Toddler on Tour – North America Family Bicycle Tour
  • North America Cycle Tour
    • Preparation
    • Calgary to Vancouver
    • Vancouver to San Francisco
    • Boston to Toronto
  • Daily Mileage Log
  • Family Cycle Tour Equipment

Toddler on Tour – North America Family Bicycle Tour

2 bikes. 1 toddler. 4,000 miles.

  • North America Cycle Tour
    • Preparation
    • Calgary to Vancouver
    • Vancouver to San Francisco
    • Boston to Toronto
  • Daily Mileage Log
  • Family Cycle Tour Equipment
Category:

Calgary to Vancouver

    Calgary to VancouverUncategorized

    It’s a bugs life!

    written by Toddlr

    Our first morning in Victoria saw us awaken to grey skies and heavy rain, by contrast to the beautiful weather that had guided us in the previous evening. We were disappointed to not have the weather on our side in our quest to explore the city and surrounding areas; and this was also the final ‘straw’ hat led to us deciding that the infamous Buchant Gardens weren’t going to be an attraction for us. We had previously been warned that they were excessively expensive in any case and we were dubious as to whether Theo would derive much enjoyment from them- or, indeed, if we would, given that we would have to chase him around!- so considered it the best call. Instead, our lovely host Dwayne gave us a mini guided our from the comfort of his car when he offered to drive us into town for the day. Even between the streams of rain water on the windows, we could appreciate it was a beautiful city. We were told the city had imposed building restrictions to limit the height of it’s structures and thus avoid the appearance of a traditional ‘skyscraper’ city, and this appeared to preserve it’s integrity and grant it a certain charm and character. We drove along the harbor and saw the government buildings; drove outside the city to view the spectacular scenery (although admittedly, not as great as it ought to have been due to the limited visibility!) and wished we’d had the opportunity to undertake a tour of the place by bike, as the cycling facilities continued to be extensive.

    Arriving at the square and walking into downtown Victoria

    We got dropped by a square downtown close to the Maritime museum and while the rain temporarily held off, decided to walk about the city a while. In spite of the more logical ‘grid’ foundation we still found ourselves going around in circles however; and sightseeing with a toddler is far from easy. He rode on my shoulders for the majority, but the continuous wriggling and moving around made it far from comfortable! We missed our trailer-come-pushchair immensely that morning.

     

    For lunch we found a lovely Italian and ate ‘out’, properly (ie-not McDonalds or Subway!) for the first time since we flew into Canada. After 10 days (!) of not having to pay for accommodation, we felt we could justify treating ourselves and really, really enjoyed the food. Having stopped by the Tourist Centre, we then debated how best to spend the afternoon with Theo. There was an abundance of choice of attractions that could tempt him- from the Bug Zoo to the Ocean Discovery Centre, Miniature World to Craigdarroch Castle/Historical house or the Beacon Hill Children’s Farm. We were divided; with my appreciation of architecture I leaned towards the castle, but begrudgingly admitted that Theo wouldn’t derive the same enjoyment from it and would prefer something more ‘hands on’. This is perhaps one of the ‘disadvantages’, if you can call it that, of travelling with a young child- sacrifices need to be made along the way for the sake of ensuring your child gets the most enjoyment from the trip, and as such, I’m aware that we are ‘missing’ what many travelers may believe to be essential sights and experiences of the places we visit- but I will argue that the sights we do see are also appreciated from an entirely different perspective when seen through Theo’s eyes. I guess it’s a matter of compromise.

     

    Eating out for lunch

    We finally agreed upon Bug World as our destination for the afternoon, although I can’t say the prospect filled me with much excitement!

    Theo exploring some of the tanks in Bug World

    However, I was pleasantly surprised. Very reasonably priced (with Theo free) and with friendly, well-informed staff, we were given a step by step tour around the various displays and offered every opportunity to hold the bugs themselves. There was a perfect combination of more “scientific” fact and information for the adults with the more fascinating and gruesome facts that enthralled the children- and both Theo and Matt enjoyed it immensely. I took a little more convincing and had to overcome some true phobias (I generally hate bugs of all descriptions- especially those that move fast- but spiders in particular are my no. 1 hate and fear!) but with the encouragement of our guide and spurred by seeing everyone around us holding the bugs, I managed to swallow my fears and join in. I even held a tarantula!

