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Maltby-Mount Vernon Century Bike Ride

By Guest Blogger | Published January 1, 2016

The century ride I mapped out is an out & back route that begins in Maltby and heads north to Mount Vernon. This relatively flat hundred rolls through the open farmlands, thick woodlands and wetlands, surrounding the lush countrysides of Snohomish County out to Skagit County.

Sixty percent of this ride is on the Centennial Trail; a 30 mile well-maintained multi-purpose trail that begins in the town of Snohomish and ends at the red barn of the historic Nakashima Farm at the North Trailhead. This linear path is built on the old Burlington-Northern railroad line and goes through the towns of Snohomish, Lake Stevens, Marysville and Arlington.

We exit Maltby Community Park onto Broadway Ave and head north on this two-lane road through residential neighborhoods.

Springhetti Road drops us down through the valley with views of the vast agricultural lands of this rich fertile region. This countryside is filled with dairy farms, corn fields, a Christmas tree farms, horse ranches, a plant and tree nursery and farm stands.

We continue on Airport Way/99th Ave SE past a few large farm houses and Harvey Field to cross the bridge over the Snohomish River into Snohomish.

We enter the historic downtown business district of Snohomish on 1st St; this area is filled with many antique shops and collectibles, cafes and restaurants and galleries. The town overlooks the Snohomish River with fantastic views of the water and the River Trestle.

From Maple Ave, we pick hop onto the Centennial Trail off Pine St; the trail is up to 10 feet wide and runs parallel to Machias Rd and the Snohomish River. It goes through the many open fields and meadows with occasional scenes of the river.

As we’re rolling along, we catch a glimpse of a colorful field of flowers. I stop to turn around for a second look and Michael motions for me to continue on the trail to a little side road, maybe it’ll lead us to the flowers? We follow the road down and around the side and come upon a white sign for Accent Dahlias. I stop to read the little pink paper posting and it welcomes visitors to the display gardens-just follow the trail of orange ribbons to the garden. We walk the bikes through a small path that opens up to eye popping colorful dahlias! The flowers are absolutely BEAUTIFUL and some of the blooms are 10-12 inches wide — WOW! Ken, the owner is very friendly and more than glad to answer any questions you may have. For 2010, he grew over 400 varieties and has won Best of Show several times.

We continue on the trail through Lake Stevens past residential backyards out to the industrial edge of town.

The tree-lined trail continues through the dense woods along the ridge with fantastic views of Marysville valley.

The trail enters the lumber town of Arlington along 67th Ave NE, this road divides the town with lumber and industrial located to the west and residential neighborhoods to the east.

We continue through the edge of Arlington’s historic downtown area. This is where a guy just randomly yells out at us to eat the $1 burgers at the bowling alley. $1 burgers, I could go for that, we’ll have to try it on our way back!

The trail crosses over the Stillaguamish River on the old train trestle by Haller Park in Arlington. The views are amazing and bring about a very peaceful feeling; the river runs through the dense forests along the gravel bar with glimpses of the mountains in the far, far distance!

The trail takes us along the ridge above the valley floor and through the wetlands to the small town of Bryant.

The path continues through more pastoral settings out to the tree-lined stretch along Pilchuck Creek.

The Centennial Trail ends at the red barn of the Historic Nakashima Barn — the North Trailhead. The surrounding area is very scenic with its dense forests and wide open meadows — everything is green!

The rolling gentle terrain on WA-9 N takes us through the small town of Lake MacMurray to WA-534. WA-534 leads us out of the “country” towards I-5 and Mt Vernon.

Cedardale Road is a frontage road along I-5; the flat terrain takes us through the agricultural fields of Skagit County.

We cross I-5 on Anderson Road and ride along Henson and E Section Road into Mount Vernon with a lunch stop at Bill’s Diner on South 2nd Street.

Mount Vernon is the turnaround point; from here we basically reverse our way back to the North Trailhead and continue on the Centennial Trail.

We do stop in Arlington to take advantage of the $1 burgers at Rocket Alley: a beef patty with secret sauce on a soft bun. The burger is one dollar if you buy a drink or an order of fries. This will fuel us back to Maltby!

Near Lake Stevens, we hear thunder and see some lightning flash across the sky. Rain is in the forecast and we get caught in it for the last 15 miles back through Snohomish and to Maltby Park.

For dinner, we stop at Hong Kong Dim Sum on our way back into Seattle. We had soup to warm the tummy and lots of vegetables. The Shanghai dumplings are pretty good too! We have enough leftovers for tomorrow night’s dinner.

