by Rebecca Slaven | The classic seaside charm of Deep Cove is attractive no matter the season. That fact is partly due to the destination being home to the most comforting thing on the north shore: Honey’s Doughnuts. It’s also the fisherman’s sweater of Vancouver’s long-distance bike rides. My there-and-bike-again route is as complex or as simple as you choose…

If you’re in East Vancouver, take the Second Narrows Bridge. Signage from the Cassiar Bikeway is decent but lacking on the Portside Bikeway. Once over the bridge, it’s a simple turn east onto the Dollarton Highway, continuing until the end. Signage is non-existent for cyclists on the north side heading back over Second Narrows. At Phibbs Exchange, take the crosswalk to the south side to get onto the bridge. Bookmark this North Shore Wiki page on your phone just in case.

For west side residents and the directionally challenged (like myself), take the Lion’s Gate Bridge and then head east on Marine Drive. The signage is super clear. Continue along Marine Drive, which goes through many name changes, until its end. Alternatively, take the slightly more complicated but more scenic route detailed in this map. At Mackay and 1st, the windy bridge goes through the partially completed Spirit Trail, which will eventually connect Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove. On the way back, there’s a brutal climb on Cotton Road but it has lots of dirt shoulder to pull off on for breaks.

No matter which route you take, the ride is fairly flat until you near Deep Cove. If you can make it over the Lion’s Gate Bridge, that’s a good indication that you can make the entire trek.

Stops & Eats

The ride to Deep Cove is worth it, if only for Honey’s Doughnuts, a well-known establishment that can hold its own against any Vancouver donuterie. Basic is best, and their honey glazed goes nicely with a coffee and a break on the benches by the shore. Pro tip: never turn your back on your bag, or you may have to fight the crows to rescue the maple bacon donut that you bought for later.

Staff at A’hoy Goods kindly humour cyclists who browse their well-made wares until just warm enough to begin the ride home. If you aren’t in the market for wool blankets or wallets, purchase a bar of Swedish Dreams Sea Salt Soap for a post-ride soak in the tub.

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Rebecca Slaven is a librarian, writer, and cyclist. Her subject specialities include law, beauty, and croquet. Her format specialty is the how-to guide. She mostly rides her bike to work but has cycled as far as San Francisco. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.