Car Free Cycling on Vancouver’s North Shore

Discover Outdoors Seymour Demonstration Forest9

Car free cycling, Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve Photo: Rob Weiss

Imagine a 10 km paved roadway through a lush and scenic rainforest.  Now remove all vehicle traffic and add the majestic North Shore Mountains.  Voila! You have arrived at the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, affectionately referred to by locals as the Seymour Demonstration forest.  Outdoor enthusiasts of all ages flock to the trail and employ all modes of transportation to explore this unique treasure.  Don’t be surprised to encounter sleek road racers, sturdy downhill mountain bikers, babies in strollers, inline skaters and tots on striders all sharing this unique North Shore experience.  A delightful mix of folk to be sure!

Continue reading:
Car Free Cycling on Vancouver’s North Shore

Cycling Vancouver’s Sea to Sky Highway

Discover Outdoors Sea to Sky Highway6

Horseshoe Bay Photo: Rob Weiss

Cyclists around the world have a love/hate relationship with hills.  For some, hills represent a mental challenge, others are intrigued by the physical challenge and for many it is simply the thrill of the descent after a long, difficult climb.  No matter what draws you to the hills, there is no more desirable, scenic or exciting climb than the Sea to Sky highway.  This demanding ride from Vancouver to Whistler is a visual smorgasbord offering panoramic views of Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains.  Recently, my husband and I decided to test our legs and set our sites on Whistler.

Continue reading:
Cycling Vancouver’s Sea to Sky Highway

Bike the Blossoms – Saturday, April 9

Discover Outdoors Bike the Blossoms3

It’s time to Bike the Blossoms Photo: Rob Weiss

Grease the chain, grab your helmet and mark your calendars – it’s time to Bike the Blossoms!  As part of the 2016 Cherry Blossom Festival, and in partnership with Velapalooza, Vancouver is hosting Bike the Blossoms, a community ride and celebration of all things spring.  I intend to be there with “bells on!”  Over the years, blossom viewing has become an art form and I must applaud Vancouverites on their creativity!  We illuminate the blossoms, we paint pictures of them, photograph them, walk under them, sing about them, talk about them, display them on barges and even toss a few in our salads.  Only our imaginations limit our ability to celebrate our magnificent, flowering cherry trees.

Continue reading:
Bike the Blossoms – Saturday, April 9

Vancouver’s Best Eagle Viewing

Discover-Outdoors-Vancouver-Eagles2

Photo: Rob Weiss

The eagle has landed! Majestic, powerful, striking, imposing, brave, noble. In aboriginal northwest coast culture, the Eagle has been a source of inspiration for both traditional and contemporary artists since the beginning of time. This amazing creature symbolizes grace and power. The eagle captures my imagination and there is no better place to get up close and personal with these fantastic birds than Mud Bay Park. During a walk, jog or ride along the dyke trail it is not uncommon to see dozens of eagles. Now is the perfect time to go to watch these symbolic birds busy at work building and repairing their nests.

Continue reading:
Vancouver’s Best Eagle Viewing