terrymorse 

We're a couple of roadies headed to Whistler for a few days and want to log some decent training miles.

Question: Are there adequate road bike friendly routes nearby for a 50-miler with 4000+ ft of climbing? Or would we be better off renting trail bikes and climbing on unpaved routes?

Thanks.

colnago62

Check out the Whistler Grand Fondo route there is sustained climbing on that route. I have heard the road. The mountain biking is next level.

terrymorse 

Thanks. I found this Whistler Gran Fondo route on ridewithgps. It looks like all the climbing is on a highway. I'd prefer climbing/descending on a less busy road, if possible.



Whistler Gran Fondo detail (ridewithgps)

Seattle Forrest

MTB. When in Rome...

Atlas Shrugged

I live in the area and road biking is limited. The Sea to Sky hwy corridor although has a shoulder is very busy with traffic traveling at high speeds..

Mountain biking is world caliber enjoy.

yamsyamsyams

Go up and down the local mountains grouse and Seymour.

gregf83 

We usually take one weekend in the summer, ride up from Vancouver on a Friday, ride somewhere from whistler on Sat and ride back on Sunday. Scenery along the Vancouver to whistler highway is great but it is busy and noisy. From whistler you can ride up to Callaghan Valley. That’s about 60km and 945m. There is a portion on the main highway but then you turn off and the climb to Callaghan which is lightly traveled and quiet. You can ride to Pemberton which is about 76km and 1250m with the option of continuing up Duffy lake road for an extra 1000m. Or go north from Pemberton in the valley (flat). The road to Pemberton has been repaved and not as busy as the Vancouver whistler section. It’s rolling so not really a steady climb. Duffy lake rd https://www.strava.com/segments/613375 is a decent steady climb but might be a total of 160km from whistler.

Have a look at the rides from the whistler cycling club https://www.strava.com/clubs/whistlercyclingclub they’re local so will know the best routes. Whistler also hosts an Ironman and I think this year’s course was over 8000ft of elevation.

Lots of downhill MTB in the bike park serviced by ski lifts if you’re into that. I was going to bring a MTB this year and ride the cross country trails but can’t make it. The downhill riding requires too much body armour for my liking.

Plenty to do in whistler so you should have a great time!

gregf83 

Cypress and Seymour are the popular road climbs in Vancouver. Grouse requires hiking or a MTB and logging road and is not very popular.

terrymorse 

Thanks for the pointer, the Whistler Cycling Club site has a nice page of suggested routes for visitors.

The Tour de Whistler looks like a nice one. Very few highway miles, and lots of out-and-back climbs.


Tour de Whistler profile

gregf83 

robbyville

Looks like you found some options! I spent a decade living there, some amazing road riding and gravel grinding if you want around Pemberton as well. Good climbing and roads are not too busy at all. I loved riding there. We used to also mountain bike (can rent if you want) from Whistler through chekamus, brandy wine falls) a great mix of fire roads, single track and pavement with good climbs and pretty views). I’m sure WORCA (Whistler off road cycling association) would have some routes posted as well.

Although the park and endless single track is phenomenal there, there are umpteen amazing all day rides to be had as well.

enjoy!