UBC Pacific Spirit Park is a popular network of trails for hikers, walkers, runners, and mountain bikers alike. Only certain trails allow mountain bikers, and generally the mountain biking crowd has long since departed UBC for more favoured, challenging trails on the North Shore. However, for it's proximity to Vancouver, getting out to UBC is still an enjoyable quick fix for those who like to ride cross-country.
There are a few notable routes for mountain bikers. For one, start down at Spanish Banks beach and see if you can ride up the fairly steep ravine ("Spanish") to the upper trails on the other side of 4th. Sword Fern - the part that is open to bikes - also has some nice twists and turns. Also note, if you get to the very corner of the endowment lands and 16th, you are close to the concrete platform pictured here (and labelled as resevoir on the map) which is an excellent place to practice wheelie drops and manual lifts! the closest trail here is called Sasamat. Just watch out for the glass on the platform. The campus itself has some excellent urban riding options.
You can take some of the trails down to the beach, and back, giving you some elevation change that is otherwise hard to find. To get there, take 10th Ave W all the way into the campus, or, park down by Jericho beach or Spanish Banks and walk/bike in. Another option, is follow 16th into the park and park anywhere along the side of the road, you'll generally see other cars parked there.
ByPosted By: Aaronbz
- Sat Jul 11 14:25:02 EDT 2009
Not Rated
UpsideThis vast forest in the city is a treasure and I am glad that we have preserved it for future generations. It is great for quiet meditative walks, bird-watching, and simply being surrounded by ferns and trees.
DownsideCyclists and joggers often act like they're on steroids and seem oblivious to people who move slow. They also tend to frighten and disturb birds and other wildlife because they move so fast.
CommentI think that the trails that are designated for pedestrians only should also exclude joggers. I also think that joggers and cyclists should stick to wider trrails, such as Pipeline and Heron as well as those on the circumference of the park. Moving with speed might be a great endorphin high but it tends to kick the reptilian brain into full operating mode and make one virtually oblivious to one's surroundings.
ByPosted By: ebiker
- Tue Jun 09 23:35:01 EDT 2009
Not Rated
QuestionGood Biking TrailsHi,
I just bought a knew bike and was wondering if anyone knew some good biking trails for the summer that I could start off with for recreational cycling. Anywhere in BC works!
Thanks!
ByPosted By: MilkNCookies
- Sun May 11 14:58:09 EDT 2008
UpsideThere are so many trails that there is an infinite number of routes.
DownsideBecause of the number of trails, navigation can sometimes be an issue. There is no way you can get yourself desperately lost, but if your not paying attention you might end up somewhere other than where you were expecting.
CommentUBC Pacific Spirit Park, also known as the Endowment Lands, is a great place to walk or ride your bike. It's suitable for most skill levels. There is also a trail map available through GVRD at http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/parks/maps/Pacificspiritmap.pdf
ByPosted By: jambo
- Sat Aug 10 19:02:24 EDT 2002
UpsideA conveniently close location for city dwellers who like to jog on trails. Most dog owners are pretty good about keeping them under control and the mountain bikers also generally look out for you around blind corners and such.
DownsideSome of the nice soft dirt trails (SE part of Salish and SW Marine) are currently being levelled and covered in gravel (I believe its actually called zero-slump cement).
CommentI personally like dirt trails with roots, holes, rocks and whatever else naturally occurs. For myself, the current 'upgrade' is just another step towards paving the world.
ByPosted By: Urban trekker
- Sat May 25 20:07:22 EDT 2002
UpsideClose to the city, well marked - other than coming up from Spanish Banks, most trails have moderate grades. Check out the Council trail to see one of the two creeks within the Park.
DownsideBusy - dogs on the loose and local residents who think the park is their own private turf.
CommentI can justify the comment about the local residents as I grew up about 2 blocks from the eastern entrances and spent twenty five years playing in the park. At that time we were happy to share the area with anyone. Is that still the case.
Posted By: Aaronbz