     

    overcoming phobias!

    Matt took it one step further when he opted to have a millipede mustache. Ugh.

     

    Matt trying out a ‘new look’

    Theo enjoyed running about, watching the ants going to and fro in the many tunnels and climbing chairs to peer closer into the cages. He frequently stroked the many bugs as they were being held and even held one himself- although I’m convinced Matt probably had more enjoyment than anyone else!

    When we left Bug World, it was absolutely pouring with rain and prevented us from exploring much further- especially given that Theo was walking about with us, rather than in a waterproof trailer! and so called it a day. I was admittedly slightly disappointed; I would have loved to explore the city further, but as many, many Canadians have told us, they’re currently experiencing one of the worst springs they’ve had in years ( although it has to be said that in spite of those claims, their spring is far better than I would tend to expect from the UK at the same time of year) and even Dwayne admitted that Victoria is really one of those places that comes into it’s own in better weather. Perhaps we’ll have the privilege of returning one day and doing the city justice; but for us, this was the best we could do.

    At this point I must extend further thanks to our lovely hosts Lisa, Dwayne and Luke for taking such great care of us and allowing us to impose upon them. Our visit would have been a complete flop without them! :)

     

    Sights of Victoria: a lovely statue on the harbor

     

    Theo enjoying a cone (no ice-cream) in the ice-cream shop…strange child..

    It’s a bug’s life!

    Miles Today – 0

    Total Miles to date – 607

    May 28, 2011 0 comment
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  • Calgary to VancouverUncategorized

    Racing against Schedules: Victoria

    by Toddlr May 28, 2011

    Our departure from Vancouver was originally meant to mark the beginning of our ‘second leg’ and the start of our southbound ride following the Pacific coast, but on recommendation of many (and…

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  • Calgary to VancouverUncategorized

    Vancouver!

    by Toddlr May 26, 2011

    True to the pattern of our previous few days, our ride into the city was a short affair to aid the slowing of pace as we come to the end of ‘leg…

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  • Calgary to VancouverUncategorized

    Abbortsford to New Westminster – Sharing Stories

    by Toddlr May 23, 2011

    After a late start to our day from the dropzone (and a significant lack of action from the centre) we set off to cover the modest distance to Langley, where we were…

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  • Calgary to VancouverUncategorized

    Cycling into Spring- and a strange “kindness”

    by Toddlr May 21, 2011

    As we bid our final farewells to Sharon in Chilliwack and set upon the road once more to edge slowly closer to Vancouver, the sun made a long-awaited and most welcome come…

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  • Calgary to VancouverUncategorized

    Hope to Chilliwack: The kindness of strangers

    by Toddlr May 18, 2011

    After our epic climb and mammoth day on the road, our aching bodies and rather sorry-looking bikes commanded a day off and so we rather naughtily opted to treat ourselves to an…

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  • Calgary to VancouverUncategorized

    Conquering the Coquihalla!!

    by Toddlr May 17, 2011

    “Are you thinking of doing the Coquihalla?” “You’re not going to be doing the Coquihalla, are you?” “You can’t POSSIBLY do the Coquihalla, not with all that gear!” Oh yes, we can-…

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  • Calgary to VancouverUncategorized

    1, 5, 5a? – Leaving Kamloops

    by Toddlr May 16, 2011

    This was the question plaguing us as Matt trudged through maps on google from the comfort of our hotel. We’d made it this far- but what route would we take next in…

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  • Calgary to VancouverUncategorized

    Falling in love… with cycling

    by Toddlr May 13, 2011

    The two days that we rode from Sicamous, through Salmon Arm and then to White Lake, finally ending up at Dallas outside of Kamloops, marked the beginning of a true love affair…

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  • Calgary to VancouverUncategorized

    “Space”- Revelstoke to Sicamous

    by Toddlr May 12, 2011

    Our night in Revelstoke was a rainy affair and come morning, the clouds showed no sign of lifting. We geared up to the max in our waterproof attire and hit the road…

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