Shake off those pandemic blues with a mindful solstice bike ride (and hopefully a beach picnic) around wonderful car-free Stanley Park, this Saturday, June 20.

We’ll leave from the baseball diamond at Adanac and McLean at 10:30am. If you’d like to meet us at Stanley Park, we will meet in front of the Vancouver Rowing Club and ride from there at 11:30. We’ll stop for a short sit in a peaceful Prospect Point Picnic Area (look for a baseball diamond, just past Prospect Point), then continue on to Third Beach (arriving around 12:30) for picnic and beach frivolity. We can ride back East via the fabulous Beach Ave bikeway.

All ages and abilities are welcome. Please make sure that your bike is safe and in good running condition. We will bring a bike pump, but recommend making sure your tires are firm before you head out. The route has a total distance of about 20km round trip and includes one longish hill through the park, but you are welcome to walk your ride up the hill in the company of supportive sangha if you prefer. There is really no destination, so, no rush!

We will practice appropriate physical distancing. Bring water and your own lunch, and, if you wish, a snack to share. Bring something waterproof to sit on for forest zazen (folded up jacket and plastic bag works fine). Swim gear and beach toys welcome. There’s a change room at 3rd Beach.

If the weather is dodgy or slightly rainy we’ll still ride, but may forego the beach. If it’s raining hard we’ll postpone.