Bike the Blossoms 2017

It’s time to Bike the Blossoms! Congratulations Vancouverites, our patience has been rewarded! This quintessential Vancouver ride symbolizes all things spring and is one of my favourite local cycling events. Should you only hop on your bicycle once this year, Bike the Blossoms is the ride for you! In conjunction with the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival, this free, annual group ride, organized in partnership with Velopalooza, guides cyclists of all ages, shapes and sizes along a route carefully constructed to showcase the best of Vancouver’s gorgeous cherry blossoms.

Celebratory in nature, Bike the Blossoms is indescribable and should be at the top of your spring ride to do list. Frankly, I am hard-pressed to name another group ride that has such a positive vibe. I imagine this treasured springtime tradition awakens the inner youngster in all of us. Childhood memories of first bikes, outdoor play, walking barefoot in the park and ice cream trucks come roaring back. Undoubtedly, cycling slowly on Vancouver’s traffic-calmed streets, winding along Cherry tree lined roads, and savouring the fragrance of spring blossoms brings out the best in us.

Last year, while Biking the Blossoms, I was deeply impressed by the camaraderie of the participating cyclists. As the warm spring sun shone down upon us, there was a shared sense of wonder, excitement and pride in our City. Departing from the staging area, riders shouted out with glee, rang their bike bells and set off on a shared adventure and quest for colour. Granted, we were not breaking any distance or speed records nor were we attempting to. It was a delightfully slow, glorious ride. Most importantly, we were stopping to smell the roses, or should I say Cherry Blossoms, and that is Very Vancouver!

Date: Saturday, April 29th 11 am – 1 pm

Getting There: Meet on the south side of John Hendry Park (Trout Lake) at 3300 Victoria Drive. Arrive early to sign waivers or better yet, download the form here.

Project 529: Have you registered your bicycle with Project 529? Help Vancouver end bike theft, by joining the 529 Garage, a community-based bike registration and recovery service. Folks from the 529 Garage will be on-site during Bike the Blossoms to assist you with the free registration process. Interested in learning more? Visit the Project 529 website.