Monday, May 20th Cross Ride - Victoria Day Edition

[schouten]

Queen Victoria was a bonnie lass and to celebrate her birth it seems only fitting to cover ourselves in mud



and make baristas mop their floors.



As a staunch royalist (this has nothing to do with being out-of-town for Sunday's ride) I've learned that the holiday was established in 1845 and celebrated with sporting tournaments, so this actually does make sense!

I'd really like to make the run through Thetis all the way into Bear Mountain so I propose this tweaked version of last weeks Rock down to Electric Avenue ride. I'll probably revise as I don't like the trail duplication going into and out of Thetis. Instead, I would like to enter Thetis from the Northeast (maybe off Highland Rd near Prior Lake - suggestions?) but want to avoid excessive hike-a-bike as we need to be cognitive of scheduules.

[JTyre]

Instead, I would like to enter Thetis from the Northeast (maybe off Highland Rd near Prior Lake - suggestions?) but want to avoid excessive hike-a-bike as we need to be cognitive of schedules.

There are trails into Thetis off of Highland just north of Prior. However, if you haven't been there before, and are trying to avoid much hike-a-bike, I would not take them. Instead, carry-on up Highland, Barker, and Westoby to the end. From there, hook onto the Scafe Hill Loop Trail for a straight shot to Electric Avenue.

That's what I would do, but I don't have an all-purpose beard like you,

[schouten]

Thanks JT!



Does this mean you've got a kitchen pass?

[JTyre]

Thanks, Ron. You know that's all a lady needs to hear sometimes.

I won't be joining you. After this adventure on Saturday I expect that a Monday ride would feel like Everest.

[schouten]

That looks super fun. Have a blast!

[Rolf]

This sounds fun, Ron. I hope I can make it! I may ride Sunday instead (or as well? )

JT's right: it's pretty hard to avoid taking Barker/Westoby to transit Thetis Lake Park latitudinally. We've tried without luck for two years to find a reliable option that lets you stay on the bike and avoid trespassing. The alternatives are really only the Phelps connector by the highway, south of Thetis Lake, or the long, boring (ie. paved) ride-around of Munn to the north.

Another remark on Electric Ave.: there's a fire road just south of it that you can use to get to its eastern "start", even if you approach the area from the west. Also: last week you and L3 exited via Lost Lake and Millstream, and then came back via Mill/Lighthouse—but I find Electric Light pretty dreamy, and it lets you stay off the pavement.

Here's a loop that could be used to enjoy Electric Ave. when approaching from either east or west... https://www.plotaroute.com/route/833010?units=km

[schouten]

Thanks for the suggestions, Rolf! I've carved out a new route with the primary goal of getting into Bear Mountain without grinding excessive tarmac to get there. Routing up through Highlands Rd and connecting to the Scafe Hill Loop Trail to get to Electric Avenue (or Electric Light - whim will decide). Need to jump out onto Millstream in order to find the Old Skirt Powerline Entrance (is this the fire road you speak of?) to sneak into Bear Mountain.

Here is the new rebranded route: Canada Cup or Bust

It is about 50km and means a 16.5km/h pace to make it in 3 hours. Should be doable.

[mashby]

Is the start time of this Monday ride 0600 or
later (in observance of statutory holidays) ?

[schouten]

The queen requested it as close to 7:30am at Fairbucks as possible but will bump up earlier depending on participant needs

[mashby]

Won't object to an earlier start..

[schouten]

7:00am: roll out from Fairbucks
7:20am: pick up at switch bridge

[mashby]

See you at the switch bridge 0720.

[schouten]

I'm so sorry Mark, but I will not be able to make the ride. There's been a mix-up with my son's soccer tournament and I have to stay another night in Vancouver

[mashby]

C'est la vie Ron. I guess I'll let you know how it goes! Are any others riding Monday am?

[schouten]

Not that I have heard. Lots of people away for the long weekend I think.

Thanks for understanding. I try to be more reliable than this.

[Rolf]

I’m also out as I left what little mojo I have out on the trails today, performing a solo ode to masochism.

Mark: Tripleshot does their normal Sunday ride every stat holiday. You should give it a go! Just pump those knobbies up to 70-90. Your legs will be fine. Fairfield SBucks, 7:30 rollout. They’re friendly!

[mashby]

Thanks for the encouragement Rolf. Kinda have my heart set on this one.

[schouten]

Well, there is always next week...