Canada Day – Soet Style:
We did it again, on Canada Day, Miriam, Debra Colvin and I hiked the whole 48 km Baden Powell trail from Horseshoe bay to Deep Cove. Joining us at Grouse for the last half were Alex Lau and Judy Potter. Here is a link to our pictures.
Start time: 4:40 am (We got up at 3 am)
Finish time: 11:17 pm
Total time: 18:27
Total cumulative elevation gain: 2626 meters (8,615 feet)
There are four sections, each around 12 km:
Time to Cypress: 4:24 (arrived 9:04 am, left about 9:30)
Time to Grouse: about 4:22 (arrived about 1:52 pm, left about 2:40 pm)
Time to Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge: about 3:50 (arrived about 6:30 pm, left about 7:00 pm)Time to finish: 4:17 (arrived at 11:17 pm) (We got home around 12:30 am)
Maps:
Here is a link for a Google Earth map that shows our route that I was able to download from my GPS.
Also attached is a Google Earth File of our route that I was able to download from my GPS. You will need to download Google Earth onto your computer first to be able to view this file.
Rod ran solo Wednesday evening. Here is his report:
July 2nd: Lone Cruiser Rod went from Cameron up through Lake City to Underhill, up Underhill and through Forest Grove to Stoney Creek Trail then along the trail north to Broadway then East to North Road. Back along North Road to check on Evergreen Line progress and then return to Cameron. Distance 8.5 km, time 1h07. Conditions very warm and muggy. Possibly not the best night of the year.
Meanwhile, Alex and Angela, Larry and Bobtoc attended the Giro di Burnaby meeting Wednesday at the Confederation Seniors Centre where the volunteers received assignments, enjoyed a fine dinner supplied by a number of restaurants in the Burnaby Heights shopping district on Hastings Street.
In Coquitlam Jennel on Saturday June 30 ran: No big deal, but OOPS! I forgot to report my little jog today. Just a 20 min. jog down the trail around my house in between the rain showers to loosen off the legs!
July 5th: Larry, Laura, Rachel, Rod and Bobtoc met at and ran from the Centre Saturday on a warm with overcast skies morning first to Burnaby Lake via Government Street, Cariboo into the north trail, then continued west using the Central Valley Parkway to Douglas Road, then returnedd to the Centre using the same route. Larry and Rod near the end of the run left the others to be first ones back. Distance 17 k, time for Larry and Rod 2:56, and for the trio, 3:06. The conditions for the run west were warm and muggy but seemed cooler and less humid on the return run.
From Jennel: Went for a 12 km run Friday around Town Centre/Lafarge Lake twice and back. No Heather…I was LOST!?!From Flora: I have been continuing the Coq. Crunch daily *2 most days. Started early morning starts recently at 7am at Landsdown. Done in 30mins and in time for work at 8.30am. Love it. I may join in on the Sat run for an aerobic workout. Ciao for now. ( NB. She didn’t make the Saturday run).
July 7th: Alex, Rod and Bobtoc only braved the warm, no hot, muggy evening Monday evening. The trio opted to walk, and used the Stoney Creek trail to enjoy shade and cooler temperature, continued north on North Road to Chapman, back to Clarke then North Road to view the changes in the Skytrain overhead structure for the tracks, appointed Rod to make inquiries whether the apparatus for anchoring the concrete trackbed was self-propelled or what, confirmation received the apparatus (thingee for females, boy will I get static for THAT one) that it indeed was self-propelled, also that with luck it would take 4 hours to move it further south to accommodate more concrete trackbed. In any event, the mature trio walked 6+ km, time 1:33 including consulation time.
July 9th: Alex, Larry, Louise, Rod and Bobtoc met Wednesday at the Centre on a warm and breezy evening, conditions more favourable than those of Monday. The five were pleased to see RA Edie and Laurie Hilborn resting on “our” beloved fence waiting to greet the Cruisers who showed up for the Wednesday run. Edie looks great, but won’t be joining us for runs for quite a while; Laurie’s news was that she shall be a grandmother in the next few months, also, she and husband Paul will be moving to Pitt Meadows in August. Meanwhile back to the running, the fivesome took up Louise’s suggestion to run west using the north trail leading to the nature house on the way to Burnaby Lake and return. Rod and Bobtoc turned north at the nature house onto Piper Avenue and contined past the Warner Loat Park, then turned back to the trail, turned east and continued to the Centre, their distance being circa 8 km. The trio continued past the nature house, clocked about 5 km, then turned tail back to the Centre, their distance being circa 10 km. Time for all, 1:23.
From Coquitlam:
Jennel ran for 1 hour Wednesday afternoon on a treadmill in PMRC in the air-conditioning while her girls were in sport camp. Not sure how many more days I can stand this treadmill thing!?! Not nearly as interesting as running outside! But, “ya got to do, what ya got to do!”
