As you may have seen in the April Buzzer, we’re teaming up with the Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition to offer four Great Rides this year—that’s four fun bike tours exploring the festivals, city centres, and lovely country lanes of Metro Vancouver!

The first Great Ride of 2010 is the Bike the Blossoms ride on Saturday April 17, taking you on a meandering loop from Vanier Park to VanDusen Botanical Garden, through Vancouver’s East Side, then back to Vanier Park. You’ll see several types of cherry blossoms as well as several sides of Vancouver!

Start any time between 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — if you finish up by 4:30 p.m., you’ll be entered to win some prizes. Refreshments, live entertainment, and on-site bike mechanics will also be on hand during the ride, and at the end there will be festivities and vegetarian-friendly BBQ food for sale.

The ride is organized in partnership with the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival Society, celebrating the 36,000+ Japanese ornamental cherry trees in Vancouver. Ride registrants also receive half-price entry to VanDusen Botanical Garden and the Museum of Vancouver at Vanier Park.

For more information, including registration costs and more, visit the Great Rides website at www.greatrides.ca and get riding!