This century was most enjoyable — the flat 60 miles out and back on the Centennial Trail allowed for a quiet peaceful ride with no traffic! The broad path takes you through the old lumber towns, past the rich agricultural farmlands and woodlands around Snohomish and Skagit Counties.

This would be a great first century for anyone with minimal elevation gain. The scenery alone is worth the ride and the side trip to Accent Dahlias is well worth the extra time!

Garmin Stats:
105.53 Miles with 2694′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 445′
Max grade: 7%
Terrain: Flat with a few low climbs

GueGuest blogger Nancy Yu biked all over Washington, Nancy shared her experience doing Maltby-Mount Vernon Century Bike Ride, to see all her posts and find out where she’s riding next follow her blog:http://ridechronicles.com/

Posted in Adventure, Bike Blogs, Guest Blogger, Rides | Tagged Adventure, Arlington, bike ride, Bryant, Centennial Trail, Lake MacMurray, Lake Stevens, Maltby, Mount Vernon, rural, skagit county, Snohomish, Snohomish Centennial Trail, Stillaguamish River | Comments Off

2015: A Big Year for Bicycling in Washington State

By Barb Chamberlain | Published December 31, 2015

How to recap a year with so much in it? One month at a time.

January: We look back at 2014 trail projects, block a bad bill right off the bat as the legislature convenes, start working on a bill to deal with faulty traffic signals, help people understand just how widespread the demand and support for Safe Routes to School projects are across the state, launch registration for the Washington Bike Summit, experience a little jaw-drop at just how big the economic impact of bike travel/tourism is in Washington (hint: the figure starts with a B), and keep our safety education rolling with a new brochure of driving tips.

February: Dig into the developing conversations on a transportation revenue package that could fund bike/walk projects, work on our “Dead Red” policy bill and work on it some more, highlight local events from Yakima to Tacoma, feature one of our great keynote speakers for the Summit, and of course the month opens with Michael Bennett’s famous bike ride when the Seahawks won the Super Bowl.

February’s fun bike challenge: Winter Bike to Work Day

March: Move the Dead Red bill through the Senate and into the House, see a news channel showcase a school making great use of our Safe Routes to School curriculum, and hold a fantastic Washington Bike Summit with a national keynote speaker, content that one grad student loves, and a sold-out crowd.

March’s fun bike challenge: Errandonnee, which some of you really go for

SSB_5438_Bill_Signing April: Look at the importance of gathering good data (which we’ll be working on thanks to a grant from WSDOT), give a shout-out to new Bicycle Friendly Businesses and the first bike race in the state to benefit our advocacy work (thanks, Wenatchee Valley Velo!), celebrate when the Dead Red bill passes and Gov. Inslee signs it into law and again when he signs into law recommendations of the Parks/Outdoor Recreation Task force we helped lead, start gearing up with action alerts on the transportation revenue package (and again and again), highlight Spokane Bicycle Club’s work to help the Safe Routes to School program in Reardan keep rolling and the City of Pullman’s adoption of bike goals.

April’s fun bike challenge: 30 Days of Biking

May: We celebrate our eighth year as the #1 Bicycle Friendly State as Gov. Inslee proclaims May Bike Month. The legislature ends its regular session and rolls straight through a special session; we stay on top of it with lobbying and analysis. Meanwhile, the Ride of Silence takes places in several Washington towns to highlight just how much we need more investment in safer streets, and we feature local clubs and the work under way to grow advocacy in Yakima.

May’s fun bike challenges: National Bike Month, the National Bike Challenge, and commuter challenges around the state, and a new idea from a Seattle rider: #WaveBackWA

Installation of a bicycle/pedestrian counter, Redmond, WA, 2015. Pic by Washington Bikes. June: The legislature kept meeting, we kept working on transportation funding; they passed a transportation budget but they weren’t done with the revenue package so we kept up our drumbeat for investments in health and safety right through crunch time. The state bike/pedestrian counter network began to grow, we helped a Whatcom County group reach out for support for a new trail. We celebrated five new Bicycle Friendly Communities, including the Jamestown S’Klallam as the first tribal government in the nation to be named one, and looked at what it takes to be designated a BFC.

July: The legislature finished a mere 176 days after it started (a new state record — the longest set of sessions in history). But we weren’t done making sure the historic funding wins for trails and equally historic funding levels for other bike/walk projects would turn into groundbreakings and ribbon-cuttings. The once-in-a-generation level of funding was threatened; we showed what was at stake; and Washingtonians spoke up and we protected the funding. Whew! (And here our policy director thought it was safe to go on vacation once the last special session ended….)

