East Van Waterfront

[bmor]

Is there still the route along the East Van waterfront from 2nd Narrows to downtown? I used to ride this years ago. I am thinking of 2nd Narrows, Waterfront to Downtown, through the park to Lions Gate and then back to North Van type of a loop.

[heckler]

according to the city, there is.

http://vancouver.ca/engsvcs/transpor...keways/routes/

[dkl]

not really anymore. you used to be able to ride along the waterfront in the harbour past the cannery restaurant, but they no longer allow public access. you can ride 2nd narrows, get off there, ride along wall street and either connect over to the adanac bike path or ride along powell to downtown through gas town. nothing scenic or traffic free along the waterfront.

[bmor]

I noticed the City map pdf now lists the road as private, where Wall Street ends. Commissioner Street and Stewart street, both "private" roads. It is a nice long flat stretch, but as stated, not much to see except industrial buildings. Looks like Wall Street to Adanac is the way to go. I bet this topic is so 2008.

[thewalrus]

If you blow through the checkpoint for cargo trucks along the waterfront road, you'll be chased down by a surly moustachioed beer-bellied security guard that doesn't particularly like cyclists...

[patrolskid]

whatzis sprint like ?

[thewalrus]

since it's a flat/mostly straight road and they have a toyota rav4, probably faster than mine...

[Duncan]

You can't ride through the Port anymore. The City map shows Wall Street, which is up on the bluffs above the Port. The Port is considered an off-limits/secure area now since 9/11. Wall Street is a pretty nice ride, Dundas/Powell is pretty busy during rush hour. And yes ... Union/Adanac is the way to go.

[boomforeal]

you can still ride through the port, though it is technically verbotten. when i lived in the neighbourhood we'd ride along there all the time: got stopped once by security, but only because we were taking pictures; usually they ignore you. best not to blow the checkpoint but if you ride west along wall street, about 2/3 blocks before you hit hastings you'll see a little park on the right with a (n open) footbridge leading over the road, and stairs leading down. hump you're bike down and you can ride on the flat with virtually no traffic all the way to crab park

[dkl]

Originally Posted by boomforeal

you can still ride through the port, though it is technically verbotten. when i lived in the neighbourhood we'd ride along there all the time: got stopped once by security, but only because we were taking pictures; usually they ignore you. best not to blow the checkpoint but if you ride west along wall street, about 2/3 blocks before you hit hastings you'll see a little park on the right with a (n open) footbridge leading over the road, and stairs leading down. hump you're bike down and you can ride on the flat with virtually no traffic all the way to crab park

well, that used to work I guess. The security guard comes in and swoops you pretty quick these days. perhaps you have better charm skills than me. i just get escorted out by the security each time i've tried.

[morgman]

I'll have to go check out that footbridge. I have a feeling it's closed off.

[switch900]

Careful Morgan. Last time I checked out that footbridge security was on us pretty quick. He never approached us though he just stood there and video taped us with a camcorder until we got so uncomfortable we left. Wierd. Regarding the rest of the ride it was my old commute to work. 2nd narrow to bridgeway st past the entrance to new Brighton park up trinity or around wall st then down to dundas/Powell st to gastown. It's a great route to downtown but it's not scenic. Officially It's the signed as the east van part of the transcanada trail. The part with needles and bedbug infested mattresses.

[morgman]

I really don't like riding on Powell, and unless you're already at the top of the hill there's no point in climbing from Wall to Adanac just to descend back to Commercial. You can wiggle your way through the streets and alleys between Powell and Hastings all the way to Chinatown, crossing Hastings at Woodland or going through the underpass at Raymur or if you want to want to get back to Adanac/Union.

[boomforeal]

well, that used to work I guess.

yeah fair enough, i guess i haven't tried that route in a few years. weird that security would get amped up rather than mellowing - the guy who stopped and questioned us (in what 2009) all but admitted he saw little point in cracking down on people on the port road

[dkl]

Originally Posted by morgman

I really don't like riding on Powell, and unless you're already at the top of the hill there's no point in climbing from Wall to Adanac just to descend back to Commercial. You can wiggle your way through the streets and alleys between Powell and Hastings all the way to Chinatown, crossing Hastings at Woodland or going through the underpass at Raymur or if you want to want to get back to Adanac/Union.

I live on Wall St., and I used to take this route to get downtown

http://g.co/maps/ky2q9

These days, I just go straight down Powell and sell out on the scenery for a quicker more direct route into the north side of downtown where my office is. Although i sometimes get a bit peeved with people that ride the adanac route ... such as, the guy who thinks he's in the tour de adanac and insists on passively pedalling harder when you try to pass, or the hipsters and their tight tight jeans and little little handlebars, people without helmets that just ride a bike like it was a fashion accessory ... but that's about it, even that really isn't that bad. Just some days it bugs me. Otherwise, everyone on the bike route is nice Hey, they ride bikes, they can't be that bad really.