Pick up this cool bike, the Brooklyn Cruiser, at Reckless Bike Stores in Vancouver
There’s no mistaking a Brooklyn Cruiser, with its distinctive cream-coloured tires and comfy leather grips, but until recently smitten Canucks had to head down south to purchase one. Not anymore. The company’s vintage-inspired bicycles are now available in several Canadian cities, including Vancouver. Check them out (and be prepared to fall in love) at Reckless Bike Stores.—Sheri Radford
Cycling photo by Chad Chomlack courtesy Tourism Whistler
Spinning your wheels in Whistler? Tired of other tourists? Rent a bike in the village from a supplier such as Salomon, pick up a trail map from the Tourism Whistler Information Centre and pedal to the quiet side of Whistler. The peaceful Valley Trail (pictured) winds under Highway 99 and away from the village, through grassy parks and leafy residential neighbourhoods, and around placid lakes dotted with red and yellow canoes. En route, kids clamber on jungle gyms as parents set out snacks on picnic tables. Rent for an hour—maybe cycle to Alta Lake and back—or go for longer to cover more of the 40-km (25-mi) route. It’s wheely fun!—Louise Phillips
Enjoy Calgary’s beautiful August weather at these great outdoor events this weekend and relax on Sunday by watching the Summer Olympics’ closing ceremonies.
AFRIKADEY! FESTIVAL Saturday Aug 11
On Saturday, the Afrikadey! Festival at Prince’s Island Park celebrates Calgary’s rich African culture, 10 am until 10 pm. Merchants and food vendors will be set up around the park, and the main stage features a star-studded lineup including Sudanese hip-hop act Emmanuel Jal and contemporary Ethiopian ensemble Krar Collective. Tickets $25 adult, $20 youth, available at the gate.
MARDA GRAS Sunday Aug 12
Experience that vibrant New Orleans Mardi Gras atmosphere right here in Calgary at this weekend’s annual Marda Gras festival. The event will be held between 33rd Avenue and 34th Avenue SW in the Marda Loop neighbourhood. (more…)
The Bobbin Birdie in robin’s egg blue. Photo: Bobbin Bicycles.
BOBBIN ALONG
Whether enjoying Calgary’s beautiful bike paths or making an urban commute, do so in style with the Bobbin Birdie.
This cute upright bike combines vintage with modern esthetics and is reminiscent of the city bikes typically ridden in the cycling-friendly city of Amsterdam. The UK-based company manufactures several styles of trendy bicycles (more…)
“Street Light” by Alan Tregebov and Bernie Wheeler is one of the stops on the Art Wheelers tour
Vancouver doesn’t need help when it comes to natural scenery, but our abundance of public art certainly enhances the city’s beauty. Join a guided bike tour by Art Wheelers (to Sep. 19) to visit sculptures such as “A-maze-ing Laughter” by Yue Minjun, “Street Light” by Alan Tregebov and Bernie Miller (pictured), “The Birds” by Myfanwy MacLeod, and “Salish North Star in Maple Leaf” by Wade Baker. Rent some wheels from Spokes Bicycle Rentals, where the tour starts.—Kristina Urquhart
Gastown Grand Prix photo courtesy Greg Descantes
The cobblestoned streets of Gastown come alive Jul. 11 for the Global Relay Gastown Grand Prix. This thrilling race attracts elite cyclists from around the world—including, back in 1991, Lance Armstrong—with a route that loops around landmarks such as the Gastown Steam Clock and statue of Gassy Jack. The action starts at 5:45 p.m., but arrive early, as 45,000 spectators are expected.—Sheri Radford
Ditch the car and explore Vancouver the way it’s meant to be seen: by bike. Our year-round mild weather makes this city the perfect place to embrace the two-wheeled mode of transportation, and the multitude of bike-friendly streets and trails caters to riders both big and small. (more…)
By KAT TANCOCK
Mountain Coaster at Blue Mountain, Ontario (Photo: Marc Landry)
Just like Canada itself, our ski hills are equated with winter. But there’s so much more to explore at the country’s ski resorts in the summer months. Here are 10 spots to visit while the weather’s warm. (more…)
Photo by tcp909
By Carissa Bluestone
Popular bike-sharing network BIXI is experiencing more shakeups in its home city only several months after Montreal’s government approved a $108 million bailout to cover the company’s deficits. On Friday, CEO Roger Plamondon resigned amid controversy over the deal with the city.