August: We continued to feature great local efforts to grow and improve bicycling, from Ellensburg (a new Bicycle Friendly Community) to Kidical Mass rides. We encouraged Seattle voters to support a local levy that would provide significant investments in better bicycling and safer streets. And in our biggest news of the year, we announced publicly that the boards of Washington Bikes and Cascade Bicycle Club were discussing the possibility of merging.

September: We show the great work being done by local advocates working with kids in Vancouver, Congress works on the federal transportation bill (again) with great leadership from Washington state, our ED wins a national award, and in very sad and unexpected news Jerry Baker, one of our founders and an icon of bicycling in the greater Seattle area, dies.

September’s fun bike challenge: 30 Days of Biking

October: We encourage schools to apply for Safe Routes to School curriculum grants, enjoy the fact that Colorado’s governor is trying to beat our historic funding levels (that’s the kind of governor’s race everyone can love), encourage Seattle voters to vote yes on the Move Seattle levy, and provide an update on a critical issue that’s been heating up: public ownership of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, which is a state park. And just for fun, we ask what interesting things you smell along the way when you ride.

November: We’re delighted to report progress on the Ferry County Rail Trail thanks to local advocates, it’s time to vote for our state entry in the national bike poster contest, we encourage people to attend John Wayne Trail town hall meetings and speak up for this historic trail (longest rail-trail in the country), it’s time for an action alert to Congress as it keeps working on federal transportatoin funding, and we provide an update on the progress of the merger talks.

November’s fun bike challenge: Ride in the Rain

December: More great progress on bike connections to report in Jefferson County and Lewis County, Congress actually passes a transportation bill, we adopt our 2016 legislative agenda and, in a big finish to a year’s worth of bike advocacy, education, and outreach, the boards of Washington Bikes and Cascade Bicycle Club vote to merge the two organizations, forming the nation’s largest bike nonprofit.

And that doesn’t even include all the bike travel posts, highlighted rides, and thoughts about bike culture and the joys of bicycling. Here’s to a tremendous 2015 and happy pedaling as we roll into an even better 2016.

[Tweet “My fave month for biking WA in 2015 was ADD MONTH because ADD REASON.”]

Posted in Advocacy | Comments Off

All kinds of riders for all kinds of reasons

By Louise McGrody | Published December 30, 2015

As we pedal into a new year, let’s take a look at who Washington Bikes represents. We’re riders young and young-at-heart, urban and rural, fast and not-so-fast, long distance riders and riders in the neighborhood. We share something in common: the joy of riding a bike.

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Everett-Mukilteo-Whidbey Island Century

By Guest Blogger | Published December 28, 2015

We’re now a bit further north of Seattle in the city of Everett for a century ride that begins from Lakeside RV Park to Mukilteo and continues with a ferry ride out to Whidbey Island for a 91 mile hilly route that roughly goes in a counter clock-wise NW figure eight direction through the towns of Clinton, Langley, Freeland, Greenbank and Coupeville.

We exit the RV Park and take WA-99 to WA-525/Mukilteo Speedway for the eight miles down to the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal. The fare to Whidbey Island is $4.65 (other discounts may apply if eligible) plus a $1 bicycle surcharge. Arrive 15-20 minutes before departure time to be loaded prior to the vehicle loading process. There are no bike racks; they can be hooked on or strapped to the yellow side railings of the boat. The ferry crossing to Clinton is an enjoyable 20 minutes from Mukilteo.

From the Clinton Ferry Dock, we take WA-525 to Bob Galbreath Rd; this road initially goes through the residential neighborhoods of Clinton before winding out towards the dense wooded area on Wilkinson Rd. The rolling hills takes us pass the Comforts Farm and Vineyards and a cute little farm stand at Ryrose Ranch.

Sandy Point Rd leads us onto the Langley Loop on Camano Ave; this road takes us into the seaside town of Langley pass the cool graphics at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts. I also noticed lots of grazing bunnies roaming freely around the surrounding grassy areas and at the campground cross the street.

The Langley Loop continues on Cascade Ave; this short stretch of road runs along the top of the bluff with amazing views of Puget Sound. This tiny town of less than 3/4 of a mile square is filled with historic buildings that house the many different galleries, studios, boutiques, B&B’s, Inns, cafes and restaurants. Even in this small community of 950 people, there are three different churches and a Alcoholics Anonymous!

