Start: Alpine Meadows, Whistler
Turnaround: McDonalds in Pemberton (fountain pop dispenser offers coldest water fill option in town)
Finish: Alpine Meadows
Route: HWY 99
Distance: 57.65 km
Elevation Gain: 673m
Time: 2h 42 min
Objective completed by fair means without the use of a vehicle to and from a starting location.
Notables: Heading N on 99 from Whistler to Pemberton is a good option for introduction to a longer road ride. Primarily flat or downhill. Only 1 noteworthy climb which is not very long but punchy nonetheless.
Great, scenic road with ample shoulders and good surface conditions. Bumpy sections are short-lived although cresting the noteworthy “suicide hill” there are no shoulders on either side for a couple hundred meters. You’ve just climbed regardless of direction so a short break for less traffic is welcomed.
Returning S from Pemberton is a polar opposite to getting there. A headwind for southbound cyclists seems to live near One-Mile lake and can be discouraging. Don’t loose faith, it tends to taper in my opinion. Much sustained climbing awaits. Still a section atop suicide hill with no shoulder so caution required. Descending suicide hill there is a tight switchback with rougher surface condition. You can really be moving here and I love going fast but break heavily every time.
*Cyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers of motor vehicles, should move in the same direction as traffic, be visible and predictable. Share the road by riding single file in groups and as far to the right hand side of the road as possible. A cyclist may ride on the left hand side of the white line if shoulder conditions are hazardous and are not required to ride on unpaved surfaces. When stopped, move well out of the way of traffic and other cyclists.
For more information reg road cycling regulations in B.C. visit:
http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/96318_05#section183
Keep stoking the fire!
Stoking the fire 