Bicicletta's Staff Top Road Rides of 2022
As we get ready to dive into the 2023 riding season we wanted to look back on some of our favourite rides of 2022 to stoke the fire for the upcoming season.
Fraser Valley Loop - Joseph F. - Web Admin
When did you do the ride?
April
What were the best features of the ride?
Rolling hills and country roads out in the Fraser valley.
What was the highpoint?
The highlight was the first leg of the ride before my first stop in Mission. I love riding when the sun is coming up.
What was your lowpoint?
Having to make the tough call to not push on to Hope and instead turn south to head home. I was going to go all the way to Hope, but due to some time constraints I would have had to make the ride an out and back, and I much prefer my long rides to be loops.
What is your top tip for someone looking to do the same ride? (ie bring lots of water, have a super easy gear)
Leave nice and early and try and do the ride when the days are long.
Why was this your favourite ride of 2022?
It was my longest ride of the year.
What bike did you ride?
2020 Cervelo R5 with Ultegra Di2
Three Ferries Loop - Jared B. - Product/Partnerships
When did you do the ride?
October. We had a great fall/endless summer on the West Coast.
What were the best features of the ride?
The punchy climbs on Saltspring are always a highlight.
What was the highpoint?
Spending most of the day in that temperature sweetspot of 15-20 degrees.
What was your lowpoint?
Waiting over an hour at all three of the ferries. Not sure if that means I was riding it too fast or too slow...
What is your top tip for someone looking to do the same ride?
Know the ferry schedules well. You can then gauge how fast or slow you want to ride from ferry to ferry. You can also then plan cafe stops a bit better. I'd much rather spend 30 minutes at a good cafe with a delicious pastry than 30 minutes at the Crofton ferry terminal.
Why was this your favourite ride of 2022?
A nice long day out on the bike with a few forced breaks. I didn't get many days like this in during the true summer, so it was great to take advantage of the extended summer we had in October.
What bike did you ride?
Factor LS Rival Etap setup as my all road bike. Nice wide, slick tires for the right mix of comfort and efficiency.
Vancouver - HSB - Cape Roger Curtis Lighthouse in Bowen Island - Daniel L. Warranty
When did you do the ride?
Mid March, we did this as a celebration ride for my wife's birthday.
What were the best features of the ride?
Short but really steep climbs on Bowen Island, rollers going to HSB and back, great views!
What was the highpoint?
Getting through those steep climbs to get to the killer views.
What was your lowpoint?
Really cold during the ferry wait and travel time.
What is your top tip for someone looking to do the same ride?
Gears gears gears! Some sections were as steep as 15-20%!
Why was this your favourite ride of 2022?
Because this was a route we've never done before and we did it during a time where we wouldn't normally do a big ride in, plus it was the wife's idea.
What bike did you ride?
Iona Beach - Yohan K., Warehouse Manager
What was low point?
What is your top tip for someone looking to do the same ride?
What bike did you ride?
British Property Bop - Jake Cullen, Marketing
When did you do the ride?
Mornings before work in July.
What were the best features of the ride?
Sharp, steep climbing in the British Properties.
What was the highpoint?
The Cortado and Raspberry Coffee Cake at Crema after all the serious climbing was done.
What was your lowpoint?
Having to head back over the Lion's Gate Bridge to get ready for work.
What is your top tip for someone looking to do the same ride?
There are so many variations of climbs and descents in the BPs. Try it a few times and experiment with different climbs and descents to find your favourite.
Why was this your favourite ride of 2022?
I find it hard to get out of bed early to do rides like this, but when I do I'm always so happy. I love a little solo time before work. And the Raspberry Coffee Cake at Crema is seriously life changing.
What bike did you ride?
Factor O2 in Miami Blue with Ultegra Di2 and full Easton finishing kit.
