Route Vancouver to Victoria

[Claire Petersky]

Please help a couple of hapless visitors planning to ride up from Seattle.
I looked for a FAQ where this should be, did a google search, and still
coming up dry. So, please direct me to a link that will show the best route
from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria.

Many thanks.

[Király]

Post by Claire Petersky
Please help a couple of hapless visitors planning to ride up from Seattle.
I looked for a FAQ where this should be, did a google search, and still
coming up dry. So, please direct me to a link that will show the best route
from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria.

This route is not the easiest thing in the world to plan for if you are
already familiar with it.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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:

Loading Image...

Hope this helps!

[Claire Petersky]

Post by Király
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.

Post by Király
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.

Post by Király
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
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.

Post by Király
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?

Post by Király
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
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!

[smn]

"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.

Post by Claire Petersky

Post by Király
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.

Post by Király
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.

Post by Király
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
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.

Post by Király
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?

Post by Király
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
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

[smn]

Claire thanks for "Get off the Fucking Road" Priceless from bicycle
meditations

Post by smn
"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.

Post by Claire Petersky

Post by Király
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.

Post by Király
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.

Post by Király
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
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.

Post by Király
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?

Post by Király
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
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/
http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

[Claire Petersky]

Post by smn
Claire thanks for "Get off the Fucking Road" Priceless from bicycle
meditations

Glad to be of service.

For those unwilling to wade through my website, it can be found directly
here: http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/road.html

[smn]

If you are looking for a sleepover and shower I can accommodate fellow
cyclists in Surrey. A short skytrain ride, 35 min from downtown Vancouver,
tandem cycle friendly, to King George Station and a 5 minute ride from
there. and no need to worry about the tunnel. Take King George Hwy to #10
through country roads and onto highway after Diese Tunnel. Heck I might
even guide you there if I am not doing anything. How many are there of you?
Takes 2 hours last time I tried.

thanks
Shirley

Post by Claire Petersky

Post by smn
Claire thanks for "Get off the Fucking Road" Priceless from bicycle
meditations

Glad to be of service.
For those unwilling to wade through my website, it can be found directly
here: http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/road.html
--
Warm Regards,
Claire Petersky
http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/
See the books I've set free at: http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

[Jim Garnett]

Post by smn
"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.

Post by smn

Post by Claire Petersky

Post by Király
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.

Post by Király
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.

Post by Király
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
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.

Post by Király
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?

Post by Király
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
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/
http://bookcrossing.com/referral/Cpetersky

[smn]

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.

Post by Claire Petersky

Post by Király
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.

Post by Király
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.

Post by Király
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
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.

Post by Király
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?

Post by Király
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
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

[Király]

Post by Claire Petersky
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.

Post by Claire Petersky
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.

Post by Claire Petersky
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.

Post by Claire Petersky
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.

[David Tang]

[snip..]

Post by Király
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
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.

[smn]

This website gives trail info in more detail.
Anyone try the galloping goose trail. Looks like fun.
Regional Trails Brochure
http://www.crd.bc.ca/parks/brochure.htm

this is good too, thanks Kiraly
Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition - Home
http://gvcc.bc.ca/index.shtml

Post by Király

Post by Claire Petersky
Please help a couple of hapless visitors planning to ride up from Seattle.
I looked for a FAQ where this should be, did a google search, and still
coming up dry. So, please direct me to a link that will show the best route
from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria.

This route is not the easiest thing in the world to plan for if you are
already familiar with it.
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.
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)
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
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.
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.
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
http://www.gvcc.bc.ca/recrides/rides202.jpg
Hope this helps!
--
K.

[Brian]

Hi Claire!

2 Questions:

Are you arriving at DT vancouver and pedaling out to catch the ferry in
Tswassen?? Or are you coming up from Seattle?? OR, are you coming up from
Seattle, riding to DT van, and going on from there to the island?

AND...

What day of the week will you be making the trip?

Question 1 derives from the fact that it is far easier to head out to the
Tswassen ferry terminal from the border crossing in south Surrey...If you
are travelling from DT van, I would try the Massey Tunnel shuttle to get
thru from Richmond to South Delta. The shuttle itself was (still is? I
didn't ride it at all last year) an aged Chevy cargo van towing a 20ft
utility trailer with aprrox 1doz or so armatures on the trailer deck to
clamp bikes to. (far as I can recall). He might have to arrange it a little
differently than a single-rider bike, but I have no doubt he could
accomodate your tandem. Also, the shuttle service, as may have been
mentioned, is FREE.

I would not recommend the Alex Fraser Bridge route. (east out of Richmond
paralell to hwy 91 and over Annacis Island). The previous posters may have
made the passage over the bridge sound more hazardous than it actually is.
(I ride it twice daily in-season) BUT: the bridge walkway itself has a few
doglegs and bottlenecks which would be...interesting...to negotiate with a
fully loaded tandem...that, plus there is no freaking WAY you would make the
turn on the west side south end exit with a tandem; most people can barely
negotiate that hairpin on a single. Best there to blow right past the
turnoff and try to get the tandem turned 'round in the sandlot about 25ft
past the turn.

Time of the week has bearing in that bikes are permitted on the Skytrain
during the weekends. Hopping on Skytrain downtown and leaving at say, Scott
Road or King George station would save you considerable time, but is an even
looooonger detour than the hwy 91/Alex Fraser route. Tho' it probably works
out about the same, travel-time wise.

