Midsummer. Midsommer. Sankt Hans Aften.

The Scandinavian tradition of celebrating the longest days of the year. In Denmark, bonfires are lit, and friends and family gather to eat, drink, and enjoy the magic of summer. At Pas Normal Studios, they mark the season with their biggest rides and most ambitious event: The Midsummer Challenge.

This year, Enroute called on the community to come together and take on over 200 kilometres through the suburbs of Vancouver. More than 80 riders answered that call, rolling out from the Enroute Clubhouse at 7:00 AM, ready for a day of rolling hills, long flats, and ocean views.

We split into four groups and set off at 7:30 AM. Some surged ahead around the University of British Columbia, setting a strong early pace, while others settled in for a long, steady day in the saddle. Sweeping through Richmond along the Fraser River, we enjoyed a rare but welcome tailwind on River Road before climbing over the Alex Fraser Bridge into North Delta, where short, steep climbs and fast descents kept things interesting.

The first rest stop came at the 75 km mark in Crescent Beach - a quiet, tree-lined seaside community. Waiting for us? A rest stop straight out of a dream: candy, freezies, water, cardamom buns, and cold drinks. The sun finally broke through as we refuelled, setting the stage for the final 125 kilometres.

From White Rock, we hit Zero Avenue and the pace lifted. Riding along the fields that border the U.S., the long, flat stretches made the kilometres tick by quickly. Approaching Fort Langley, we climbed rolling hills past farmland and grazing cows. Some groups stopped in Fort Langley to refuel, while others pressed on towards Port Moody.

The final stop: Rocky Point Ice Cream in Port Moody. Cold cones never tasted so good. With spirits (and sugar levels) restored, we rolled back into Vancouver, proud to have tackled such an epic day on the bike.

Huge thanks to Pas Normal Studios for supporting the ride, local PNS Ambassador Helena Tetris for keeping us fuelled with candy and freezies, and Devan Franz for organizing the aid stations and taking beautiful photos. Days like these remind us why we ride and why the Vancouver cycling and Enroute community is so special.

Stay tuned for more events with Pas Normal Studios this summer by following us at @Enroutecc

MIDSUMMER ESSENTIALS