and then ride along River Road to connect with
Hwy 17 to get you to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal. But this is a
looooooong detour, and the approaches and exits to the bridge are
extremely
confusing, the signage is poor or non-existant, and the bridge
sidewalks
tend to be full of glass and other debris. So I'd figure out a way to
get though the Hwy 99 tunnel instead.

Do you have an idea of the distance from Downtown Vancouver to the
ferry?

Quoted message said:

After you get off the ferry on the Island, the Pat Bay Highway is the
fastest way into downtown Victoria. It has pretty heavy traffic and is
quite boring, though. For a more scenic route with less traffic, have
a
look at this:

http://www.gvcc.bc.ca/recrides/rides202.jpg

Would the GVCC mail that to me, or is that available from some
governmental department? And do you have a sense of the relative
distance
from the ferry to downtown Victoria, either on the main highway, which
I've driven, and some more scenic route as indicated by the jpg cited
above?

Many thanks!

--
Warm Regards,

Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
See the books I've set free at:
http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

--
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NOTE: Spam blocker in place. E-mail address has been modified.
To reply personally, simply remove the first "j".
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In bc.cycling Claire Petersky said:

I am less familiar with these streets, but I could fake it with a map.
Ontario looks direct, which is easier when you don't know where you're
going.

Ontario is probably the easiest to navigate by out-of-towners because it
follows a straight line the entire way. Ontario Street is also easy
to find. Just ride along any east-west numbered avenue in the city,
if the house numbers are getting smaller you are going in the right
direction. When you get to address no. 1 you are at Ontario Street.
Heading south on Ontario, turn right on Marine Drive, and after about
6 blocks, split off to the right onto 70th. Then turn left onto Oak and
over the bridge.

Quoted message said:

OK, we'll be on the tandem. So if the seasonal shuttle service is available
(I assume so, this trip will be this summer), will it be able to carry the
tandem?

Hard to say. I've only used the shuttle once or twice, years ago. I
don't think that tandems were accommodated back then. Best to call them at
604-581-3710 to confirm. If you can't take the tandem on the shuttle,
then you need to use the Hwy 91 bridge from Richmond to Delta. You could
also skip Richmond altogether and follow Hwy 1A/99A through
Vancouver/Burnaby/New Westminster/Pattullo Bridge/Surrey, and then ride
along the south bank of the Fraser River to Delta and onward to
Tsawwassen, but this is an even longer detour than Hwy 91.

Quoted message said:

Would the GVCC mail that to me, or is that available from some governmental
department?

I remember seeing that map on sale at the GVCC website, bundled with two
other Vancouver Island cycling maps, for about $12 for the pack. The
website seems to be offline right now.

Quoted message said:

And do you have a sense of the relative distance from the ferry
to downtown Victoria, either on the main highway, which I've driven, and
some more scenic route as indicated by the jpg cited above?

Mapquest puts the highway distance at about 21 miles.
http://tinyurl.com/ozher Add a few miles for the scenic route.

--
K.

"Claire Petersky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Király" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:6eOUf.1725$B_1.496@edtnps89...

[snip..]

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

After you get off the ferry on the Island, the Pat Bay Highway is the
fastest way into downtown Victoria. It has pretty heavy traffic and is
quite boring, though. For a more scenic route with less traffic, have a
look at this:

http://www.gvcc.bc.ca/recrides/rides202.jpg

Would the GVCC mail that to me, or is that available from some governmental department? And do you have a sense of the relative
distance from the ferry to downtown Victoria, either on the main highway, which I've driven, and some more scenic route as
indicated by the jpg cited above?

There are PDFs of cycling trails at http://www.crd.bc.ca/parks/brochure.htm.
It looks like they cover the routes indicated on the above map.