2 COURSES
Whether you’re looking for a fun moonlit ride, or a character building experience in the dark, there’s a midnight train for you.
BIG CHUGGA CHUGGA
| DISTANCE → | UP ↑ | SURFACES | ENERGY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 170.7 KM | 2,861 M | 57% UNPAVED | EXTRA FUNKY |
COURSE INFO
Start off with a nice cruise through the beautiful city of Maple Ridge, and as twilight falls, meander towards some dyke and horsie trails. At 13.6 KM, take a sharp right turn onto some unsanctioned singletrack for the first real tech of the night. Take care on the rock roll and don’t be afraid to walk your bike – it’s a long night!
Cruise back onto some pavement, and then ease yourself into the night as you take a nice gravel road up to Alouette Lake. Enjoy a dip if you have the time!
Then it’s off to the chunky gravel of Blue Mountain FSR. It might be rough out there boss. Roll on down some paved roads, sneak in a little gravel, singletrack climbing, and plenty of mixed surface toodling all the way to Rolley Lake. Again, a little swim here could be a wonderful treat. A teensy singletrack descent (Watch out for that tree!!!!) brings you over to just beside Florence Lake FSR. Sorry, but you’ll have to hop off your bike for a 30 second bushwhack here. The GPS is right 🙁
This is where you’ll depart the Lil’ Choo Choo, and the biggest part of the night starts.
At Stave Falls you’ll turn up some gravel switchbacks to take you up to the Dewd’. Then you’ve got a lovely paved section all the way to Bear Mountain. If you hear gunshots – don’t worry! It’s not night terrors! Just a firing range nearby. A silly and steep climbing trail will push you up the mountain to a grav grav descent, and then back on pavement for a bit. You’ll get the chance to resupply at the 24 Hour Mission Centex.
From there, you’re on a short highway section, then quiet farm roads, and a lil’ dyke gravel trail. Plus a teeny bit more highway. At the Sasquatch Inn, turn back onto gravel on the Chehalis Main FSR. An eventual left and past a gate will get you on the Statlu Main, until you turn left again to take the Margaret Creek Pass FSR.
If you’re at the point where your saddle has become uncomfortable, lucky you! This 800 M elevation push is a tremendous hike a bike to keep you on your toes. Finally, a long, easy gravel descent all the way down the Norrish Main. Bliss! Mind the gate in the last 5 KM though.
Blast off into the dawn on some bike paths and road all the way to the Mission Centre train station. And a teeny bit of singletrack. Please be careful crossing the lougheed highway – there’s no great spot to do it here, and it’s a little sketchy.
If you finish early (how are you so fast?!?) enjoy an early breakfast at Rocco’s 24 hour diner. No shame in needing to catch a later train home, or even the bus. This route is a doozy!
LIL’ CHOO CHOO
| DISTANCE → | UP ↑ | SURFACES | ENERGY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65.2 KM | 1,046M | 53% UNPAVED | PARTY PACE |
COURSE INFO
It ain’t party pace, but it sure feels good to take a little more time to enjoy the evening out here. Enjoy a swim in three lakes to make this a real special night!
The choo choo follows the chugga all the way until Stave Falls. Here comes some funky gravel paths and trails by Hayward Lake! Don’t mind the landslide signs, but also take care. You’re almost there. Finish at South Beach for a refreshing early morning dip. There’s also an outhouse here.
After that, it’s up to you. The end of the course is 16ish km away from the Mission City train station by highway, or if you’re heading back to the start, it’s about 25km on roads and bike paths. This section is untimed and at your own discretion. While it would be much simpler to have the choo choo be a proper loop or end at the train station, we don’t want you sprinting to the finish on a busy highway! This also gives you a bit of flexibility if you want to watch the Big Chugga Chugga finish, or head back to your car at the start.
CAPACITY + LOGISTICS
LIMITED TO 60 PARTICIPANTS TOTAL
While the Sleepy Caboose is imagined as a train to train overnight ride, capacity will be limited to what is feasible for Translink. The West Coast Express allows for bringing around 5 bikes per train, and with 5 trains leaving each evening, up to 25 riders can take the train. Pick a train that works for your schedule when you register!
