Westham Island - Ladner Dyke

May 22nd – We have plenty of time for biking today so Hoody chose Westham Island/Ladner Dyke for the next biking adventure. Again, weather was a consideration. Koody insisted on a picture of me at kilometer 0 so I guess that is now part of the routine.

Only 1 km along the way and we stop to watch the kayakers on the Ladner Reach Waterway. Looking up into the sky we are eye witnesses to an optical phenomenon called a Sun Halo. It is produced by ice crystals creating coloured or white arcs and spots in the sky. We can relate to the ice crystals today as it is a mere chilly 10 degrees – certainly below the norm for this time of year. Hopefully it is our omen that all will go well today.

Continuing west on River Road we enjoy the sights of the colours of floathouse living and the various marine relics – Hoody alongside a beached harbor buoy and Koody imaginatively steering an old coastal troller up the Fraser River.



A bit further along and we arrive at Wellington Point – another scenic stop. While Koody tries to catch a few birds, Hoody sits still long enough for one to land on her helmet, minus any droppings.

A short .7 km traveling due west and we reach the bridge entrance to Westham Island. It’s the centennial year for the bridge and our crossing feels like we are entering a time in the past. Koody is ecstatic and nearly takes a flying leap off the bridge. However, the first sign on our right quickly brings us back to the present – have we somehow crossed the border in error?

The Island is notoriously windy, today being no exception. Our legs are pedaling 30km/hr but this headwind slows us to maybe 5km/hr. And then what does Koody spy with his little eye? A “Murphy” – aka a tennis court. I know it’s strange but for us it’s a photo-op.

And then on to the Westham Island Estate Winery where we sample a couple fruit wines. Koody can’t resist the ‘Just Ducky’ while Hoody opted for the ‘Strawberry-Rhubarb’. In the end we purchased some fruit syrup, wine jelly and shortbread. I left behind the rocking chair that I fell in love with. Koody convinced me I couldn’t put it on my bike but after seeing the Chinese carry refrigerators and tv’s on their bicycles, I still think I would have managed just fine.


We continue to ride, noticing the middle class bird housing on the left and the ‘other half’ luxury condo’s on the right. That signaled the road’s end at the Reifel Bird Sanctuary and a chance to rest for lunch.

We laid out our gastronomic feast and Hoody proceeded to feed the beast! A pleasant view of the wildlife – no not a Koody – and we were heading off the Island along the same road we had just travelled. Reverse direction and we are back into the gale force headwind – where’s the justice in that we ask.

We make it back to the bridge, take a quick right on to River Road and head due west again, taking us to the Ladner Dyke. The cool gale force winds continue to plague us and it now strikes me that Koody is feeling the effects of the wine tasting - he is ‘wine’ing all the way to the dyke about being cold. Could it be – Koody is going to ‘pull a lemming’ today and abandon the ride? This serves to spur Hoody ever onward with Koody in tow, finally reaching the dyke and a respite from the wind and cold.

We now head south on the bumpy, gravel pavement of the dyke, trying our hand at identifying a few plants along the way. It’s obvious - Horticulturalists we are not. We reach the train tracks which mark the beginning of the end for today. We turn east and then reach 41B Street which takes us back to Ladner.

But even this rural route brings wonder and amusement to our day. A Heron gracefully wanders along the road until being chased away by some pesky crows. Further along there seems to be an ongoing feud. And a few hazards to boot – we have to watch out for the ‘Attack of the Killer Tomatoes’.

Finally reaching Ladner, we find a nice deli/coffee shop to stop and remember our day’s outing. Koody orders a chicken soup to warm his body while Hoody opts for a coffee – a caffeine hit for the drive back to Vancouver. And then it will be ‘tuck-me-into-nap-time’ again when Koody makes it back home, our 24km jaunt taking its toll once again. Until we ride again……

Demonstration Forest

May 8th – and our ride almost didn’t materialize. Koody was detained riding across the Lions Gate Bridge to our rendezvous point by some guy threatening to throw a rock at any cyclist who crossed his path. Fortunately the police arrived promptly and apprehended the individual.

Koody elected the Demonstration Forest for this next outing. It is a pleasurable ride through the glacier-carved Seymour River Valley. We drove to the parking lot at the Rice Lake Gate, got out of the car and it was then that I took notice of Koody – all buffed and decked out in official biking wear – complete with gloves and special shoes. Yikes – I might be in for some serious riding.

