Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Spend the day outside with Mom

For the first time in at least a decade, I’ll be hanging out with my mom on Mother’s Day. Sweet, right? We live hundreds of kilometres away from each other and typically catch up over the phone instead of in person.
westender-fitness-mothers day

 

For the first time in at least a decade, I’ll be hanging out with my mom on Mother’s Day. Sweet, right? We live hundreds of kilometres away from each other and typically catch up over the phone instead of in person. Since this weekend will be different, I’m hosting a playdate and taking her on a bicycle tour of the city. We’ll picnic and I’ll try (but fail) to convince her to swig from a growler in one of my cherished public parks.

She’s a focused cruiser who sticks to every rule of the road and doesn’t leave home without her helmet and GPS, but since she won’t have her own bicycle (or crash-hat) in Vancouver, we’ll be renting. I’m choosing Mobi for our wheels.

I am already a subscriber and for $20 have unlimited hour-long rides through the month. Mobi does not offer a useful plus-one option, and I wish I could rent two bikes at once for a nominal extra fee. But since this isn’t possible, I’ll sign up my mom for a day pass. The cost is $7.50 and while rides are unlimited through the day, each one is limited to only 30 minutes at a time.

Our route will therefore be guided by the location of Mobi stands as we cycle for half-hour stints between locking up. I’ve planned a route to Granville Island, Kitsilano, over the Burrard Bridge to the West End, through downtown to Gastown and then along the Seawall to Mount Pleasant.

I can’t wait to find out what my mom thinks. In the meantime, celebrate your mom and other female mentors in your life by being active together, too. 

 

Tee one up

Fraserview and McCleery golf academies offer private and group lessons. With the guidance of an instructor at these public courses, everyone from the novice to the scratch golfer can learn something to improve their game and lower their score. Go together.

 

Drop a shot

Vancouver is home to more than 180 public tennis courts. Wrap up a new sleeve of balls and head out to rally or play a game.

 

Hit the key

My mom doesn’t shoot hoops, but one of my favourite basketball courts anywhere is below the Cambie Bridge in Yaletown. It’s sheltered, so it’s welcoming rain or shine and great for pick-up games or shooting around one-on-one.

 

Flow

If you’ve never hit the yoga mat alongside your mom, you really have no excuse not to, especially in this city. Try a beginner class if one of you is inexperienced, otherwise reserve two spots at your favourite studio. Right now, I’m feeling the live music classes at Moksha East Van, but keep in mind there’s no instruction, just a guided flow put to acoustic guitar and singing. 

 

Ride the trails

The Southlands Riding Club does not offer horse rentals, but certified trainers can be hired for lessons before heading out on the trails with you. To take lessons at the club, non-members can pay a guest fee. If your mom ever grew up wanting a pony, give her one for the day.