Saratoga Rd leads us out of town to the “country’ with its open pastoral meadows, ranches and farms. The road heads north up to the tip at Baby Island Heights along the hidden backyards of the waterfront community.

We head south on East Harbor Rd; this quiet road goes through a huge section of dense forest with small residential neighborhoods hidden behind the woods. You see the occasional flower stand out on the side of the road along with grazing deer.

East Harbor Rd ends at the outskirts of another small community-Freeland. Freeland is the island’s retail and financial center. We continue on S Stewart Rd to Freeland Park for a quick pit stop. This park has a boat launch area with gorgeous views of Holmes Harbor! I even spot a bald eagle perched up on a tree-WOW!

The short steep climb up Shoreview Dr takes us across WA-525 to E Bush Point Rd; this road goes through the rural farmlands out towards the small residential areas around Mutiny Bay. Smugglers Cove Rd is a road that runs parallel to Bush Point and continues north through the lush forests to South Whidbey State Park. This is a great shaded place to stop for a quick snack, water & restrooms. The rolling climbs on Smugglers Cove Rd continue pass Lagoon Point and weaves its way out to WA-525.

From WA-525, we make a quick turn onto North Bluff Rd into the smallest town on the island-Greenbank. This town is situated on the narrowest point of the island and is home to the historic Greenbank Farm-a popular tourist destination. You simply can’t miss the bright red barn-it stands out against the green agricultural fields!

We stay on North Bluff Rd for next rolling 3.8 miles to the steep climb up Houston Rd and get back on WA-525 N to Race Rd. Race Rd runs along the east edge of the island near Harrington Lagoon. Morris Rd turns west and opens up to the expansive meadows of Smith Prairie.

Parker Rd leads us into the town of Coupeville, on Penn Cove along the eastern shore of the island. Our lunch stop is at the Knead & Feed Bakery Restaurant on Front St. There’s a little sitting area next to the bakery with fabulous views of Penn Cove.

Coupeville is like a blast from the past with its beautiful Victorian homes and original blockhouses. The historic Front St has the usual mixes of antique shops, boutiques and restaurants. The Coupeville Wharf is one of the only remaining original wharfs and wharf building in the Pacific Northwest-WOW! This is another popular tourist destination spot!

We exit Coupeville and head a bit further west along Madrona Way; this beautiful madrona tree lined road hugs the shoreline of Penn Cove to Kennedys Lagoon. The 3.7 miles on WA-20 takes us back into Coupeville.

From Coupeville, we turn onto S Engle Rd for the flat stretch through Ebbys Prairie; this rural area is a rich coastal farmland with fields and fields of barley, oats and organic grains. With views of Puget Sound in the far distance, the road drops down into Fort Casey State Park, north of the Coupeville Ferry Terminal.

We continue on Fort Casey Rd up to the Crockett Blockhouse and Crockett Farm with views of Crockett Lake.

W Wanamaker Rd cuts through the coastal farmlands and ranches near Crockett Lake out to WA-505.

This section of the route retraces itself on WA-525 to Houston Rd and North Bluff Rd back to Greenbank. We continue on WA-525 S to the rolling hills on Resort Rd and Honeymoon Bay Rd towards Holmes Harbor. We get back on WA-525 through the towns of Freeland and Bayview.

The turn on Bayview Rd takes us through the small neighborhoods towards the southern point of the island near Cultus Bay. We weave our way along the shoreline on Ewing Rd, Sills Rd to Maxwelton with views of Useless Bay.

The steady climb up Swede Hill Rd takes us to the descent on Scatchet head Rd to Bailey Rd. We continue north on the rolling climbs up Cultus Bay Rd to Deer Lake Rd. The last few rollers on Deer Lake Rd take us back onto WA-525 into Clinton and to the Clinton Ferry Terminal.

It’s a relaxing scenic 20 minute ferry ride back to Mukilteo. The steady climb up Mukilteo Speedway/WA-525 takes us to WA-99 and back to the RV Park in Everett.

Whidbey Island is the largest island in Puget Sound and only 29 miles away from Seattle. It’s still very close but seems a far distance away in terms of old world feel-it’s a wonderful getaway! It’s a beautiful rural island with many small communities dotted and hidden amongst the verdant forests with plenty of history and charm! Here’s another tidbit I learned from talking to a local, there are no mosquitoes and because the island is situated in the rain shadow of the Olympics, they have more sunshine than any other Western Washington location! It might be time to move! So go ahead, go north and enjoy the quiet hilly country roads and gorgeous coastal rural landscapes that comes along with it! There are no bad roads, they’re all well maintained with minimal to no traffic except for the busy sections along WA-525 and WA-20, even then, there’s plenty of shoulder area to ride on.

