Vancouver questions

[lizbids]

Since I'm starting my trip in Vancouver, I was wondering if someone can give me some tips here...
So far my research indicates the one airport...is there another one I should take a look at as well?
Also, the bike shop I'm using is in North Vancouver--about how much should a cab be from the airport? Any good motels to consider?

thanks, ladies...I need the help! :)

[teigyr]

What're you going to be doing? Let's see...I only know of one major airport, YVR. The hotel where I like to stay is the Fairmont at the airport. While it's not downtown, it is SO easy to catch my flight for the trip home! The hotel is nice too. I've stayed in some places downtown also but I'm sure someone who lives there has better ideas. The public transport from the airport is awesome.

I'm geographically challenged so I don't know where North Vancouver is but I've been to Granville Island, Stanley Park, and all over Robson Street.

Have fun! I have had the best times there :D

[nicole309]

What bike shop are you using, and what are you using it for? I was just in Vancouver about a month ago and it is a great place. Unfortunately, I got taken advantage of by a bike shop on 4th street. Wish I could remember the name. I shredded a tire on some glass the day I was leaving and figured I would just get a new one up there. I thought the guy was just being nice offering to put it on for me, but when all was said and done it cost me $70 for a tire that would have cost about $25 at my local bike shop. There are a few good (although pretty flat and short) bike trails in the city.
The Sylvia Hotel downtown is pretty nice, and fairly inexpensive.
Definately check out Stanley Park, the devastation from the windstorm this winter is a sight to see.

[lizbids]

I was recommended to check out John Henry Bikes
100-400 Brooksbank Ave. North Vancouver, BC

This is the start of my Vancouver trip...but then bike down the coast to Imperial City, CA :D Is there a decent bus system out there? I'm wondering if I should just stay in North Vancover...but I dont want to get ripped off on cabs and whatnot. Here in NYC you hear of taxis who take advantage of tourists. :eek:

[kelownagirl]

North Van is about as far from the airport as you can get. :)

There is an Airporter Bus that will take you downtown and drop you off at most of the major hotels. From there, you can probably walk to the Sylvia or whatever place you stay at. Look for the Airporter online and you will find the exact info. It leaves regularly from the airport and is MUCH cheaper than a cab. You can take the Seabus from the big sails building downtown (BC Place I think) and it will take you across to North Van. I *think* you can take a bike on the seabus. I'm sure Grog can tell you which bike store to check out.

I grew in Vancouver but haven't lived there in 20 years. I do visit often though as my daughter lives just off Robson.

[kelownagirl]

If you're biking down the Coast, you may just want to stay in Richmond or somewhere else a bit closer to the border etc. You can still ride downtown and see Stanley Park but you and your bike will be a bit safer. I can recommend a number of decent hotels in Richmond...

[teigyr]

Yes, I think Richmond would be a good idea. There's a pub there too that people rave about.

though I also think Kelowna would be beautiful to cycle in :)

[kelownagirl]

'tis. :)

What pub? (Richmond is where I actually grew up. :)

[teigyr]

The Foggy Bottom or the Froggy Bathroom or...sheesh. I used to know this! To be honest, I think it's attached to our crew hotel. Hah, the Foggy Dew! There's also a Flying Beaver that might be entertaining.

To be honest, it might be worth shuttling the bikes into Kelowna. The only bad thing is it's not so good for day trips just because the airport is a bit out there. It is soooo beautiful and I keep wanting to go to a play at one of the wineries there; think it's Mission Hill but I always forget the name of it.

I actually did a charter flight into Kelowna in winter and while I never left the plane, it was still really beautiful :D The other times have been in the summer and have been recreational.

ok, now, sorry. Back to Vancouver! Richmond would be more accessible and would get rid of possibly dangerous city riding.

[LBTC]

Liz, good info about getting around Vancouver can be found here:
http://www.translink.bc.ca/

I'll chat with DH, who is much less directionally challenged than I, and knows Vancouver quite well, for more tips to get you to John Henry the bicycle man in North Van.

To me, if you're working on keeping the hotel costs low, staying in Richmond does make sense, however, if you want the downtown Vancouver experience, the Granville Island Hotel, and all of wonderful Granville Island, are so fabulous! Totally worth it! And they have always been very good about storing our bikes in their locked manager's office behind the front desk.

Have fun!!

Hugs & butterflies,
~T~

[Grog]

I actually live in Vancouver right now and I know lots of bike shops. Sure John Henry is great, but it's truly far from the airport and very inconvenient. I wouldn't recommend you to stay at a hotel/motel in North Vancouver either, unless you have other reasons to do so.

I feel like I've missed some of the conversation here. What's the purpose of the trip? How long are you staying in Vancouver? Do you intend to buy a new bike????

Honestly, Richmond is .... well, boring, except for a tiny part. There are a few places to stay in town that are not too expensive, starting with the various accommodations at UBC (let me know if that's of interest to you), the Holiday Inn on Broadway (at Willow/Ash, I think the address is 700-something W. Broadway), the Best Western on Granville, and a few others. The Sylvia is indeed nice and very close to Stanley Park. Just drop me a private message if you want more info.

Awaiting for more info!