Grab a paddle, lace those hiking boots and ready that fishing pole: Where‘s headed to the North Shore
By Jennifer Patterson
Meghan and Mat glide through the water in brightly coloured rentals from Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak. Photo by KK Law
Get Wet
Water babies feel right at home in picturesque Deep Cove, a short drive from downtown Vancouver and a haven for water sports enthusiasts. Rent a kayak at Deep Cove Canoe & Kayak and glide through the water, up picturesque Indian Arm, to Granite Falls. This photogenic park offers camping spots for multi-day trips. A growing trend with both celebs and weekend warriors: paddle boarding. Stand upright on a long, flat, surf-style board and use a long paddle to manoeuvre through the calm waterways.
Grab a fishing pole and head into the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve for some peaceful trout fishing around Rice Lake. The main dock is usually busy but the three-km- (1.8-mi-) long path around the lake is filled with hidden benches and quiet corners.
Learn about the culture and history of the Coast Salish First Nations on a guided canoe trip through Indian Arm with Takaya Tours. The traditional wood canoes are 7.6 m (25 ft) in length and tours can be customized to include drumming, songs and stories. End your day on the water with a grilled salmon feast, available by request.
Stay Dry
Landlubbers seeking an outdoor escape head north of downtown to kick up dirt on the tree-covered mountains. The 48-km- (30-mi-) long Baden-Powell Trail, a winding stretch through the North Shore Mountains, starts in Horseshoe Bay and ends in Deep Cove. Don’t feel pressured to complete the entire route in one go—an ambitious venture, indeed—as the trail has multiple entry points and smaller trails branching off along the way. A couple of route highlights: the famous Grouse Grind, also known as Mother Nature’s StairMaster; the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge; and Quarry Rock lookout in Deep Cove.
Those with a need for speed grab a mountain bike and burn rubber on backwoods trails. Mt. Seymour, Mt. Fromme and
Meghan and Mat make their way back from Quarry Rock viewpoint on a well-established trail. Photo by KK Law
Cypress Mountain offer paved, gravel and plank-covered paths ranging from relaxed cross-country to extreme downhill. If you’re a first timer looking for a little guidance, companies such as Endless Biking (page 64) can set you up with an instructor and guide.
If a city bike is more your style, 10 km (6 mi) of paved trails await on the car-free Seymour Valley Trailway. Do you have some energy to spare? Peddle the paved roads all the way to the top of both Cypress and Seymour.
Head a little further north, to the Stawamus Chief Park, for hard-core rock-climbing on the second largest granite monolith in the world (think sheer rock face with nowhere to go but up). If you prefer pounding the dirt to dangling from ropes, make your way up and through the mountains via trails, ladders and stairs to either the first, second or third peak. The climb is a bit challenging but the 360-degree views from the top make it well worth the sweat. Before heading back into Vancouver, visit neighbouring Shannon Falls, the third-highest waterfall in British Columbia.
Up in the Air
Challenge your fear of heights on the 137-m- (450-ft-) long Capilano Suspension Bridge, hanging 70 m (230 ft) above the rushing river. This popular attraction with both visitors and locals added a jaw-dropping new feature this year: the Cliffwalk, a cantilevered and suspended walkway that juts out of a granite cliff face. The faint of heart may balk at the glass-bottomed sections, which offer crystal-clear views of the canyon far below.
Feel the wind beneath your wings as you set flight from the top of Grouse Mountain on a tandem paragliding ride with an elevation drop of 1,000 m (3,300 ft). No experience is required but a sense of adventure is a must.