If all 25 train spots get taken (wow), we’ll also have 35 additional spots for folks to make their own way out to the Sleepy Caboose, by car, bus, or 😤 *human power*.
Up to 25 participants by West Coast Express
Up to 35 participants by car, bus, or human power
TRAIN LOGISTICS
Pick a train that works for your schedule when you register!
Board the West Coast Express from Waterfront Station at your designated time. You’re on your own for figuring out ticketing. Once you arrive at Port Haney Station in beautiful Maple Ridge, follow this short route to take you to the staging area.
Riders taking the earlier trains will get to hang out at the staging area until the grand depart. We’ll be close to the Billy Miner Pub so you can grab a bite before the long night ahead. When the last Express arrives at Port Haney at 7:35, train riders will have 10 minutes to unload and ride to the staging area, before the rider’s meeting starts at 7:45 PM. Clock starts at 8:00 PM sharp. I recommend you only take the last train if you’re someone who’s very organized 🙂
Pick a course that works for your speed, and try to finish before the first train back from Mission City to Vancouver at 5:25 AM the next morning. Plan accordingly, as the last Express train to Vancouver leaves at 7:25 AM, and if you miss that, it’s a significantly longer transit home (an extra 2 hours).
Special note for the Lil’ Choo Choo (short course)! The end of the course is 16ish km away from the Mission City train station, and 25 km from Port Haney. We don’t want you sprinting down the highway to finish – that sounds dangerous and not so fun. It’s an easy roll to the Mission station, but make sure you keep that in mind.
CAR LOGISTICS
Park around here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QSKpL88Vt3puPJUX9
Make sure you’re there well before the rider’s meeting at 7:45. Clock starts at 8:00PM sharp.
There’s street parking, but be aware that both routes are point to points, and will necessitate at least a 20-30km chill ride from each finish back to the staging area on paved roads.
Please carpool if you can!
BUS / SKYTRAIN LOGISTICS
Taking the Skytrain to Coquitlam center will get you 29km away from the start: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45846390?privacy_code=wSMqQSXv3U7u5QedODczQLAX39D36spZ
Or you could bus all the way there. Up to you!
Staging area is here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QSKpL88Vt3puPJUX9
Make sure you’re there well before the rider’s meeting at 7:45. Clock starts at 8:00PM sharp.
😤 HUMAN POWERED LOGISTICS
OK you absolute ledge. I love it. Cuckoo and bananas!!!!!
Meet here for the riders meeting: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QSKpL88Vt3puPJUX9
Make sure you’re there well before the rider’s meeting at 7:45. Clock starts at 8:00PM sharp.
What equipment should I bring? 🤔
Both routes enjoy pavement, rough gravel, singletrack, and smooth gravel.
A bike with 45mm+ tires is recommended. A hardtail would be a blast. A gravel bike would work too.
Make sure that whatever bike you have, it’s equipped with lights, tools, and equipment to keep you safe out there.
LIGHTS
Front and rear lights are required for this ride.
Ensure you have enough batteries to last throughout the night. Flashing lights and vests are strongly recommended – there’s multiple road sections, especially on the Big Chugga Chugga.
MAPPING
You’ll need a GPS device to follow route.
This can be your phone, but again, bring batteries.
If you’re planning on racing the Sleepy Caboose, you need to record your own ride with a GPS device. If you’d like to be on the eventual results page, please send me a link to your ride recording.
SNACKIES
Don’t bonk! Bring some yummy treats.
Centex Gas Station is open 24 hours. So is Rocco’s Diner once you finish. Plenty of natural water sources close to the route too.
SAFETY
Make sure you’ve got the gear you need to stay safe without depending on the help of others.
A couple ideas:
Toolkit for mechanicals
Water and snacks
Water filtration
Extra layers
Emergency bivy
Medical kit
Batteries
A Good Vibe