Garmin Stats:
107.23 Miles with 7776′ of elevation gain
(includes 16 out & back miles from Everett to Mukilteo)
Max elevation: 398′
Max grade: 14%
Terrain: Hilly

Weather: FANTASTIC! Sunny, warm and clear with temps ranging from the low 50’s to the low 80’s. NNE winds with 94% humidity

Guest blogger Nancy Yu writes about her bike travels at Ride Chronicles. She says, “I loved cycling around Washington. It’s a beautiful state with a wonderful network of trails and bike-friendly people. I ride to explore and love sharing my findings! I hope the write-ups and pictures will inspire those who can to get out there and enjoy the natural beauty of all that is available to us.”

Posted in Adventure, Bike Blogs, Guest Blogger, Rides, Whidbey Island | Tagged Bald Eagle, Bay, Bike Adventure, bike ride, bike tourism, Coupville, Everett, food, Freeland, Freeland Park, Langley Loop, Mukilteo, Whidbey Island | Comments Off

2016 Washington Bikes Legislative Agenda

By Blake Trask | Published December 23, 2015

Washington Bikes’ 2016 Legislative Agenda seeks to protect historic investments in biking, support distracted driving legislation, grow bicycle travel and tourism, and protect trails.

Trying to outdo what was arguably the most successful legislative sessions for biking in Washington state history is a tall order. In 2015, Washington Bike’ priority legislation, the “dead red” bill, passed in its first attempt with strong bipartisan support for a common-sense safety solution. The Washington State Legislature also passed a state transportation package, which invests approximately $500 million for biking, walking, Safe Routes to Schools, and complete streets projects over the next 16 years. Additionally, the two-year state capital budget invested in a record $15.5 million to build important trail connections statewide. To top it off, the legislature passed a bill to establish an outdoor recreation sector lead in the Governor’s Office and to support important changes for outdoor youth education.

All those achievements didn’t come easy as the legislature went through not one, but three special overtime sessions. It amounted to a record 176 days in session (the 2015 legislature originally was scheduled to last 105 days). By most accounts, many remain fatigued and are looking to complete the “short” 60-day second session of the two-year biennium on time.

The 2016 Legislative Agenda

Washington Bikes Board of Directors and its Legislative and Statewide Issues Committee set a 2016 approach with four focus areas that largely mirrors last year’s agenda. It adds one significant focus to protect trails, like the John Wayne Pioneer Trail.

Here are the four priority areas (note, they are not prioritized by the Committee or the Board):

Investments that get Washingtonians where they want to go

Washington Bikes continues to support transportation investments that focus on smart investments in successful programs that provide safe and healthy routes to schools for our children, complete streets for Washington’s main streets and business districts, as well as investments in trails and bikeways that improve mobility and spur economic development in rural and urban areas alike.

Ask: (1) Retain historic funding levels made by 2015 Legislature for the Safe Routes to School Grant Program, Bicycle Pedestrian Safety Grant Program, Complete Streets Grant Program, as well as the bicycle and pedestrian project list.

Protecting Trails Statewide

Washington state has some of the longest and most iconic trails in the nation for biking, walking. Washington Bikes is committed to keeping trails open and accessible. Washington Bikes will monitor and explore the potential for additional investments that connect and improve trails for neighboring residents, visitors, and neighboring communities that benefit from the economic opportunities that trails bring via the $3.1 billion that bicycle riders spend in Washington state.

Growing the Multimillion Dollar Bicycle Travel & Tourism Industry

Bicycle travel and tourism is big business. According to a 2015 Economic Impact study from the Governor’s Task Force on Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Washington state bicycle riders spend $3.1 billion annually. An improved understanding of bike travel and tourism in Washington state is needed to make smart choices for growth statewide, particularly in rural areas.

Ask: Funding for a study of the economic impact of bicycle travel and tourism by the Department of Commerce will help quantify the industry and improve strategies to grow our state’s economy.