Gear for Here
Stock up on clothing and equipment, for outdoor adventures both big and small, at Mountain Equipment Co-op and the Arc’teryx Factory Store.
A view of the Kootenays near Cranbook. Photo by That Angela
By Waheeda Harris
Modern day explorers still lust to explore the unknown – and for those wanting to point their car towards unchartered territories, the Crowsnest Highway from Alberta to British Columbia provides eye-catching views of the Rocky Mountains, historic places of interest and small town hospitality.
Modes of Transport
Highway 22 from Calgary is the way to get to the Crowsnest Highway via Turner Valley, which originates in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Although easily done by with four wheels, this old train route can be used by cyclists who will appreciate the wide highway shoulders through the mountains. Approximate driving time from Calgary to Cranbrook is four hours, 46 min and a distance of 379 km one way.
Roadside Attractions
It’s been 100 years since this rock slide happened, but the Frank Slide is still the main attraction of wee Frank, Alberta, located east of the Crowsnest Pass. When 82 million tonnes of limestone moved almost two kilometres in less than two minutes, the immense fields of rock are worth a stop to walk through the pathways (free admission). For those wanting an up close and personal experience of the Rocky Mountains, Fernie, British Columbia offers several trails for hiking and mountain biking. Adrenaline junkies will appreciate the wild ride of the Al Matador trail, (free access) which ascends 1200m in elevation as you navigate the single track. Make sure to point your camera lens at the Three Sisters, aka Mt. Trinity, a popular mountain of three peaks.
An hour west of Fernie, stop in historic Fort Steele, a former gold mining town that will transport you back to the 19th century. A ride on the steam train locomotive or a wagon ride will be a welcome late afternoon distraction from the road. Once you reach Cranbrook, spend time at the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel, featuring antique rail cars, train memorabilia and the restored Royal Alexandra Hall from the Canadian Pacific Railway’s Royal Alexandra Hotel, which had been located in Winnipeg.
Eats
Start your roadtrip with a hearty breakfast at the The Chuckwagon Café on Highway 22, part of the Cowboy Trail and less than an hour from Calgary in the rolling hills of Turner Valley. Located in a barn, the café serves up traditional eggs and pancakes that will make you feel like you can take on a day on the range. In Cranbrook, take advantage of the weekly Farmer’s Market held every Saturday morning for locally grown and made edibles and for a fine dining experience, make a reservation at Heidi’s, a favourite of the area. Their secret? The owners trained at the International Institute for Tourism and Management in Austria.
Sleep
If you’re lured to stay in the heart of the Rockies in Fernie, the Mt. Fernie Timberlodge ($385-449 per night) accommodates up to 10 travellers in an Alpine-style chalet. Weary from all that outdoor activity – guests can amble up a spiral staircase leading to the chalet’s treehouse with a hot tub with views of Mt. Fernie and Mt. Proctor. For the final rest stop in Cranbrook, forget the highway motel strip and kick it up a notch with a stay at the luxe Prestige Rocky Mountain Resort. Ask for the John Huber Express ($599.95 per night), choosing from the Naughton or Newcastle staterooms, with décor and amenities inspired by luxury railway travel of the past.
Read
The perfect accompaniment for the Crowsnest Highway, which lies along a former Canadian train route, would be the classic writing of mystery maven Agatha Christie. Three novels feature a train theme, and can be easily found in paperback or audio book: Miss Marple in 4-50 From Paddington, and Hercule Poirot in The Mystery of the Blue Train and Murder on the Orient Express.
The Osprey Raptor 10 is a versatile backpack available at Valhalla Pure Outfitters
’Tis the season to head outside. Didn’t come prepared for hiking or biking? No problem, just head to one of these shops: Mountain Equipment Co-op outfits locals in waterproof gear; Valhalla Pure Outfitters carries necessities such as backpacks with built-in water packs (including the Osprey Raptor 10, pictured); and North Face stocks cozy sleeping bags and sturdy shoes.—Jennifer Patterson