Victoria to Vancouver
Delta and Richmond
Summary
Distance: ~110km
Elevation: ~1,200m
Summary: A one-way route leaving from Victoria's Uptown Shopping Centre, follows the Lochside trail to the ferry, winds through leisure gravel trails and calm, low traffic roads in Delta nd Richmond before arriving in Vancouver's Stanely Park.
Route: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2113503?units=km (distance shown on Plotaroute includes 40km of ferry travel)
The Pitch
You have to go to Vancouver. You are bummed you'll miss a regular day of riding. You miraculously don't need your car (because you've convinced your spouse you don't need more Ikea products). Why not bicycle to Vancouver and make it as much of a gravel ride as you can!
Details
Lochside Trail to Swartz Bay
This leg of the trip is quite straightforward. The Lochside Trail is a combination of smooth gravel path and quiet residential roads- all at rail grade. Not much explanation is required, but if you have not cycled this route before, bring a GPS for navigation as there are some twists and turns along the way that might not be intuitive. Take care at the entrance to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal as there is a dedicated bicycle entrance off Dolphin Rd. Budget your time wisely as you don't want to miss the ferry due to a flat tire or taking too many photos of picturesque landscapes! Enjoy the ferry ride, get some coffee, and don't forget to pause Strava.
View of Boundary Bay from the Dyke Trail
Delta
Although clearly not the most direct route to Vancouver, deviating through Tsawwassen and ambling along the Boundary Bay Dyke Trail is a good way to quickly make this route an actual gravel ride. This trail is flat and non-technical but is long and will very likely include some headwind (you've been warned). Expect to share the trail with other cyclists and pedestrians.
The trail terminates at Mud Bay Park. From here you will ride under Highway 99, cross some train tracks, follow rural roads, and hop onto the Bog Greenway Trail - a fantastic trail to cross through Delta, away from traffic. This delightful forested trail can get a big waterlogged at times. Depending on the time of the year, be prepared for some extended puddles and mud.
To cross the Fraser river you'll have to get on Highway 91 and make use of the sidewalk on the Alex Fraser Bridge. Traffic is heavy and moves fast. It's a necessary evil but will be over soon.
New Westminster and Richmond
You've successfully crossed the Fraser river, including a brief stint through Annacis Island's commercial zone, and found yourself in New Westminster. The South Dyke Road is a nice calm route along the river that leads to the East Richmond Trail. Some urban connectors will lead you North West through Richmond to River Road and over the North Arm Bridge Bike Path. Enjoy the excellent cycling infrastructure! An obligatory photo of the Sytrain passing above you is a must!
Mural near the excellent Beaucoup Bakery
Vancouver
You've crossed into Vancouver proper and left behind picturesque, well-designed cycling infrastructure for some less-pleasant, gritty urban roads. But don't fret, the Arbutus Greenway is near! The Arbutus Greenway cuts North/South through much of Vancouver, providing a safe cycling path through much of the city. If you haven't stopped for coffee since the ferry, this might be a good time to take a break and imbide some calories. You are almost there!
After leaving the comfort of the Arbutus Greenway you'll head over the Burrard St Bridge which, thankfully, has been made cycling friendly as well. After crossing the bridge, make a sharp left and head West along the Seaside Bike Path into Stanley Park. Your final destination likely lies further along, but you've just completed a substantial ride from Victoria to Vancouver!