Trip
Reports
Bike
Trip - TCT Across BC:
1.Vancouver
Island
2.West Vancouver
to Coquitlam
3.Coquitlam to
Albion Ferry
4.Albion Ferry to
Cultus Lake
5.Keith Wilson
Bridge to Hope
6.Hope to Princeton
7.Princeton to
Penticton
8.Penticton to
Creston
9.Creston to Alberta
border
3.
Coquitlam to Albion Ferry (June 9, 2001)
Coquitlam
Hoy Creek to Coquitlam River Bridge (Port Coquitlam/Coquitlam
border): 30 min.
This section of trail is well marked with a flat easy grade to cycle on.
The highlight is the section that follows along the West side of the Coquitlam
River. Salmon berries, goats beard mix with alder and maple trees. You
can hear the river as it flows south to the Fraser River. The river offers
fishing opportunities and in the summer is a great place to take a cool
dip. My biking partner, Lawrence Coen and I enjoyed this area most of
all.
Port Coquitlam
Coquitlam River Bridge (Port Coquitlam/Coquitlam
border) to Pitt River Bridge: 1 hour
The trail leaves the Coquitlam River Park and makes it way through a few
suburban streets and parks before connecting to the Pitt River dykes.
The trail grade remains flat, though we encountered steady head winds
once we entered the main part of Pitt River. Our view opened up with Golden
Ears Mountain to the North. Great Blue Herons nest along the riverbank
along with Canadian Geese and numerous species of ducks.
At the Pitt River Bridge we followed the paved pathway underneath the
bridge to the South side. Leon Lebrun has let me know there is a much
easier route to follow. From the Pitt dikes on the PoCo side you do not
need to go under the bridge. Rather, you ride straight onto the bridge
on the north sidewalk. This connects directly to the Pitt Meadows dike
on the east side of the Pitt River. This is the correct path. One of the
ideas being discussed is to provide a ferry service (privately operated)
so that cyclists and hikers do not need to go over the Pitt River Bridge.
Pitt River Bridge to Albion Ferry: 2 hours
The Pitt River and Maple Ridge dykes trail are well marked. Along the
way there are interpretive signs describing the history of the area. Lawrence
and I encountered more head winds through this section; regardless of
the direction we traveled. Very annoying.
Once you travel through the City centre of Maple Ridge you cross the Lougheed
Highway along 116th street. The TCT signage begins again across the Lougheed
Highway. Look for it. We did not and had to retrace our path after cycling
down the Lougheed Highway for a kilometer.
232nd Street is a paved road with a steady downhill grade to Kanaka Creek
Road. There is a paved pathway, which begins on Kanaka Creek Road. Follow
it to the Rainbow Bridge that goes over Kanaka Creek. This is a long wooden
bridge, which must have taken a lot of engineering skill to build. Once
on the other side take the RIGHT FORK. The TCT sign does not indicate
this, but take the trail to the right and follow it. There is no signage
for a while but remain on the path anyways. We got discouraged and retraced
our trail back to the bridge and then proceeded to follow the incorrect
left fork. This path brought us into a residential labyrinth of streets
with hills. We eventually got back on 240th Street and headed due south
for the ferry. I was badly disorganized for this ride. I left my precious
camera at home, mislaid my maps and directions and almost left my repair
kit, pump and water bottle at a restaurant. I hope I do better next time.