For the past two plus years, Washington Bikes has spearheaded the effort to create the US Bicycle Route System in our state. Partnered with WSDOT, we successfully received national designation earlier this year for our first interstate route—USBR 10—and a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on September 14 in Anacortes to officially open the route.
WA Bikes board member John Pope of Anacortes, has tirelessly coordinated our USBRS mapping efforts as a volunteer. Yesterday he hopped in the saddle to pedal the 407-mile route that travels across the northern tier of our state. We are following John’s week-long adventure on our Facebook page. Here’s a summary of Day One:
John’s journey began at the ferry terminal in Anacortes. This is the western terminus of USBR 10 and it allows the bike traveler to continue westward to the San Juan Islands and Canada’s Vancouver Island.
He meandered alongside the Skagit River his first day, passing through communities like Sedro Woolley and Concrete along the way. He was joined by members of Skagit Bicycle Club for part of the day, then rode for awhile with a solo touring cyclist who was on his way to Winthrop.
After overcoming leg cramps at Rockport, John pedaled onward into the majestic North Cascades National Park. He called it a day at Newhalem Campground, one of three national park campgrounds along USBR 10 as it passes through North Cascades.
John’s wife Michele is traveling with him on this adventure in their RV and providing vehicle and moral support, and providing us with the photos. She reported that scenery along USBR 10 has been stunning and they are looking forward to Day Two!
Day One stats: 87 miles traveled on mostly flat terrain.
Resources:
For additional information about USBR 10, including a map, visit our USBR 10 page.
Visit Adventure Cycling Association to learn more about the nationwide effort to develop the US Bicycle Route System.
Related Reading
- Bike It: USBR 10 (Day One)
- Bike It: USBR 10 – The Epic Climb (Day Two)
- Bike It: USBR 10 – Methow Valley (Day Three)
- Bike It: USBR 10 – Okanogan Country to Republic (Day Four)
- Bike It: USBR 10 – Over Sherman Pass to Colville (Day Five)
- Bike It: USBR 10 – Blazing Saddles and Colville Ribbon-Cutting (Day Six)
- Bike It: USBR 10 – A Long 92 Miles to Newport (Day Seven)
- USBR 10, Northern Washington State
- Washington State’s First US Bicycle Route Designated
One Trackback
[…] Bike It: USBR 10 | Washington Bikes – Follow USBR volunteer organizer John Pope as he bikes the route across the state. […]