Great Blue Heron Bike Ride, Saturday May 9th 2026

Group Shot by Random Passer By at Centennial Beach

Iain writes:-

Early start from Waterfront, 0715. Arrived in time at the shuttle for the Massey Tunnel. 1h23m pretty much non stop, Ontario, Canada Line Bridge and then Shell Road. Eleven people for the shuttle, seven in our group, two heading to ferry, two going somewhere else. Busiest I've ever seen it. The ride nearly came to an abrupt halt as one of the two tunnels needed to get under the highway by bicycle had a lot of construction on the approach. This was only ten minutes into the ride, happily it turned out that the tunnel was open, so through we went, and on to Hampton Cove, a small estate of rather fine homes close to the Fraser and with a marina, as well as some artwork referencing the industrial and fishing heritage of the area.

Hampton Cove images by Iain

We made our way then to Westham Island, mainly for ice cream but with bonus blueberry scones. It was good to see the bridge fully functional, with additional protection against impact being installed. Bonus peacocks and turkeys completed our stay. Then it was off to the dykes that lead to the approach to Roberts Bank/Deltaport.

As we progressed west and south we were very fortunate to have Alex Scott with us, who told us the story of the Hwilitsum First Nation as we passed the site of one of their settlements. You can read more here, we managed to come away with precisely no usable images of the settlement site and I’m very sorry for that, since it is quite a story. Alex provided more information:-

The NVOC bike route took us to Brunswick point, the former location of Hwilitsum village and an old cannery, the pilings of which are still visible in the water. You can read and hear about the history of Hwilitsum on this webpage. According to Chief Jim Hornbrook, the band’s original winter village was located in the gulf islands at Lamalchi Bay, Penalakut sland. In 1863, due to their resistance to colonization and settlement which led to skirmishes and violence between them and the encroaching settlers, the British Navy (HMS Forward) bombed and burned the village. Some of the survivors sought the protection of families in other Coast Salish communities, and others settled in the summer village (Hwilitsum) on Brunswick point. A community existed there until the 1970’s centered on the commercial fishing industry, outside the control of the Indian agents. In this testimonial, a resident of that village Zoe Harris recalls the land being expropriate and being forced from their homes in the 1960s.

It’s worth following the links to read more.

Wellington Point by Brian

Westham Island Bridge by Brian

Heading North on the Tsawwassen Beach Trail by Brian

Marmot! by Brian

Face to Face by Brian

Heading South on the Beach Trail by Brian

All the way round the dyke to the Deltaport approach road, then back track and round to the Tsawwassen side. A long diversion for 100 yards of closed off road. Nice views of Capesize bulkers as well as large box boats. Not to mention big trains! Lovely run along the dyke and boardwalk. Herons a plenty, marmots too as well as redwing blackbirds. Other wild life was eagles and swallows. Lunch at Beach Grove Park, then down to Centennial Beach before heading north for a timely arrival at Barnside Brewing, via the Cow Tunnel, (again no photos) and a punctual departure by shuttle before a more leisurely ride up Shell Road before crossing the Canada Line Bridge and splitting up to wend our ways homewards.

Here’s a brief marmot video from Brian. You can also access it via our YouTube Channel.