Strengthen Washington State’s Distracted Driving Laws

Following Washington Bikes successful lobbying in 2010, this Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC) agency request legislation improves upon the current law by broadening the definition so that any person (with much narrower exceptions) operating a motor vehicle while holding a personal wireless communications device is guilty of a traffic infraction. It closes loopholes such as being able to use one’s phone while stopped at an intersection or stoplight (currently legal), it also expands the definitions of handheld uses to ban texting and email use on smart phones. Additional violations receive twice the penalty, plus violations go on one’s driver record for insurance purposes. Finally, distracted driving would be included in Department of Licensing exams (currently they are not).

Ask: WTSC agency request legislation.

Posted in Advocacy, Economic Impact, Funding/Policy, Infrastructure, Issues & Advocacy, Legislature, News, Safe Routes to School, Trails, Transportation | Comments Off

Bainbridge Island Bike Ride

By Guest Blogger | Published December 22, 2015

We’re getting on the ferry again for a bike ride around Bainbridge Island. The fare to Bainbridge Island is $7.70 (other discounts may apply if eligible) plus a $1.00 bicycle surcharge. Arrive 15-20 minutes before departure time to be loaded prior to the vehicle loading process. There are no bike racks; they can be hooked on or strapped to the yellow side railings of the boat. The ferry crossing is a scenic 35 minute cruise from Seattle’s waterfront.

Downtown Bainbridge Island looks like it was recently revamped with new sidewalks and hanging baskets of colorful flowers. The area is very walkable being only a block away from the ferry terminal on Winslow Way E. You can window shop through the galleries and boutiques and when you need a break, stop at one of the many cafes, restaurants and bakeries for a bite to eat. It’s also a progressive community with a new urban One Planet neighborhood; Grow Community. It’s an attractive way of living while using fewer of earth’s resources; zero carbon and waste, sustainable transport and local and sustainable food and water-very impressive and stylish too!

We exit the downtown area to Eagle Harbor Dr NE, this road runs along the shoreline of Eagle Harbor and through the wooded neighborhoods out to Rockaway Beach Rd NE. The road becomes NE Halls Hill Rd as it steeply curves around Blakely Harbor to Blakely Hill Rd and Blakely Ave.

The turn on NE Country Club Rd takes us pass the large estate homes nestled in the woods with fabulous waterfront views. We continue south on Toe Jam Hill NE for the 0.7 mile 7-10% climb followed by a fast drop down to NE South Beach Rd.

NE South Beach Rd hugs the shoreline with huge waterfront homes overlooking Puget Sound-the views are spectacular! This is where we spot a young bald eagle perched out on the old wooden pier. We spoke with a resident and were told that the eagle is a “regular” on this side of the island, he’s out on the pier every morning-WOW!

NE South Beach Rd continues behind the waterfront homes and comes to an end at the neighborhood traffic circle. The non-vehicular path at the opposite end leads straight into the forest and through Fort Ward Park.

The north end of the path opens onto Pleasant Beach Dr NE with large waterfront estate homes hidden amongst the deep green forests. The road continues into the neighborhood center at Lynwood; this small Tudor-style shopping center has a theatre, a few shops and a market.

We exit Lynwood on Point White Dr NE to the SW tip of the island through the Crystal Springs neighborhood around Point White Dock. It’s a cute area of shoreline with beached wooden boats, fantastic waterfront views, rocky beaches and many Adirondack style chairs just waiting to be used to enjoy the most likely gorgeous sunsets!

The climbs on NE Baker Hill Rd lead inland back towards Lynwood to Lynwwod Center Rd NE. We continue through the woods along Fletcher Bay Rd NE and Miller Rd NE. This part of the island has numerous homes for sale; side by side and across the street!

Battle Point Dr NE takes us pass Battle Point Park; it’s a huge open space park with many different activity areas; from soccer and softball fields to tennis courts and a playground and much, much more!

Arrow Point Rd NE cuts through the dense woods up Miller Rd NE, NE Bergman Rd and Manzanita Rd NE to Manzanita Bay. The shores of this bay has an abundant amount of blackberry bushes with ripe juicy blackberries just waiting to be picked and eaten-and that’s exactly what I did; JUICY, WARM and DELICIOUS!

The next few turns takes up to the NE point of the island on NE Lafayete Ave, pass the Kane Cemetery towards Fay Bainbridge State Park on Sunrise Dr NE. Manitou Beach Rd NE is another shoreline road with gorgeous views of Murden Cove; it leads us up towards Ferncliff Ave NE and Grand Ave NE along the vibrant greens of Wing Point Golf Course. From here we drop down on Ferncliff Ave NE to Winslow Way E back to the ferry terminal.

