Love Machine Gravel Cycling Routes — North Van Local's Lap

North Van Local's Lap

North Vancouver, BC

Distance:

41.5 km

Elevation:

890 m

Tires: 32 mm+

Unpaved: 40%

Short and close to town, but with enough climbing and local stashes to keep things interesting.

The story goes like this; like so many others, I got laid off in March 2020. In between doom-scrolling and doomed job applications, I put my energy into pouring over every map, satellite image or Strava route of the North Shore I could get my hands on. I wanted to find each section of trail rideable on a gravel bike, and the best ways to link them. I’m not giving away all my secrets, but this route is a selection of quiet roads, gravel paths, and chonky FSRs that’s short enough to do in a few hours, with endless options for longer rides.

The loop can technically be ridden in either direction, but it’s primarily designed to go clockwise, starting at Waterfront Park. This direction is recommended if you want to get the hardest climbs out of the way early, and then mostly cruise down towards the Shipyards breweries.You might be familiar with bits-and-pieces (or even most) of this route, but hopefully there are a few hidden gem sections in here you can try for the first time.

Tire selection can be tricky, as the route is 60% paved, and most of the gravel is mellow and forgiving. However, there are a few sections (the powerlines near Grouse in particular) that can be pretty loose and funky.

One more note; a lot of this route goes along paths that are popular with hikers and dog walkers. So don’t be a dick, and be courteous to all other trail users.

If you're a masochist (hey, no kink-shaming here), we've even included a slightly longer version with more climbing here.

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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