[Király]

Post by Brian
Time of the week has bearing in that bikes are permitted on the Skytrain
during the weekends.

Bikes are permitted on SkyTrain on weekdays too. The rules have been
relaxed even more now compared to a year ago. Now it's just the
weekday rush hours (7-9am and 5-6pm) in the direction of peak travel,
that they are not allowed. Even during these times, you can bring a bike
on board if you are travelling against the rush hour traffic.

http://www.translink.bc.ca/Transportation_Services/Bikes/Cycling_OnTransit.asp

K.

[Király]

Whoops, got one of the times wrong. Here's a better link:

http://tinyurl.com/glong

[Claire Petersky]

Post by Brian
Hi Claire!
Are you arriving at DT vancouver and pedaling out to catch the ferry in
Tswassen?? Or are you coming up from Seattle?? OR, are you coming up
from Seattle, riding to DT van, and going on from there to the island?

We're pedalling up to Vancouver and then staying there, then going to
Victoria, then going back on the Clipper.

Post by Brian
AND...
What day of the week will you be making the trip?

Uh...Sunday.

Post by Brian
Time of the week has bearing in that bikes are permitted on the Skytrain
during the weekends. Hopping on Skytrain downtown and leaving at say,
Scott Road or King George station would save you considerable time, but is
an even looooonger detour than the hwy 91/Alex Fraser route. Tho' it
probably works out about the same, travel-time wise.

Interesting. I have even taken a bike on the Skytrain in my past. Ryan
Cousineau was kind enough to loan me one of his two years ago, and I rode
the Skytrain out to meet him, then took it back to where I was staying. I
then crashed his bike a few days later. While apparently his bike came out
of that OK, the scars still twitch on my knee from time to time.

[Király]

Post by Claire Petersky
We're pedalling up to Vancouver and then staying there, then going to
Victoria, then going back on the Clipper.

Sounds like a great trip! I imagine you've got your route from the
border to Vancouver already planned out. If not, I suggest Hwy 99A
(bikes are not allowed on Hwy 99). 99A is well marked, if a little
busy in the urban sections. The Pattullo Bridge between Surrey and New
Westminster is a little bit of an obstacle when heading north, as
cyclists must use the west sidewalk when traveling either north or
south. The approach to the sidewalk is not well marked from the south
side. Heading north along Hwy 99A (King George Hwy), turn left at the
last traffic light before the bridge, ride through the Park & Ride area,
and make a right turn. Soon you'll see a ramp leading up to the bridge
sidewalk.

Alternatively you can just take your bike on board the SkyTrain and zip
all of the rest of the way into Vancouver. Scott Road Station is near
the south end of the Pattullo Bridge, you'll ride right past it trying to
get onto the bridge.

[Claire Petersky]

Post by Király

Post by Claire Petersky
We're pedalling up to Vancouver and then staying there, then going to
Victoria, then going back on the Clipper.

Sounds like a great trip! I imagine you've got your route from the
border to Vancouver already planned out. If not, I suggest Hwy 99A
(bikes are not allowed on Hwy 99).

We're using the RSVP route
(http://www.cascade.org/EandR/rsvp/RSVP_details.cfm), so we'll be coming up
through Lynden.

[smn]

Post by Brian

Post by Brian
Time of the week has bearing in that bikes are permitted on the Skytrain
during the weekends<<

Actually, u are allowed on between 9AM and 3 PM during the week too.

.

Post by Brian
Hi Claire!
Are you arriving at DT vancouver and pedaling out to catch the ferry in
Tswassen?? Or are you coming up from Seattle?? OR, are you coming up
from Seattle, riding to DT van, and going on from there to the island?
AND...
What day of the week will you be making the trip?
Question 1 derives from the fact that it is far easier to head out to the
Tswassen ferry terminal from the border crossing in south Surrey...If you
are travelling from DT van, I would try the Massey Tunnel shuttle to get
thru from Richmond to South Delta. The shuttle itself was (still is? I
didn't ride it at all last year) an aged Chevy cargo van towing a 20ft
utility trailer with aprrox 1doz or so armatures on the trailer deck to
clamp bikes to. (far as I can recall). He might have to arrange it a
little differently than a single-rider bike, but I have no doubt he could
accomodate your tandem. Also, the shuttle service, as may have been
mentioned, is FREE.
I would not recommend the Alex Fraser Bridge route. (east out of Richmond
paralell to hwy 91 and over Annacis Island). The previous posters may
have made the passage over the bridge sound more hazardous than it
actually is. (I ride it twice daily in-season) BUT: the bridge walkway
itself has a few doglegs and bottlenecks which would be...interesting...to
negotiate with a fully loaded tandem...that, plus there is no freaking WAY
you would make the turn on the west side south end exit with a tandem;
most people can barely negotiate that hairpin on a single. Best there to
blow right past the turnoff and try to get the tandem turned 'round in the
sandlot about 25ft past the turn.
Time of the week has bearing in that bikes are permitted on the Skytrain
during the weekends. Hopping on Skytrain downtown and leaving at say,
Scott Road or King George station would save you considerable time, but is
an even looooonger detour than the hwy 91/Alex Fraser route. Tho' it
probably works out about the same, travel-time wise.

[Claire Petersky]

So, please direct me to a link that will show the best route from downtown
Vancouver to downtown Victoria.

Follow-up to this old post -- as it turns out, my husband has special
training for his new job the week we were planning to do this. So, many
thanks for the suggestions and even offers of rides and places to stay --
but we're cutting that trip short.