Rsvp 2014

[salsabike]

YES!!!! I remember that control and I remember you and Jan and Audun there looking freezing and soaked. I also remember that you guys had all these great boxes of food--chocolate chip cookies, other good stuff--and that we were so drenched and chilly that we stopped for two seconds and then just kept rolling. That is the wettest ride I've ever done, and around here that's saying something! I felt for all the volunteers at the controls, since at least we could keep moving--although I have to say even though we were moving, that was a really cold ride. By the time we came around the end of Lake Washington Blvd., there were huge lakes of water right in the road and I just started to laugh--got drenched right up to the knees. I still remember the secret control in the Arboretum, too--those guys had no cover either. Definitely a canopy is needed for the volunteers?

How's Auðunn doing now?

You know...there's a 1000k in a couple of weeks he could do, if he really wants to get into PBP....would be fun to have you guys there. PBP is a huge pageant and hearing the riders talk about being cheered on by the cycle-loving French is just amazing. And we are actually planning to go back to Iceland for a week, after PBP, and want some of his advice about his most loved places there.

I don't do the longer rides. But I like the rando community a lot. Good folks.

I know this is WAY off the RSVP topic now. Sorry, guys!

[AppleTree]

I finally had a chance to read your ride reports in detail...reading on my iPhone wasn't cutting it, what great stories you have. Knowing that there is an alternate route that is doable on the hilly section near Lake Cavanaugh is priceless, I'll have to remember that if/when we do RSVP again. Marie, what fantastic pictures! And you really captured the essence of "The WALL" too. I didn't feel too bad walking it, when I saw much younger and fitter guys also walking up that monster.

Lauraelmore, I hope your sitter recovers in time for your next cycling adventure, so sorry you had trouble again... still hoping to catch up with you some day at a Cascade Event...

Thanks for sharing your stories everyone!

[shootingstar]

It would be tough to find 1 particular longish street that would take a large string/peloton of RVSP group riders into downtown Vancouver, in particular to the Coast Hotel without any traffic congestion from local cyclists, cars, etc. during the day. The only other option would be to choose a hotel about 2-3 km. away from downtown Vancouver. Downtown is downtown in any major city.

The longest separated bike lanes run through the heart of downtown but not straight to/by the Coast.

Great photos, good the weather was better on latter ride day.

[MarieV]

Thanks, AppleTree! I much prefer the Lake McMurray route to avoid the climb up Finn Settlement/Lake Cavanaugh Road on Day 1.

Here are our route maps for Day 1 and Day 2, including the alternative route around Lake McMurray, which cuts out several hundred feet of climbing. Day 2 includes the short detour at the end of Barnett Highway.

RSVP Day 1 Route

RSVP Day 2 Route

Jean, although the Seaside bike path was more crowded, it was more scenic and much easier than riding through downtown. I don't think Cascade would ever change the finish since it's practically tradition to end at the Coast Plaza, but depending on the feedback for this year's ride, the Cascade ride organizers may want to consider a more direct route through downtown. I don't know why they don't take advantage of the separated bike lanes (e.g. Hornby) throughout downtown then just have everyone ride up Comox to the Coast Plaza. After celebrating with friends at the Coast Plaza Hotel we've always had to ride with our drop bags to whatever area we're staying. Whether that's in Yaletown or in Chinatown near the Central area, it's always been really easy for us to ride with our bags using Vancouver's separated bike lanes, even after such a long ride.

[shootingstar]

There is an easy bike oriented way to turn off from the Seaside path to get onto Hornby that doesn't need to even start from the bottom of the Hornby bike lane hill (though for Seattlers that's probably not a biggie). But using Hornby and onto Comox which is a newer separated bike lane (last 2 years) to get to hotel would be good.

I put it down to... maybe some cyclists just have to update their Vancouver route thinking. It does change because the city adds more cycling infrastructure.

Hornby St. is a popular for bike commuters ...so again long time cyclists might chafe cycling with many other cyclists.. but at least one is not dealing with pedestrians nor dogs in a separated bike lane.