The Giro di Burnaby cycle races:
July 10th: Alex and Angela, Larry and Bobtoc were Cruiser volunteers at the annual 1.2 kilometer cycle race track for the two races; the first being a 30 lapper for females, and the second being a 45 lapper for males. Once again the races were manned by approximately 200 volunteers, most from Burnaby’s running community, and expertly headed up by hardworking and inspirational Rainy Kent. Cyclists come from far and away: Australia, New Zealand, Colombia, Germany, as well as from many states in the US and of course provinces of Canada. The placing and taking down of the blue fences by a small army of volunteers is poetry in motion. Hastings St course was cleared for traffic a few minutes after 10 pm. It was great fun to meet and greet fellow runners whom we had not seen for a year or so. Take a bow, Rainy, for a well done event yet again!July 12th: Alex, Larry, Rod and Bobtoc met Saturday on a scorching morning. In view of the temperature, the quartet opted to walk to Joe’s Trail. The quartet started their walk although Bobtoc created a trio by starting a slow run on Cameron Street west of Bell Avenue and continued his slow run down the usual way to Joe’s Trail, not hitting North Road, before he turned back and completed his run to Cameron Centre; time and distance 1:08, guestimated distance 6.5 km. In the meantime the trio continued their walk to Joe’s Trail to North Road, then north on North to view the construction of the Skytrain, quizzed the on-the-job engineer in charge about the processes used, before heading back to the Centre via the Stoney Creek trail. Time out, about 3 hours.
From Coquitlam:
Jennel on Friday scrapped the treadmill today and went for a nice walk to Old Orchard Park in the BOILING HEAT!!! WOW, it was a scorture!=
Jennel went for a 5km run Saturday morning down Parkway Blvd. and back UP! I’m a “sucker for hills” FYI….did Heather tell you her big WIN!!! AT the Diva Night at Kintec that she went to on Thursday evening in Sutterbrook Village, (I was supposed to go with her, but couldn’t – kids!!!) – She WON THE BIG DOOR PRIZE!!!! Lots of goodies, tonnes of running gear stuff and a nice bottle of wine! Good for her! Everyone should be nice to her so she’ll share that bottle of vino!!! ha! ha! She said it was a fabulous door prize!!! Kudos to her:)=
July 14th & 15th: On Monday: Two Cruisers only showed up at the Centre. Taking the extreme heat into account, Rod and Bobtoc opted to walk to view progress on the Skytrain construction. The duo walked east on Cameron to North Road, turned north and watched the tradesmen place a portion of the concrete bed for the rails. The portions are approx. 8 feet in length, shaped like jig saw pieces on the edges, are slopped with epoxy at all surfaces where the beds join. The whole operation must be the biggest Meccano kit in Canada. The two then continued on North Road to the Stoney Creek trail, turned west thereon to Beaverbrook then south to Cameron St and the Centre. Time out 1:04, distance ???.
On Tuesday Rod “went out from home early, up through Lake City. Intended to go as far as the old IGA before turning round, but it was getting very warm even that early, so went up Underhill and into the shade of Forest Grove. Stopped to talk to Adele in her office. (She seems well). Carried on through the Stoney Creek School and then took the trail north to Broadway. Up Broadway to North Road to check up on the Evergreen work last night. The part we watched yesterday is now in place and they are moving the gantry onwards.
July 16th: At the PoCo Running Room:
Ken Blowey was the greeter at the front door and welcomed Heather and James Tecson, Tim and Edie and friend Linda whom many of us know from our Calif. trips, Alex and Angela and Bobtoc. Heather
and James ran like the wind. The others walked. The walkers/runners received a white RR cap. Message to Tim please, Edie. Tim, that black Mustang we looked at is a 2008. I talked to the owner. Has a 100,000 clicks on it. The owner said it is a California Special.
At the 500 Steps:
Larry, Adele, Rachel and Flora walked up the 500 steps at Burnaby Mountain, just across from the Barnet Beach Park. It was a moderate climb, a good workout but not as steep or as rocky as the Grouse Grind. The trail is beautiful and 90% in the shade, which was important due to the sun and heat. We made it up to the base of Centennial Park, below the Horizon’s restaurant, and back down, in about 1h 20m. The group was impressed with the route and some interest was expressed in doing it again this Saturday.
July 19th: Fabulous! is an adjective to describe the trek by Alex, Larry, Len and Bobtoc this morning on Burnaby Mountain. The four reprised the 500 step trail from the parking overflow for the Barnet Marine Park, and then some. The four took the trail up to the Horizons Restaurant and from there continued on the Trans Canada trail south, then east, then north and west eventually landing back at the parking lot. Rain commenced when our trek started and continued pretty well until return. Mist and cloud highlighted the unspoiled appearance of trees, fallen trees, bushes and the trail itself. The Trans Canada portion is in great condition, some of it we have seen before, ie the part which starts at North Road into the SFU lands, (we avoided Cardian Hill) and the part that is beneath the power lines. The 500 steps portion at the beginning is steep; the steps are well constructed. Care needs to be taken on the rough and ready trail between the stair flights. The four were soaking wet, but pleased with the trek. Marie’s description of my state when I returned: SMUG. Probably fits all four. Time and distance, 2:09 including a few minutes to pick berries on the way back, 9.55 per Len’s GPS, elevation gain, 233 meters.
