I take pride in crafting trips that (whenever possible) avoid any need to rent a car. Except in rural locales, where there are no other options, cars represent the frustration driving in unfamiliar surroundings.
So traveling to superb multi-modal destinations, like Vancouver, makes me happy. Post EXPO 86 Vancouver knit together a remarkable multi-modal transportation network. There is robust public transport linking everything from the airport to downtown, the cruise ship terminal and a busy seaplane port. A huge advantage Vancouver offers is completely separated bike lanes (complete with separate bike traffic signals).
It is so wonderful to pedal in the city with more than a white stripe separating your from idiots in cars texting while driving.
For my last full day in Vancouver I rented an e-bike from Cycle City (excellent) for an afternoon spin through Stanley Park.
Stanley Park is one of the very finest urban parks in North America. It is an oasis of calm with stunning views at every turn located next to one of the densest neighborhoods in North America. The park offers a wide and beautiful waterfront trail perfect for leisurely walking and cycling. Spandex clad thigh hammer road bikers can stick to the roadway with the cars.
Cycling Stanley Park Along the Shore
Cycling over the Top of the Lions Gate Bridge
As readers may know, Roadboy loves me some bridges. And the Lions Gate Bridge is one of my favorites. It is a graceful, almost delicate span that softly emerges from the park. Designed by Monsarrat and Pratley of Montréal, the iconic Lions Gate Bridge opened to traffic in 1938. It was "officially" dedicated May 29, 1939 by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth and it remains one of Canada's longest suspension bridges.
I was surprised to learn that the Guinness Brewing family paid for the bridge during the height of the Great Depression. They needed a link from Vancouver to their residential suburbs in West Vancouver.
In 1955 Vancouver repaid the price of the bridge. It is named for twin peaks in the North Shore Mountains. According to the Canadian Encyclopedia it is about the same length as the Brooklyn Bridge.
For Expo 86 the Guinness family returned to pay for the installation of the necklace lighting on the bridge.
Although expanded from its original 2 lanes to 3, the bridge is clearly inadequate to address modern traffic. However, the City has resisted making any dramatic changes to the structure.
After my cycle tour of the park I returned to my hotel to pack and prepare for my flight to Victoria the next day.
Seaplane to Victoria
Despite BC's elaborate ferry system the most convenient and easiest (and arguably one of the most scenic) ways to journey from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria is via seaplane. The seaplane center is located steps from the Cruiseship terminal at Coal Harbor. Flights to Victoria are provided by Harbour Air. Harbour Air operates the largest all-seaplane fleet in North America. My flight, in a Canadian built DHC-3 De Haviland Single Otter was smooth but noisy (bring earplugs). Also, be aware luggage is severely limited on these flights. As a result, I upgraded my fare and packed more carefully than usual for this trip.
Pilot Readies for Take Off
Roadboy Selfies
Circling Over Vancouver
Landing In Victoria's Inner Harbor
The beauty of landing in Victoria's Inner Harbor is in the ability to walk grab my bag and simply walk to my hotel (a really wonderful DoubleTree located right behind the stately Fairmont Empress Hotel).
After meeting up with my cycle friends we found a cafe for some cider and halibut and chips. Then, I was off to sleep.
In the morning our 5 days of island cycling would begin.
Roadboy's Travels © 2023
No comments:
Post a Comment