Bainbridge Island is a beautiful city with affluent homes and communities and yet still maintains a quaint small town feel. The island has quite a few shoreline parks that overlook the gorgeous Puget Sound and the surrounding mountains. If you love rolling hill climbs around miles and miles of quiet country roads with minimal to no traffic, this is the place to go-the road conditions are great too! Come and enjoy this fantastic island community!

Garmin Stats:
43.30 Miles with 3232′ of elevation gain (includes mileage from out and back on the Eliott Bay Trail)
Max elevation: 371′
Max grade: 12%
Terrain: Rolling climbs-Hilly

Posted in Adventure, Bike Blogs, Rides, Rural | Tagged Bainbridge Island, ferries, food, Island, Nature, parks, Puget Sound, Seattle Ferry Terminal, Small Town, Vistas | Comments Off

Adventure: Bike Camping

By Guest Blogger | Published December 21, 2015

State parks can make great bike camping destinations and, with over 140 Washington State Parks, you’re bound to find a suitable destination near you. Today’s post first ran on Adventure Awaits, the official blog for Washington State Parks.

The Adventure

Beach cruiser or BMX, recumbent or mountain bike—few transportation modes bring you closer to the road than the humble bicycle. The whir of wheels on the road or trail, the wind in your hair, the exhilaration of pumping hard up long inclines and whizzing down hills… It’s great exercise and an intimate way to enjoy the open road and country.

It’s also a great way to camp! If you love cycling and have yet to try a two-wheel vacation now is the time! With fall weather in the forecast, it’s a great time to get out on the road while the weather is still mostly cooperative and the cooler temperatures make for a more pleasant ride. Ranked number one most bike-friendly state in the nation 8 years running, Washington is the perfect place to enjoy a long ride. And with lots of open bicycle camping spots, your state parks make great destinations to ride to.

Need some pointers and tips for planning your epic riding vacation? Read on…

The Basics

Plan out your route…

Like all camping, a big part of the fun is deciding where you are going to go. But bike camping requires a bit more planning than the average expedition by car. First, you must have a good sense of your abilities: How far will be able to ride each day? If you’re not doing a loop trip, how you will get back? Then it’s a matter of plotting out a route that’s just right for you!

Do a little research to map out a journey compatible with your abilities and with motor traffic. Will you be taking a quick weekend ride to stay overnight in one park? Are you heading out on a week- (or weeks) long odyssey? Choosing stops with regular and reasonable daily distances will give you a goal and save you the frustration of trying to locate a place to stay when you’re exhausted. Choose several Washington State Parks all within a regular distance of one another — for example, Larrabee, Bay View and Deception Pass for an exhilarating ride on Chuckanut Drive and gorgeous overnight accommodations!

Most Washington State Parks have available campsites known as either “primitive” or “hiker/biker.” More often than not these are not reservable and only available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, since fewer folks choose pedaling over driving, these sites are often available–and at the bargain price of just $12 a night!

Gather your gear

On a bike trip every pound counts. Packing just enough and not too much is an art. What you need will depend on the terrain and the weather. But anywhere you head you will need some essentials. A good tent is a must, along with cooking, first aid and a few minimalist toiletry items. Many bike touring websites will offer handy lists of gear essentials you will need. Travel tip: if you make your journey with a friend it’s not only safer and more fun, but you can share the gear load for a lighter ride.

Of course, this is the Northwest. One absolute essential, especially if you plan to ride in Western Washington, is good rain gear. Make sure you not only have a way to keep yourself dry, but your gear and spare clothing as well!

Like any vehicle, your bike is going to need some TLC before a long trip. Have it tuned up before you set out on the road. Also, always carry tools and a patch kit. For carrying your gear, there are two schools of thought: some people prefer to use panniers, which are simply racks that attach to your rear axle and hold cargo, much like saddlebags on a horse do. Others like to use a trailer, either custom-made or the type that are sometimes used to haul children. For a discussion on the pros and cons of each method, read here.

Trip Planner

Ready to roll? Here’s some great destinations…

Beacon Rock State Park

Well-known as a rock climbing destination, Beacon Rock State Park also has 20 miles of trails to please cyclists at a variety of abilities. Remember, you’ll be sharing the trail with horses! Be sure you are well-versed in the nuances of trail etiquette and how to yield. Make an epic trip of it and stay the night in this stunning park on the banks of the Columbia River.

Columbia Plateau Trail State Park

With 48 miles of biking-ready trails and multiple trail heads, Columbia Plateau Trail State Park is one of Washington’s “it” spots for a major bike trip. Built along the converted bed of the old Spokane, Portland and Seattle rail lines, the trail winds through amazing historic country.

