Discovery Bike Ride #2: Pitt Meadows dikes / Barnston Island

During the torrentuous downpour we had this past Saturday afternoon, the Race the Ridge Towncore Criterium race course around Memorial Peace Park got flooded and the course eventually had to be changed. Councilor Linda King showed an admirable sense of duty. Obviously feeling responsible for the one and only drain that wasn't draining the big "lake" on the cycling course fast enough, she stood guard in the middle of the lake, in the pouring rain, every few minutes removing any grass or whatever else that could be clogging the drain. We should have had a camera! Not surprisingly, we had no bikes to look after for any spectators!

The race itself was, as usual, spectacular. The racers didn't seem fazed by the rain, although I'm sure it must have been a really tough race for them. They just kept going! For those of you who are interested, here are the results.

We can't let a little bit of rain discourage us from planning more bike rides though. Are you ready for the next one? Well, please keep your fingers crossed for a glorious sunny day this coming Sunday because we're heading out for our next Discovery Bike Ride!

Join "Peet's Ride", starting from the Stomping Grounds Coffee House in Osprey Village (see map) at 9:45 am on Sunday, May 15.  Come and make some new cycling friends and explore the dikes in Pitt Meadows!  Distance: approx. 20 km.  Here's a map of Peet's Ride.

If the weather cooperates and there is enough interest once we get back to Osprey Village we can have lunch (bagged or from the Stomping Grounds) and head across the Golden Ears bridge for a loop around Barnston Island: map.  This would be a little more strenuous and quite a bit longer.

Please note that we will need to ask all participants to sign a waiver at the start of the ride. Please arrive on time to allow us to get the waivers signed. Kids under 18 are welcome to participate, however they will need to be accompanied by an adult, who will be responsible for their safety. Please ensure that any participating children are physically able to complete the ride. On our rides we will try to avoid busier roads as much as we can, however sometimes we may have to ride on a short stretch of a somewhat busier road to connect to quieter streets.

Oh yes, just a reminder: cyclists are by law required to ride single file on roads, and also to wear helmets.

Please send an e-mail to Jackie at jchow23708@yahoo.ca if you're planning to participate.  For those of you who would like some company riding from downtown Maple Ridge to Osprey Village, please indicate this in your e-mail. A group of us could meet at Memorial Peace Park at 8:45 and ride together.

In case of rain the ride may be canceled. This will be posted on this blog on Sunday morning by 8 am at the latest.

Hope to see you Sunday!

Peter Jongbloed