November Bean Bros.
Permanent #26 Report
by Gary Sparks

I started in the dark on Nov 27, and completed the ride in 12 hours, 14 minutes. It took a lot longer than I expected, or even noticed during the ride. It wasn't until I got home, that I realized I was through the Tsawwassen control with only a minute to spare.

This was my first ride over the Alex Fraser Bridge and I spent a lot of time trying to figuring it out. I took the wrong turn on the Dyke Rd and ended up on the east sidewalk of Hwy 91 looking at southbound freeway traffic. The fog was so thick I couldn't see the bridge. Fortunately another cyclist pointed me in the right direction. There was more confusion on the other side trying to navigate the bike path and Nordel Way. It made a lot more sense on the way back in daylight and without the fog. As a first year randonneur - I learned another lesson - take a look at a map before you leave - especially if the route goes through unfamiliar territory. I even rode past the south bound turn on 176th St because my mileage was way off, and the only sign I saw said Hwy 15. It took me a while before I turned back, and realized they were the same road. I may be the only person to not know this. I also learned that 232nd St really is closed near Hwy 10 for bridge construction, and that I should have believed the detour signs instead of riding to the end to find the unfinished bridge. I picked Friday for the ride based on a favourable weather forecast. The weather was good but the end of the week traffic (especially the trucks) was pretty heavy in places.

Ride date: November 27, 2009
Go to: Route 26 (201 km)

Go to: Permanents results

December 2, 2009