Bike ride in Richmond

The forecast was for above seasonal high temperatures this very sunny Sunday.  I opted for shaded routes and clockwise directions on our initial circle Richmond bike ride outing. Our small group of four set out from the Lansdowne area and circled 3/4 of the Garden City Lands.  Here, we sighted many wildflowers, such as bright pink colored Foxgloves, along the gravel trail to the corner of Westminster Hwy and No 4 Road. We then cycled towards the canopy of trees and shrubs lining both sides of the Shell Road Trail that kept us cool as the temperature climbed to 25 C.  We rode south until we emerged to the open clearing past Williams Rd. 

Our leisurely ride was made more fun by several breaks to make time for chit chat starting at the picnic tables next to the Thomas Kidd Elementary school playground.  We then headed west on Steveston Hwy and very much appreciated the brand new multiuse path for cyclists on the South side.  We got off at GJ Farms on No 4 Rd for peaches and then cycled to the grounds of the International Buddhist Temple, where we enjoyed the serene atmosphere and clean grounds graced with elephant statues, trickling water fountains, deer replicas and gardens reminiscent of Nara in Japan, and of course, several Buddhist deities one can't miss.

From there, we continued our journey west to Railway Avenue after picking up a box of irresistible fresh Fair stone strawberries from the highway farm stand.  For lunch at Steveston Village, we settled at Kari House for delicious roti, chicken skewers, shrimp coconut curry, and stir fried green beans, topped off with none other than the box of berries for appies and dessert.  We then walked off our meals and took some pics before heading on our bikes north on Railway Ave all the way to the bike park on Granville Ave.  Jupiter bravely test rode on the bike moguls before we headed back towards Richmond Centre to part ways.  It was a fun filled activity and we likely cycled at least 25 - 30 kms of Richmond’s flat trails.   

Ingrid