The sun is out, the blossoms are blooming and Vancouver is alive with bikers! We at OCB love to see all the smiling riders whizzing through the city. Our shop on Main Street is buzzing with people getting their rides super snazzy for summer, and sharing exciting plans for bike trips.
Even OCB colleagues have begun taking on their own adventures
“One of my fav trails is the Salish trail in Pacific Spirit Park (northbound), it spits you out at Spanish Banks and you can ride the MUP back east through jericho/kits to Olympic Village!” our Inventory Coordinator, Gari says.
For many new riders, taking on a bike ride or trip beyond the city can be daunting. To lend a helping hand to our enthusiastic newbies, we spoke with bike shops and clubs across Vancouver to get some advice on how to start… and where to go!
Tennessee from Giant/Liv
I love working at Giant/Liv Vancouver because I love to be part of our customer’s adventures, big or small! We’ve been in the neighborhood for over twelve years now and it’s always so much fun to offer a coffee to our guests, share our ride stories, get them to try a new bike, or fix theirs before a big event or their daily commutes. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch people grow in confidence and passion over the years, and to know we’ve played a small part in their adventures.
This summer, a few of our team members have signed up for events, whether gravel/road/mountain biking so we will be rooting for them leading up to it and on game day! The focus for our team will be on the adventure side, trying some new routes we’ve been eyeing out and making a day of it. That’s where the stoke is for us!
For folks looking to try a trip out (this one is on the road), it’s a little longer for some, but the road to Horseshoe Bay and back is just so beautiful: it offers stunning ocean views, rewarding rolling hills, and that satisfying mix of challenge and beauty that makes you remember why you ride.
Giant also have a few more route options on their website, seatoskybicycles.ca
Laur from Kissing Crows Cyclery
This is my first year with Crows, and so I am really excited to deepen my connection to the community through bi-weekly shop rides, our yearly Swift Industries campout and the plethora of other exciting events we are gearing up for.
I love that bike culture often lines up with things I care deeply about—like sustainability, repairability, getting outside, and showing up for marginalized communities. Between co-workers who equally share these values, to friendly regulars, the bike shop is a very enjoyable place to be!
I would highly recommend getting out to Demonstration Forest. Fisherman’s is such a beautiful little route to bumble along for a weekend ride. You can push a lot further past Fisherman’s if you’re feeling it, but if you’re looking for some chill and accessible gravel, Fisherman’s got you! There’s lots of spots to sit along the water for snacks and if you’re lucky, some very cute dogs to bump into.
Erika (She/her) from Gravel Buddies
I am the founder and ride lead of Gravel Buddies, a cycling club for women, gender-diverse people, and 2SLGBTQIA+ people. What I love about riding with the club is the sense of community we create. I see friendships being created, the progress beginner gravel riders make, and the empowerment people feel after their first bikepacking trip. It’s always a lovely and fun experience.
Since I couldn’t ride much last summer due to an injury, I am hoping to explore more places on my bike, both in the Lower Mainland area and on the islands or Sunshine Coast. I am also looking forward to challenging myself on our first multi-day rally in August.
If you are looking for a quick escape to the forest after work, I highly recommend Stanley Park or Pacific Spirit Park. The trails are beginner-friendly, and both parks are so peaceful you will forget you are in the city! If you are looking for longer rides or exploring new areas on bikepacking, there are many routes to choose from both in our Ride w GPS club or on the website.
We are no-drop, meaning we wait for every member of the group, very supportive and there is something for every skill level. I hope to see you on one of our future rides or trips!
Gravel Buddies has a fantastic inventory of rides around Vancouver, which are accessible to all abilities: https://www.gravelbuddies.ca/
You can also find a range of bike ride ideas through the links below: