Love Machine Gravel Cycling Routes — The Afterschool Special

The Afterschool Special

Vancouver, BC

Distance:

43km

Elevation:

475m

Tires: 28mm+

Unpaved: 50%

A mellow mixed surface ride with scenic views, short enough to squeeze in whenever.

In all our searching, we haven’t seen many posted gravel routes that run west of the city. It’s probably because there isn’t much gravel here, and what gravel there is is pretty tame.

HOWEVER, don’t take that as a knock on this route. It’s a fun, mostly flat loop that meanders along the beach, through sections of old growth forest and down to the Fraser River. If you’re confident, you might even be able to get away with a road bike on this one. Because of that, it’s great for those who might just be starting to give gravel riding a try, or are just getting back into shape after a winter on the couch.

A fun game on this loop is to count how many 18-hole golf courses you pass by, all within the city limits of a town experiencing a major housing crisis.

If you want more dirt or more kilometers, you have a few options. Have some fun finding new trails in Pacific Spirit or Stanley Park. Retrace your steps home instead of hopping onto the Arbutus Greenway. OR try this version that links together a few gravel sections out towards Iona Beach. THE WORLD IS YOUR OYSTER.

Happy trails,
Love Machine

Each Reader or cyclist is warned, understands and agrees that cycling can be hazardous to their health, including risk of personal injury. Each person remains wholly responsible for their own safety at all times. Reader agrees to assume all risks connected to or arising out of the activity of cycling. Anything stated herein constitutes mere identification of routes or subjects, and Reader is warned to investigate wholly for themselves the current condition and potential fitness of a route for usage by themselves and others. Conditions change constantly. No person, nor Love Machine, makes any form of endorsement or recommendation of route, nor any form of representation or warranty as to the existence, condition, safety, or fitness of any part of any route. Additionally, the identified pathways, trails or routes were created long ago by others. Readers are warned that the routes or trails identified may cross Indigenous Lands, or Private Lands, where usage of route may be prohibited or unwelcome.

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