The Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition MEC Great Rides take place once a month from July to October, and not only encourage getting out on a bike but also exploring our beautiful region.

These permanent circular routes take in beautiful country lanes, vibrant city centres and fun local festivals. The rides range from 20km to 50km along quiet roads and dedicated bike routes. Routes are designed for fun and exploration with extensions and shortcuts. [GreatRides.ca]

The first Great Ride of 2009 on July 12th will run between Langley and Maple Ridge, crossing the new Golden Ears Bridge. Riders can choose to start over on the Maple Ridge side, or over in Fort Langley – ending up at the opposite location after a 14-34km fun ride for the entire family. Each destination will have activities and local entertainment and riders can enjoy the sights and sounds of the Caribbean Festival in Maple Ridge which will be underway at that time.

Photo credit: random guy on Flickr

Other rides this season include Pitt Meadows (August 15), Port Coquitlam (September 27th), Bikennale (Downtown, October 4). Tickets for the ride at $15 but you can ave $10 if you sign up for all four at once.

The Vancouver Bicycling Meetup Group has this scheduled and you can read more over on the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition’s site.

Chants of “We Want Bif!” filled the atmosphere as the loving crowds gathered to catch Bif Naked‘s performance at Surrey’s Canada Day celebration.

Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

I first heard Bif Naked back in 1995 when I caught Daddy’s Getting Married on CFOX and I was an instant fan. Over the years she’s become the queen of Canadian rock, proving time and time again that our country can produce strong, talented, a**-kicking female talent. She also write poetry (has two spoken word albums) and has done some acting.

We heard tracks from her latest, The Promise, as well as catchy hits such as Moment of Weakness, Lucky, and even a cover of Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters.

She drove the fans so crazy that an encore was inevitable so when she came back on stage she lit it up with Spaceman.

Last year Bif was diagnosed with breast cancer and has been in a constant battle ever-since. She’s pretty amazing as her show was as energetic as any other and she’s also just returned from a cross-country tour. How she finds the time and energy I’ll never know but the audience at Canada Day truly appreciated seeing her and watching her perform.

Photo credit: John Bollwitt on Flickr

Bif also keeps a blog and is active on Twitter @BifNaked.

Surrey Canada Day 2012 information is available here

There was endless entertainment yesterday at Surrey’s Canada Day celebrations and even if you weren’t into the official performers on stage, the people-watching in the crowd of 125,000 could keep you amused for hours.

With two stages and over a dozen acts, the Cloverdale Millennium Amphitheatre was definitely rocking. The performers crossed the spectrum from cultural dance, to pop punk and everyone seemed to be in good spirits. Crowds stood up to dance and cheer while artists shielded their eyes from the sun setting in the West.

Carly Rae Jepson

Sweatshop Union

You Say Party! We Say Die!

Bif Naked

Bif’s performance is worthy of its own post so I’ll have that up shortly.

54-40

The City has even more to come with the two-day Fusion Festival taking place July 18-19th at Holland Park. Headliners include Joel Plaskett and Barney Bentall.

Holland Park will also host 17 days of celebrations, concerts and activities during the 2010 games. It will be a gathering place to watch big screens for events and ceremonies as well as celebrate the games throughout our entire region.

This morning we headed out to the Cloverdale Millennium Amphitheatre for Surrey’s Canada Day festivities. As Western Canada’s largest Canada Day celebration it doesn’t disappoint. There are aisles of food vendors, from Jamaican patties to crepes and perogies, a craft area for kids, sustainability zone, interactive displays, midway games and rides, and two large stages filled with entertainment until tonight.

This morning we walked around to check things out, grabbed a smoothie from the Jamaican ‘Mi Juicy’ cart, and enjoyed the opening ceremonies. Mark Donnelly (who often does the anthem at Canucks games) led the crowd in singing O! Canada and the Mayor introduced local MLAs, MPs, and council members before everyone devoured a giant cupcake-cake of the Canadian flag.

We’re heading back now to catch performances by Kuba Oms, Jeremy Fisher, Carly Rae Jepson, Sweatshop Union, You Say Party! We Say Die!, Bif Naked, and 54-40. The entire festival is FREE of charge and will end with fireworks at 10:15pm.

The rest of my photos are available on Flickr and John, who takes much better shots, has his up on Flickr as well.

Tomorrow is the 142nd birthday of our nation and it seems as though every village, town, municipality, city and community in our region is celebrating.

Photo credit: Our Enchanted Garden on Flickr

Vancouver

North Vancouver

West Vancouver

Burnaby

Port Moody

New Westminster

Richmond – Steveston

Delta

Surrey

White Rock

Langley

Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows – Mission
[Hat tips to Fraser Valley Pulse for these listings]

Abbotsford

Chilliwack

Squamish

If you’re feeling really patriotic, check out O’ Canada House on Barclay street (which is now a B&B). It’s where a version of our nation’s anthem was written, right here in downtown Vancouver.

Whatever your plans include tomorrow, be sure to slather on the sun block as it should be pretty toasty outside and stay tuned for my coverage from Surrey.