July 21st: On Monday evening I was ALL ALONE at the Centre, so went home and spent time with my bride.
Jennel and Heather were more productive Monday: Jennel ran from her house down to Starbucks on Parkway Blvd. to meet Heather for a debriefing Monday evening! Heather treated Jennel to a birthday coffee!!! Perfect:) From there, Jennel ran back home, but thought it may be fun to do some hill work!?! So, she ran 6 reps of Parkway Blvd. then con’t home. Heather did not run with her this evening as she just did the Grouse Grind with her family this morning.
Summer in the City!
July 23rd: Alex, Larry and Bobtoc ran from the Centre Wednesday on a rainy day, opting to use the Stoney Creek trail to North Road, north to Chapman Avenue, east to Clarke then south to North Road to check on progress of the Skytrain construction. The trio paused for a few moments to pick and taste blackberries on the north side of Chapman; a good crop this season it seems. In any event, we were surprised at the progress on the Skytrain, and were able to view the movement to ground of some of the structure, readying for moving the equipment southward on North to the vicinity of Cameron Street. We saw also a truck-mounted crane being operated by a tradesman who was standing next to us on the sidewalk, using a wireless device, much like I guess as is used by hobbyists flying model airplanes. Incredible stuff!
July 26th: Alex, Larry, Laura, Rick Davidson and Bobtoc ran from the Centre Saturday on a fine, sunny morning to Mundy Park via Cochrane Ave to Denton, Ivy, Robinson to Foster throught to Hillcrest, then returned via Winslow through to Whiting, North Road to Cameron St and return, time 1:45 to 1:50, distance 10.9 km. Construction on the Skytrain is ongoing, with equipment well on its way to Cameron Street. As said before, this is the largest Meccano set going in the country, Saw Rob Stagg on duty at the Centre, also photos of his nine month old granddaughter Olive.
Rob emailed two days ago:
“I have signed up for the Rock N Roll Half in October. My achilles tendon is finally feeling good so I’m back to regular training. Am also signed up for the Vancouver marathon next May. That should keep me honest for the next 10 months. Blackberries are looking great. First ones getting ripe and looks like lots to come. Nancy is drooling at the thought. Hope all is well with you. Maybe see you on Saturday at Cameron.” ( I did).
From Coquitlam Friday:
Weekend activities for Jennel consisted of cycling her entire family around the ZOO on a 2 seater bicycle (where the kids can sit in the front carrier). WOW, that’s a workout! Probably more for Tony, but I pedalled too!
From Rod in Menlo Park Saturday am:
Went out from Brian’s place this morning and ran to Stanford University and back. Very warm (close to 30 degrees, but what can you expect when there are palm trees.) Time out 1h 30, distance between 9 and 10 km.
Note for Larry: had kona lava java last night in Palo Alto.
Blast from the not too distant past: Marie and I saw and talked to Chris Keeling this pm at the Commercial and Broadway Skytrain station. It was great to see him. Come and see us soon, Chris.
July 28th:Alex, Rod and Bobtoc opted to walk on account of the heat Wednesday evening from the Centre to Stoney Creek trail, north on North Road to Chapman Ave, paused for a few moments to taste a few blackberries there, continued east to Clarke Road, south on North to check out the progress on the country’s largest Meccano set. The trio supervised the ingestion of cable into the concrete bowels of the Skytrain, then continued their journey back to the Centre via Cameron Street. Guestimates of time and distance, 1:38, 5 km.
July 30th: Alex, Larry, Rod and Bobtoc ran/walked Wednesday on a hot and steamy evening from the Centre to: Stoney Creek trail, north on North Road to the Power Line Trail in the SFU lands, as far as the trail leading up to Cardiac Hill, then reversed back to the Stoney Creek trail to the 36 steps leading to Stoney Creek St to North Road, continued south to review the progress on the country’s largest Meccano set. The guys inspected the progress, then as far south as Cameron St, watched the epoxying of and fitting in of a concrete section. The next step was the injestion of cable into the continuous concrete bed; at this juncture opted to complete the run back to the Centre. Time and distance, 1:50, 7:96 km per Alex’s email to me.
Rod ran Tuesday as follows:
Went out from home this morning did Forest Grove backwards then down Shellmont to IGA. Came back up Shellmont and back through Forest Grove and home. Very hot, slow run. Time out 1h45, distance 12
July 31st: We cycled up Seymour yesterday
Thought you might be interested in this….Thx….Len
We cycled up Seymour yesterday from our house, 60 km total, 4:35 cycling time. Our cycling time up from the base of Seymour was 2:19, including a few rest stops. It must be steeper than Cypress as I reached 76 km/hr going downhill. Even Miriam reached a new speed record of 53.2 km/hr. She normally doesn’t like to cycle faster than 35 km/hr.
We are hoping to try the triple crown on Wednesday of Seymour, Grouse (to the base of the Skyride only) and then Cypress. We are planning on driving to the base of Seymour to save time. Here is a link to two pictures that I took with my cell phone camera.