Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
The British Columbia Ride to Conquer Cancer -> General Discussion -> Open Invitation - Sunday May 31 - 100km Training Ride South Surrey/Birch Bay/Ferndale Circuit
Post Info TOPIC: Open Invitation - Sunday May 31 - 100km Training Ride South Surrey/Birch Bay/Ferndale Circuit
trikky


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 20
Date:
Open Invitation - Sunday May 31 - 100km Training Ride South Surrey/Birch Bay/Ferndale Circuit
Permalink  

G'day from Surrey!

I am posting an open invitation to anyone who would like to join me on a 100km training circuit this Sunday (May 31) from the South Surrey Park & Ride (where there's free parking if you want to leave your car there).  This is a route I have taken a number of times before and would love to share it with others.

Here's the basic info:

We head off about 11:00am and ride a circuit across into the USA to the Birch Bay State Park and then across to Ferndale before heading back to Surrey.  This is a fairly scenic route along primarily rural roads and for most of the journey, cars are extremely rare (and for about 3km, not there at all!).

There are a couple of long hills (not too steep), but there are also a couple of good long flat stretches and some good downhill runs to mix it up a bit.  You can see the route in detail at bikely.com .

You will be crossing into the USA, so bring what you need to cross the border, Nexus Card, Enhanced Drivers Licence, Passport or other proof of citizenship. New passport requirements don't actually begin until June 1.   On my previous rides, crossing the border has been relatively smooth and normally only takes 5-10 minutes, depending on how busy it is inside the US Customs office.  This is also an opportunity for a toilet break if you need one.

The plan is to take a short break (about 15 mins) at the Birch Bay State Park (about the 40k mark) for a food/water/toilet break.  Bring your own food - there aren't any opportunities to buy anything along the way.

Start/Finish - South Surrey Park & Ride, accessible from King George Highway OR Highway 99.  If you're taking a car, along Highway 99, take the first Surrey exit from #99 and stay to the left.  Drive straight ahead at the lights and you will enter the Park & Ride.


Where are we going?

The route is along Crescent Road, Marine Drive through White Rock and through the Semiahmoo First Nation to the Peace Arch border crossing.  Once across the border, we go through Blaine and around Drayton Harbour to the Birch Bay State Park where we will take a short break.

From Birch Bay we will go through the Cherry Point Oil Refinery reserve then take public roads through Ferndale, eventually making it to Peace Portal Road for the return to Canada, then the final 6k back to the South Surrey Park & Ride, with the last 2k being all downhill.

Who will be riding?

I consider myself to be an intermediate rider, able to average 25km/h over the distance, and when I'm out by myself I'm happy to cruise at about 30km/h on the flats (though I can go a little faster).

On recent journeys with my riding partner Judy, we've averaged about 22-23km/h and just enjoyed the ride.  No matter what your skill level, if you want to do a 100k ride, come along and have fun.  I will be able to provide turning directions for you so even if you're on your own you will be able to know where to turn to get yourself home.

Drop me a line to let me know if you're coming, or just reply to this post.

Maybe we'll see you Sunday!

Trevor W




__________________
LMB123


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 20
Date:
Permalink  

Sounds like a great ride, but I'm a little worried as I'm not a great rider. I think I average anywhere from 16-20km, of course uphill is slower......... I don't want to slow anyone down or get lost! How long do you figure it would take? Let me know your thoughts. Leanne

__________________
trikky


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 20
Date:
Permalink  

Getting lost isn't really the issue, as long as you're not by yourself - but even if you are, I'm going to have some turning direction lists for other riders (i.e. Left on X road, right on Y Road...that sort of thing) and the roads are well signed for the most part.  The first time I rode it I missed a turn, but only because I didn't write things down...I was trying to go from what I remembered of the map, which I didn't do the second time.

When I'm riding it by myself, I'm usually out for about 4.5 hours including a short break at Birch Bay and while crossing the border.  When I'm riding with my mate Judy, we usually take things a little slower to enjoy the ride itself, so a smidge over 5 hours including breaks isn't unusual.

Do you have anyone else you could encourage to come along?  What about your usual riding partners?  You should try to convince them, too!  The more the merrier!


-- Edited by trikky on Friday 29th of May 2009 12:49:09 AM

__________________
LMB123


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 20
Date:
Permalink  

Thanks for the info and the invite. I have 2 or 3 others that are interested so hopefully we'll all make it out! I guess we'll just look for the people standing around with bikes.....

__________________
trikky


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 20
Date:
Permalink  

That's great to hear!

I'll be arriving on a #321 bus from Surrey, hopefully just before 11:00.  I'll certainly stand out, being tall and ugly with close-cropped hair.  Look for me in a white tank top, pushing an older road bike (with skookum new tyres, though) and carrying a blue camal-back style water pack.

I'm PMing you my phone number if you have any questions.

T


__________________
LMB123


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 20
Date:
Permalink  

Sounds like I have 2 people that will be joining the ride on Sunday. We're from North Van and Burnaby and will be driving....... See you there about 11:00am. Are there many others joining the ride?

__________________
trikky


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 20
Date:
Permalink  

Haven't heard many responses - at this stage, including you two there will be four, with the possibility of one or two more.  I'm going anyway, so ultimately it doesn't matter how many people come.  biggrin

Don't forget to bring your passport and or other proof of citizenship to cross the border, and make sure you bring sun screen.  It's gonna be warm and last weekend I got a 2nd degree sunburn on my back.  OUCH!  That'll teach me for not having someone put sunscreen there.  evileye


__________________
LMB123


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 20
Date:
Permalink  

Looks like I have one more coming! See you there.

__________________
trikky


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 20
Date:
Permalink  

A total of five people went along on the ride - myself included - today. I'd like to think a great time was had by all...I certainly enjoyed the company, but I guess you would have to ask everyone else. smile.gif Thanks for joining me, folks! Maybe I'll see some or all of you again some time, though I suspect next week I'll be doing the ride by myself. cry

__________________
LMB123


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 20
Date:
Permalink  

Thanks so much for not leaving me behind, I really appreciated it! I had a great time (even though I wanted to give up and cry a few times..) My legs aren't burning quite as much and I think I'll have a good sleep tonight! Thanks again, and I may just take you up on the offer to ride again......

Leanne

__________________
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
The British Columbia Ride to Conquer Cancer -> General Discussion -> Open Invitation - Sunday May 31 - 100km Training Ride South Surrey/Birch Bay/Ferndale Circuit


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard