North Shore Cyclocross Triple Crown
Sitting merely 10km north of the dense metropolitan of Vancouver is a rugged range of ridges known as the North Shore Mountains. Spaced across the south end of this range are 3 ski resorts: Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain, and Mount Seymour. The Cypress and Seymour ski areas can both be accessed by paved public roads. Grouse Mountain is typically accessed by a gondola to the south of the lodge, but also has a rough gravel road running up the east side of the lodge. This means there is a road connection to each of the 3 North Shore ski areas. Growing up, I always thought it would be neat to ride my bike up from the ocean to the highest point on each of the ski runs in one day. I would need a bike that was rugged enough for the rough gravel roads and smooth enough to be efficient on the pavement sections - and I knew my cyclocross bike was the tool for the job.
A few days after my high school graduation in June 2015, I finally decided to bring my vision to life. After a day of planning, and a night of little sleep, I woke up at 4:00am with anticipation. I got out of the house as quickly as I could, and arrived at Park Royal Mall in West Vancouver at 5:30am. I had my cyclocross bike and a small biking backpack with tools, food, and fluids on my back. I left a large excess of food and water in the car for the day. Before departing, I dipped my foot into the ocean at Ambleside Beach at sea level.
I wound my way up some empty roads towards Cypress Bowl Road. It is amazing how quiet the world is at this time a day. I was so awake it didn't feel early - it was a strange feeling. The weather was cool and dry, and the forecast called for a moderate dry day which was ideal for the trip I was undertaking. I meandered through British Properties and had to do a small hike up a mountain bike trail to get to Cypress Bowl Road. I went at a relaxed pace, knowing that it would be a long day; I wanted to stay as far from cracking as possible. The serenity of the trees, birds, and quiet empty roads kept me at ease, and passed time by quickly on the climb up Cypress. I found myself at Cypress Lodge at about 7:00am. This was the end of the pavement, and is where most cyclists turn around. However, I was determined to go as high as the roads would take me, regardless of how rough and heinous they were. I wound my way up the steep and rocky Mount Strachan service roads with a mix of hiking and pedalling. The higher I got, the better the views were. I soon found myself at the end of the road on a rock with spectacular views at about 8:00am at elevation 1430m.
After taking in the views for a while I made my way down. The road was a bit dicey, but I managed to ride pretty much the whole way down the steep road with my weight back, riding the brakes and picking smart lines. I soon got down to the lodge, where I ate a snack and filled up on water. There were very few people around with it being so early on a weekday. There was the odd hiker, and a few contractors doing work on the ski runs. I had a relaxing descent on Cypress Bowl back down to the car. At the car, I drank some more water, ate lots, and packed my bag full of food. I then enjoyed some flat riding along spirit trail, which took me to another beach that would mark the bottom of my climb up to Grouse Lodge.
After dropping some weight in a porta potty, I followed some low-lying roads through the urban center of North Vancouver, and worked my way up to the top of the paved portion of Mountain Highway. After the gate, Mountain Highway is a long dirt road that isn't too exciting. Again, I took it easy and spun in my lowest gear. After what felt like forever I arrived at some ski runs and started to get views. After receiving a blast of hydration riding through a snow-blower that was being tested, I arrived at the lodge, filled up on water, and ate a bit. There were lots of people at the lodge, so I rode slowly and was very careful not to get in the way of any customers or Grouse Mountain staff. I then pedalled and hiked straight up a super slippery and steep road to the highest chairlift. The road goes to the top of the highest ski run at elevation 1230m, and has a nice view of Grouse Lodge and Vancouver. This bump is called Grouse peak. At the north end of this peak is the Eye of the Wind, which is a wind turbine that provides power for 25% of the resort.
The descent back down to the lodge was steep and slippery, and required a bit of walking. It involved some involuntary drifting, but I kept it rubber side down. At the lodge I ate lots, drank buckets, and filled my bottles. I started descended Mountain Highway, and spent most of the descent on the brakes at a pretty slow pace. I saw a Grouse bird, on Grouse Mountain - how fitting!
There were some smooth fast sections, and some areas that were more bumpy. On one section 2/3 of the way down, I came into a bumpy rock garden with too much speed, and got a pinch flat. I took the opportunity to rest my hands before I replaced my tube and continued my way down the remaining portion of gravel road. I took the rest of the road pretty carefully. At the bottom my hands were pretty sore from the bumps and from pulling my brake levers so much, so I took another rest. I crossed a bridge over Lynn Creek, filled up my bottles, and ate at the recreation area at the end of Lillooet Road. I descended down to Dollarton Highway, and hit Cates Park Beach in Deep Cove, making another dip at sea level.
I wound up a steep road and trail, and got onto Seymour Mountain Highway. I made a quick stop at Cobb's Bread, and grabbed 2 large scones. With my legs now hurting, I slowly worked my way up the switchbacks of Mt Seymour Rd to the Lodge. Like in Cypress, Seymour Provincial Park also doesn't want bikes on trails. I made my way up the service road to Mystery Peak Express, with a careful mentality once again. I decided to stop when the road became not really a road anymore but a trail, sticking to my plan not to go off of safe roadways. I was pretty close to the top of Mystery Peak Express, and the view from the point I turned around was pretty satisfying at elevation 1120m.
I had a smooth descent down Seymour, and at the bottom willed my way back to the car in West Vancouver, doing a final sprint for good measure! I got to the car at about 6:30pm, exhausted. Overall, I could not have been more satisfied with this journey. I hit every peak and ocean that I wanted to hit, and got great views in every direction. I got home, ate, showered, then collapsed on the couch for 12 hours without waking up. What a day it was!
https://www.strava.com/activities/333126206
The North Shore Mountains behind Downtown Vancouver.
The ride route - a rotation between ocean dips and the high points of each ski area.
A few days after my high school graduation in June 2015, I finally decided to bring my vision to life. After a day of planning, and a night of little sleep, I woke up at 4:00am with anticipation. I got out of the house as quickly as I could, and arrived at Park Royal Mall in West Vancouver at 5:30am. I had my cyclocross bike and a small biking backpack with tools, food, and fluids on my back. I left a large excess of food and water in the car for the day. Before departing, I dipped my foot into the ocean at Ambleside Beach at sea level.
My cyclocross bike sitting at Ambleside Beach at dawn.
I wound my way up some empty roads towards Cypress Bowl Road. It is amazing how quiet the world is at this time a day. I was so awake it didn't feel early - it was a strange feeling. The weather was cool and dry, and the forecast called for a moderate dry day which was ideal for the trip I was undertaking. I meandered through British Properties and had to do a small hike up a mountain bike trail to get to Cypress Bowl Road. I went at a relaxed pace, knowing that it would be a long day; I wanted to stay as far from cracking as possible. The serenity of the trees, birds, and quiet empty roads kept me at ease, and passed time by quickly on the climb up Cypress. I found myself at Cypress Lodge at about 7:00am. This was the end of the pavement, and is where most cyclists turn around. However, I was determined to go as high as the roads would take me, regardless of how rough and heinous they were. I wound my way up the steep and rocky Mount Strachan service roads with a mix of hiking and pedalling. The higher I got, the better the views were. I soon found myself at the end of the road on a rock with spectacular views at about 8:00am at elevation 1430m.
Looking north towards the Lions from the top of Mt Strachan.
Me and my bike above Howe Sound at the top of Mt Strachan.
Me and my bike in front of the Lions.
My bike gleaming high above the Howe Sound.
After taking in the views for a while I made my way down. The road was a bit dicey, but I managed to ride pretty much the whole way down the steep road with my weight back, riding the brakes and picking smart lines. I soon got down to the lodge, where I ate a snack and filled up on water. There were very few people around with it being so early on a weekday. There was the odd hiker, and a few contractors doing work on the ski runs. I had a relaxing descent on Cypress Bowl back down to the car. At the car, I drank some more water, ate lots, and packed my bag full of food. I then enjoyed some flat riding along spirit trail, which took me to another beach that would mark the bottom of my climb up to Grouse Lodge.
My bike at a beach across the water from Downtown Vancouver.
After dropping some weight in a porta potty, I followed some low-lying roads through the urban center of North Vancouver, and worked my way up to the top of the paved portion of Mountain Highway. After the gate, Mountain Highway is a long dirt road that isn't too exciting. Again, I took it easy and spun in my lowest gear. After what felt like forever I arrived at some ski runs and started to get views. After receiving a blast of hydration riding through a snow-blower that was being tested, I arrived at the lodge, filled up on water, and ate a bit. There were lots of people at the lodge, so I rode slowly and was very careful not to get in the way of any customers or Grouse Mountain staff. I then pedalled and hiked straight up a super slippery and steep road to the highest chairlift. The road goes to the top of the highest ski run at elevation 1230m, and has a nice view of Grouse Lodge and Vancouver. This bump is called Grouse peak. At the north end of this peak is the Eye of the Wind, which is a wind turbine that provides power for 25% of the resort.
My bike at the top of the highest ski run on Grouse Mtn.
Looking down at Grouse Lodge and the city from the top of Grouse Mtn.
Looking at the Fraser Valley to the east.
My bike, and the 'Eye of the Wind' wind turbine.
The descent back down to the lodge was steep and slippery, and required a bit of walking. It involved some involuntary drifting, but I kept it rubber side down. At the lodge I ate lots, drank buckets, and filled my bottles. I started descended Mountain Highway, and spent most of the descent on the brakes at a pretty slow pace. I saw a Grouse bird, on Grouse Mountain - how fitting!
An angry Grouse in the middle of the road up to Grouse Mountain.
There were some smooth fast sections, and some areas that were more bumpy. On one section 2/3 of the way down, I came into a bumpy rock garden with too much speed, and got a pinch flat. I took the opportunity to rest my hands before I replaced my tube and continued my way down the remaining portion of gravel road. I took the rest of the road pretty carefully. At the bottom my hands were pretty sore from the bumps and from pulling my brake levers so much, so I took another rest. I crossed a bridge over Lynn Creek, filled up my bottles, and ate at the recreation area at the end of Lillooet Road. I descended down to Dollarton Highway, and hit Cates Park Beach in Deep Cove, making another dip at sea level.
My bike at Cates Park Beach in Deep Cove.
I wound up a steep road and trail, and got onto Seymour Mountain Highway. I made a quick stop at Cobb's Bread, and grabbed 2 large scones. With my legs now hurting, I slowly worked my way up the switchbacks of Mt Seymour Rd to the Lodge. Like in Cypress, Seymour Provincial Park also doesn't want bikes on trails. I made my way up the service road to Mystery Peak Express, with a careful mentality once again. I decided to stop when the road became not really a road anymore but a trail, sticking to my plan not to go off of safe roadways. I was pretty close to the top of Mystery Peak Express, and the view from the point I turned around was pretty satisfying at elevation 1120m.
My bike at the top of the ski runs on Mt Seymour.
Looking over at Mt Baker from the tops of the ski runs on Mt Seymour.
I had a smooth descent down Seymour, and at the bottom willed my way back to the car in West Vancouver, doing a final sprint for good measure! I got to the car at about 6:30pm, exhausted. Overall, I could not have been more satisfied with this journey. I hit every peak and ocean that I wanted to hit, and got great views in every direction. I got home, ate, showered, then collapsed on the couch for 12 hours without waking up. What a day it was!
https://www.strava.com/activities/333126206
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