The first of many gravel group rides!
This Saturday March 25th we will join forces with the fine folks at @lovemachinecycling for a social gravel group ride in North Vancouver.
We are excited to kick off our first ride in our old backyard with a group who’s focus is also to grow the gravel community. Depending on how many people show up we may break up into smaller groups. The weather doesn’t look perfect, but hey it’s Vancouver grab your gore-tex and come get soggy. Maybe we can find a brewery afterwords to warm up and socialize for those thirsty gravellers. We will be giving away 2 entires to BASECAMP and everyone who joins will get the chance to enter their name for a chance to win. (✿◠‿◠)
WHO IS LOVE MACHINE?
Love Machine was started simply as a Vancouver-based community of people who love to go outside and ride their bikes. In a culture increasingly defined by glorifying suffering, Love Machine is an ego-free invitation to embrace the joy of cycling. We make routes and gear for people who ride, people who don’t and everyone in between.
We feel a deep love and connection with our local forests, trails, roads, FSRs and single track. Love Machine's goal is to share that feeling with everyone.
Additionally, supporting our local community is very important to us. We ask anyone who rides our routes and likes them, to send a few bucks over to PHS Community Services Society, a charitable non-profit that provides housing, healthcare, and harm reduction to some of the most vulnerable and under-served people in Vancouver and Victoria. If you didn't like the route, maybe send them a few bucks anyway :)
Download / View the Ride with GPS Route Link
here → N.Van Locals Lap
ROUTE INFO:
The Local's Lap is a mixed surface ride that links together some of the lesser-known gravel patches scattered across North Vancouver. It's 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. This gets the hardest climbs out of the way early, so you can cruise down towards the Shipyards breweries and coffee shops.
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 that can be pretty loose and funky. I'd recommend 32mm+ One more note; a lot of this route goes along paths that are popular with hikers and dog walkers, don’t be a jerk, and be courteous to all other trail users.
RIDE PLAN/SCHEDULE
Date: March 25th, 2023 Time: Meet at 9:45am - Roll out at 10:15am
Staring location: Mosquito Creek at W16th Street entrance
(Corner of W16th/Larson RD & Fell Avenue) We will start here to avoid the busy dog walker zone down by the water with a large group.
End location: We will finish near House of Funk & Beere on East Esplanade.
This will give many beer and cider options for everyone as we may not be able to find a spot large enough for the whole group.
After ride beer stop tip: If you are going to stop with us after the ride for a beer go cruise by the brewery and toss your u-lock on a bike rack while we ride so you don’t have to carry it for 40km :)
CAFE STOP: Roughly 30km we will make a stop at our friends cafe United Strangers on Mount Seymour Parkway & Emerson way for a snack and quick coffee. If you haven’t been here yet you are in for a treat. There is plenty of bike parking and outside covered space, we have notified them we will have a large group coming by but please be patient to cafe staff and courteous to their customers as they accommodate our large group.
RIDE YOUR PACE, IT’S NOT A RACE!
This is to be a fun social ride, some folks might climb faster than others but it’s important you have fun and ride safe. Please obey all road & trail rules and be courteous to other trail users. If you get broken up at a light wait for the people behind you so they don’t feel the need to blow a stop sign or red light.
[ ◉¯] If you take any photos from the ride on Saturday we would love to see them,
tag @basecampgravel and @lovemachinecycling so we can see all the magic!
*BASECAMP Gravel and LOVE Machine Cycling are not responsible for any injuries or damages during this ride. Please look out for one another and ride safe! <3
We still have some spots open in registration for BASECAMP in June, hit the link to register! → www.basecampgravel.ca
And lastly if you need some mid week tunes to pick you up and carry you to Saturday's ride, here is a little gem for your eyes and ears.
See you Saturday!
<3 The BASECAMP Fam.