The scenic up and down hill ride on a paved forest path is about 11km’s one way. We caught up on the past weeks news while riding, probably Koody’s method of diverting my attention while riding up the one serious ‘big hill’. My struggle was minimal so I guess my fitness hasn’t deteriorated completely, unlike ‘buff’y here who barely changed gears. We took a welcome break at the Seymour River before retracing our steps back. Koody mentioned he should have brought a snack, so I guess our future outings might include a picnic as well. Or maybe he was still relishing his ‘big one’ – that giant cupcake.

So we begin our journey back which starts with a long, slow uphill climb. I geared down all the way, so much so my chain fell off. At that moment, what does Koody reveal to me? “I don’t know how to fix bicycles”. I thought bringing him along would be my safety net, not! Well, I’m working at getting the chain on with Koody taking a lesson in 101 bike maintenance, when who should pass us – slow and steady 80 year old grandma with her remark – ‘It’s easier if you turn the bike upside down”. I have to admit it worked like a charm and we were off in no time.

The rest of the ride back was fairly uneventful; passing grandma at warp speed, smelling the fresh pine laced with a faint hint of ‘wacky tobacky’ from the skateboarders and practicing a bit of hands free riding, something I did all the time as a kid and which Koody has never attempted. I’m beginning to wonder when Koody first rode a bike – is it possible it was our 1st trip to Point Roberts? Is his official dress all a façade? What else do I need to know that he isn’t telling me? In the meantime, we’ve clocked another 22km’s in about 3 hours, including rest stops.

An aside as there was one damper to our perfect day – we passed an accident on the way back. We’re not sure how serious but an ambulance did arrive to take the lady to the hospital. A word to the wise – always wear a helmet.

Point Roberts

This is the summer biking adventures of Hoody and Koody. With my newly installed hidden hitch and bike rack on my car, I feel immense freedom to begin exploring the great outdoors with my sidekick, Koody. But don’t be fooled, this is more than just riding trails around the lower mainland of Vancouver, it’s about friendship, camaraderie, helmet hair and anything else that might come our way.

May 1st - I chose our first ride –Point Roberts – strategically, according to the weather. The odds were in our favour we’d actually find a bit of warmth and sunshine the further we distanced ourselves from the North Shore Mountains. We parked the car at Diefenbaker Park in Tsawwassen and commenced with the opening ceremony. It included christening ‘the rack’, cutting the ceremonial ribbon and paying tribute to Numero Uno with a decadent ‘Big One’ – aka – an extra large size chocolate cupcake in celebration of Collin winning the Men’s 40 Singles Title at the Vancouver Lawn Tournament. With pomp and circumstance completed we were on our way.

First stop – U.S. Customs - a minor inconvenience. Passing with flying colours, we headed due east on the peninsula to Boundary Bay. The views across the water are lovely, and the serenity captivating.
No surprise finding ‘Green Gables’ at water’s edge (knock, knock, is Anne in?). Leaving the Bay behind, we turned inland, passing a few trinkets of antique farm implements and a windmill – ahh, the joys of Smallsville, USA. Next up, the only hill on the route – Hoody huffed and puffed while Koody blew her away. Then on to the south of the peninsula and low and behold – Murphy’s house – complete with a tennis court. It was obviously on the migratory route of the Herons at
Stanley Park as it was littered with giant sized bird shells and some doo-doo droppings. We made a fast exit before being hit, rounding a corner to a short stop at Lighthouse Marine Park and views of Georgia Straight.

It was now time to head back to the car but not before a quick stop at the American supermarket. Koody picked up a snack and bottle of wine. I assured him the alcohol was within his allowance. Wrong advice but the customs agent let him go. Probably the last time Koody listens to me.

Our first outing and we logged 15km in a leisurely 2 hour pace, now ready for a bite to eat. But not before a quick detour to check out the Tsawwassen tennis courts We were asked about joining so obviously they were impressed with the Number Uno branded on Koody’s forehead. Finally we carbed up on pasta and headed home. After a wonderful day in the fresh outdoor air our baby Koody was just ‘plum tuckered out’ and ready for a 2 hour beauty rest. Until next ride…….