** Note: Registration deadline is extended to 7:00pm Saturday June 28 - no Day-Of registration!! **

To celebrate the 158th anniversary of Canada Day, we will do a 158km non-competition, social ride in the scenic Fraser Valley around Abbotsford.

Something has changed this year, the ride is for BC Randonneurs members ONLY. Join at https://database.randonneurs.bc.ca/registration/member. The annual membership fee is $10.

Event ride fee is $10.

Things that never change are the fun and excitement you will get while riding with fellow riders on the road.

Most portions of the route are familiar to people who have ridden in the past but the start line has moved to Walnut Grove Community Centre at Walnut Grove Dr and 88th Ave. The finish line will be confirmed after the pre-ride.

Entries will be capped at 100 and registration closed if that number is approached. Click the "Who's Registered" button on the top of this event page to get an idea of how many spots are still available.

Update#1 (2025-06-09):

Walnut Grove Community Centre opens on the July 1st from 8am-8pm. Parking is limited to 2 hours. Please find street parking nearby.

Road condtions are mostly great, in rando standard, except some sections near the top of the Sumas Mountain climb. Watch out for big cracks and holes, which have been there for long enough. Having your tail light on is a good idea at those shades covered winding sections. 

Birchwood is always busy on weekends and holidays. Line for ice cream is long. Not many people are aware of, they have a small ice cream kiosk just right outside the washroom behind the vintage vehicle. It has less selections though but the line is very short or just no line. I found it out after lined for 25 minutes in the shop.

Update#2 (2025-06-18):

Route modified to eliminate the Olund Rd downhill left turn, by routing S on Mt Lehman, then E along Downes (Bike Lane) to eventually N on Riverside.  Also, Birchwood Dairy Control is now accessed to and from Vye Rd directly via Fadden. Colin F

Update#3 (2025-06-23):

Route (Maple Leaf Populaire 2025 v1.2 · Ride with GPS) modified to detour around the bridge shut down on 248 St, N of 64 Ave, by R turn on 64 Ave, Left on 256 St co to 72 Ave.  Extra distance adjusted by bypass of Yarrow to heading S on Tolmie from No. 3 Rd. Colin F

*** Please note, not like the usual Canada Day Populaire in the past, this is an introductory ride to randonneuring which is long-distance unsupported endurance cycling. The check points (Controls) at Matsqui Valley Park and Birchwood Dairy are for verification of riders following the route. Water, Gatorade powder and maybe some snacks will be provided at the check points. Riders are responsible for their own food/water supply arrangement. Chevron/Starbucks (79km) and Birchwood (100km) are good spots for lunch. After Birchwood, there're 2 gas stations for re-supply, Centex (112.4km) and Co-Op (137km). ***