Best Bike Trails at Accent Inns
July 19th, 2017
September 18, 2017 – Some places say they are bike friendly, but really they are bike tolerant. We are bike friendly and spandex tolerant. We have free bike rentals at all locations and if you bring your own bike, it will feel like it is on vacation too. We have a bike cleaning and tuning stations, rags available at the front desk for washing and we encourage you to bring it to your room with you. Our CEO, Mandy Farmer, loves bikes so much she wrote up these descriptions of her favourite rides at each Accent Inns location.
A ride to downtown Vancouver is less than 30 minutes from Accent Inns Burnaby.
Burnaby
The Central Valley Greenway is an amazing 24 km protected bike route. It’s flat, separated and safe. And the very best part? It’s one block from the Burnaby Accent Inn! Depending on which direction you take, you can either head directly to downtown Vancouver, Olympic Village, Science World and, if you are feeling frisky, continue along to ride the sea wall around Stanely Park. The other direction is a scenic cruise around gorgeous Burnaby Lake and further afield the Fraser River.
The Richmond Dyke is the perfect place for a peaceful ride.
Richmond
Head down neighboring Cambie Street to cycle the Richmond Dyke on a gorgeous flat separated bike trail. The route can be up to 26.5km and takes to you to the scenic Terra Nova Rural Park with it’s excellent views of the mountains, Vancouver International Airport, Sturgeon Banks, tidal flats, river and wildlife. Tree-lined paths meander past historic buildings, which date back to the 1890s. Features include native plantings, viewing platforms, pathways, picnic areas and a recreated slough. Or head in the other direction along the scenic Dyke path towards the sleepy fishing village of Steveston.
The Galloping Goose Trail in Victoria is famous.
Victoria
The Accent Inn is located two short blocks from the famed 55km Galloping Goose Trail, an old railway corridor turned into cycling/walking path. The Goose will take you into downtown Victoria via the Selkirk Trestle, a 300-metre long, fir and hemlock trestle which spans the Selkirk Waters (a narrow saltwater inlet curving north-west from Victoria’s Inner Harbour to the Gorge and Portage inlets). Or head the other direction through Saanich all the way to Swartz Bay! No matter which direction, the Goose will surprise you: a quiet cove, a hidden lake, rocky outcrops, marshland, canyon land, skunk cabbage swampland, tall Douglas fir forest, Garry oak and arbutus forest, rural farmland, urban back streets and waterways.
At all Accent Inns you can bring your bike to your room.
Kamloops
Do you want the good news or the bad news first? Let’s go with the good news: there are lots of beautiful bike rides in Kamlooops! Head downtown and cycle along the river at Riverside Park. Follow the bike path over the bridge and from here you can either continue down the Thompson River towards Mcarthur Island Park where golf, soccer, football, baseball and cricket games can be viewed as you ride the perimeter of this island park (check out the interesting Xeriscape Demonstration Garden˗ xeriscaping emphasizes the use of minimal water). Or you can follow the North Thompson River on a multi-use riverside path on Schubert Drive. Gorgeous! The bad news is now you have to ride the bike back up the hill to the Accent Inn. (A challenging 10 minute slog or 15 minute stroll if you decide to get off and walk, no shame in that!)
Mandy Farmer, CEO of Accent Inns, is a huge bike lover.
Kelowna
To access the best of Kelowna’s cycling options, turn right onto Accent Inn’s side street Gordon and then left on the bike route Cawston Ave to bring you right downtown and near the lake. Cruise around the bike friendly lakefront boardwalk that goes around Waterfront Park and City Park. From City Park you can elongate your ride by following Abbott Street along the lake towards Lakeshore Road. You’ll come across lots of public beaches and soon head into farmland and vinyards, all right by the lake.