The ferry ride to Langdale was 40 minutes which is the start of the Sunshine Coast. For the first few miles, a long uphill awaitted us ... four lanes with a wide shoulder. Finally reached the peak after working hard and even walking the bikes sometimes. Then coasted towards Gibsons Landing, a funky seaside village, with a relatively big marina.
We ventured into Gibsons Landing which required a very steep descent to the waterfront. After exploring the small village for 30 minutes, we stopped at a pastry shop for croissants. Pushing the bikes half a mile up 20 degree hill required some fuel.
As we were grunting up the steep hill, a local man told us about an alternative way to which bypassed most of the hill. It was scenic route along quiet residential areas and finally dead-ended at a beach. The alternate route is to follow Gower Point Rd. which will turn into the Ocean Beach Esplanade, eventually dead ending on Ocean Beach.
Now we had to push our bikes across half a mile of beach to get to steps that would take us back to the Lower Rd. and eventually to Highway 101. Crossing the pebble and sandy beach was like dragging heavily laden bikes through molasses. After a good workout and rest stop, we found the steps. We had to unload all the gear to be able to carry the bikes up some 40 steps and a gnarly steep trail. A local couple who happened to be there helped to carry gear and Debbie's bike to the road. The couple gave another tip for more scenic ride which avoided highway.
The steps and trail from Ocean Beach took us to Gulf Rd. and a brief climb to Lower Rd. We rode on this road until it winds around and turns into Beach Ave. Continued on Beach Ave., right on Henderson to a dead end. To get to 101, a trail through Roberts Creek Provincial Park needed to be traversed. The initial part of the trail was extremely steep which required muscling the bikes up one by one ... another workout. After a short ride through the park we arrived back on Highway 101.
After lunch at the Gumboot Garden Cafe, we pushed off to the Creekside Campground on the South side of the Sechelt area.
We ventured into Gibsons Landing which required a very steep descent to the waterfront. After exploring the small village for 30 minutes, we stopped at a pastry shop for croissants. Pushing the bikes half a mile up 20 degree hill required some fuel.
As we were grunting up the steep hill, a local man told us about an alternative way to which bypassed most of the hill. It was scenic route along quiet residential areas and finally dead-ended at a beach. The alternate route is to follow Gower Point Rd. which will turn into the Ocean Beach Esplanade, eventually dead ending on Ocean Beach.
Now we had to push our bikes across half a mile of beach to get to steps that would take us back to the Lower Rd. and eventually to Highway 101. Crossing the pebble and sandy beach was like dragging heavily laden bikes through molasses. After a good workout and rest stop, we found the steps. We had to unload all the gear to be able to carry the bikes up some 40 steps and a gnarly steep trail. A local couple who happened to be there helped to carry gear and Debbie's bike to the road. The couple gave another tip for more scenic ride which avoided highway.
The steps and trail from Ocean Beach took us to Gulf Rd. and a brief climb to Lower Rd. We rode on this road until it winds around and turns into Beach Ave. Continued on Beach Ave., right on Henderson to a dead end. To get to 101, a trail through Roberts Creek Provincial Park needed to be traversed. The initial part of the trail was extremely steep which required muscling the bikes up one by one ... another workout. After a short ride through the park we arrived back on Highway 101.
After lunch at the Gumboot Garden Cafe, we pushed off to the Creekside Campground on the South side of the Sechelt area.
The beach trek started here after descending the steps
It was the most radical alternative route we took, but the scenery was nice
Rest stop ... half way there
Lunch at the Gumboot Garden Cafe
A steep trail at the start of Roberts Creek Provincial Park to get back on Highway 101
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