Vancouver questions

[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 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.

[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 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~