Sea Island - Richmond Loop

Comments:

This route is little advertised but good nonetheless.  It is easy to put on 100km without feeling like you are in the city.   The loop has a bit of everything.  Airports, ocean beaches, river parks, fishing villages, ice-cream shops and open roads.  There's even the occasional curve to keep your bike's steering head bearings from rusting in one position.

Start at Queensborough Bridge and head towards Sea Island along the north arm of the Fraser.  River Rd between Queensborough and #6 curves gently while providing pleasant scenery and small parks on the river bank.    After #6 you take Vulcan Way to #5 and then turn north to pick up River Rd again.  River Rd eventually feeds into a convoluted mess at #3 Road and Bridgeport but head south to Sea Island Way to gain access to Sea Island (see second map below - Sea Island Detail).

After crossing the Moray Bridge (Sea Island Way) you'll be confronted with another complex intersection made especially difficult by continual construction but take the immediate right and it should lead to Iona Beach.   This is a surprisingly long run (about 10km or so) weak on curves but strong on airplane views.  It has a remote country road feeling which is always a plus when riding within the city.  The final few kilometers have a few extra curves before ending in Iona Island Regional Park.   If you don't mind the thought of having a Waste Treatment Plant as your destination, the beaches and causeway are a great place for wildlife, ocean and airplane viewing.

The unique attraction of Sea Island is of course the airplanes.  So, if you want more than the 20km afforded by the Iona Beach route, head over to the south side of Sea Island and the float plane dock (see second map below - Sea Island Detail).  I take a circuitous route over Grant McConachie Way because of the nice swooping curves and the option of looping into the Terminal if I choose (usually I don't so choose).  If you do this, follow the signs to the South Terminal.   This means taking Miller Road to get back to Russ Baker Way and turning right just before the Dinsmore Bridge forces you to leave Sea Island.

After checking out the south part of Sea Island, I cruise back to Sea Island Way and take #3 Road south to Captsan Way.  Turn right onto Capstan Way and then left onto River Road.  River Rd is once again a pleasant ride winding its way along the dike until you are looking out over the Sturgeon Banks.

Having spotted a sturgeon, you are now ready to take #1 Road south to Moncton St in Steveston.  This is the only stretch with city traffic.  If you manage to hit green lights the 5km traverse is fine, if you are unlucky the interminable stoplights will guarantee insanity by the time you hit Steveston.   I've yet to find any redeeming qualities in this stretch except that it makes Steveston more interesting in comparison.   Steveston is a great place for lunch but, being a fishing village, you'd better like seafood.  If you don't like seafood there is plenty of ice-cream.  From there, you can take Moncton St to #2 Road and then drop down to Dyke Road or you can take a more interesting backroute around the marina as indicated in the "Steveston Detail" map included below (turn right at Railway).

After Steveston, follow Dyke Road as indicated to #99.  Dyke Road is nicely twisting and curving with many riverside parks.  It is certainly worth the traverse across Richmond.  If you're alert you'll see the NDP monument in the form of Fast Cat Ferries.  Even the shrink wrapping has failed.   Torn to shreds from the elements.  A fitting epilogue begging for a photograph... 

At #99 you have a decision to make.  You can drop down to Delta and follow Delta River Road back to the Queensborough Bridge as indicated (see Delta Run page for details).  Or take the yellow route along #6 (which isn't as straight as it appears) and either head back to River Rd or visit the two motorcycle shops along Westminster Highway.

Map (Click on map for full size):

Route Overview

Sea Island Detail

Steveston Detail

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