Spokane Centennial Trail State Park

Centennial Trail State Park may be 37 miles long but is flat and paved, making it an easier ride for shorter legs to manage. This is a day use but you can stay the night at nearby Riverside State Park and explore the trail by day.

Grayland Beach State Park

Take along the bikes to this ocean-side state park! While year-round camping near the Pacific Ocean is the primary draw at this 412-acre park, the looping trail through the campsites offers a kid-friendly activity between jaunts out to the beach. Nearby is the lovely and easy-to-ride Dune Trail, starting at the Westport Light State parking lot and continuing all the way to Westhaven State Park. A great day destination, the trail offers stunning views along the way as you roll into Westport for a lunch or dinner out.

Moran State Park

Sweeping roads wind you through the denser trees and across the treasured land that is the San Juan Islands. Moran is a state parks gem and extremely popular destination with lots of camping available especially for hikers and cyclists. With 11 miles of biking trails and incredible views, this is a must for the cycle enthusiast’s bucket list!

Wenatchee Confluence State Park

Wenatchee Confluence State Park is a family adventure hotspot. Green lawns for tag. Ball fields for basketball, baseball, volleyball and soccer. A fantastic playground for toddlers and grade school children. You name it, Wenatchee Confluence has your family covered. And biking is no exception. The park connects to the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail – perfect for family rides. Hop on the Wenatchee-side of the trail for paved biking adventures. The east-side is fun, too, but is more suited for more experienced riders. Adding to the fun is the Rocky Reach Trail, which just opened up at the end of June this year! This five-mile trail connects you to Lincoln Rock State Park!

Iron Horse State Park

Iron Horse State Park is an ultimate biking destination for families with teens. It’s home to the John Wayne Pioneer Trail, a 100-mile-trail that stretches from North Bend to Vantage. Wide tires are a plus on this trail. It’s mostly a two- to three-percent grade gravel surface. The trail winds through old Chicago-Milwaukee-St.Paul-Pacific Railroad tunnels and trestles –you’ll need a lantern or flashlight to explore these tunnels. The trail also has a few campsites along the way for multi-day bike rides. Plan ahead and mark these campground mileposts on your map: Milepost 2109.5 at Roaring Creek, milepost 2113.2 at Cold Creek, milepost 2123.2 at Carter Creek and milepost 2127.1 at Alice Creek. You will need to sign a waiver to travel through tunnels 46 and 47 near Thorp. Find more information here.

Photos courtesy of: MileStoneRides.com (Feature photo, Twin Harbors), Mike Juvrud (Cyclists on the road), Bjorn (Moran bike)

Posted in Adventure, Bike Camping | Tagged Apple Capital Loop Trail, bike camping, Columbia Plateau Trail, Columbia River Gorge, Grayland, John Wayne Trail, Moran State Park, San Juans, Spokane Centennial Trail, WA State Parks, Wenatchee | Comments Off

Riding in the Dark

By Kevin Henderson | Published December 16, 2015

One recent evening, I was closing up my Ortliebs, getting ready to roll my bike out of the office for the trip home, and one of my coworkers walked by and asked, “You ride your bike in the dark?”

I was a little taken aback. While I’m used to people questioning riding in the rain, it never “dawned” on me that riding without sunlight would be perceived as a deterrent. Besides, this time of year, the standard work day is dark at both ends. If you put your bike away to wait for Spring, you’re missing out on some special adventures.

I would like to offer up what I think are the special joys to be found on early morning and evening winter commutes. As is often the case, before you’ve tried it, the actual experience is surprisingly nicer than what one might imagine just looking out the window.

Fortunately, I am old enough to have been of “paper boy” age at a time when young teenagers still had paper routes. While I hated getting up at 4 am seven days a week to fold newspapers, once out on my bike I discovered that the Twilight Zone-like experience of being completely alone in the empty neighborhood streets was awesome. For an hour or so each morning, I had the world all to myself. In those days, if it was raining I’d have a poncho that covered my helmet-less head and draped completely over my paper bags and the upper parts of my bike. Whether wet or dry weather, it was a serene cruise though a dark, empty world from my secret vantage point. In those days, I often had something from the Top 40 mentally playing in my head. Especially for foggy mornings, one of my favorites was The Doors’ “Riders on the Storm.”

Today, as a (somewhat) older guy on my winter commutes, I am often reminded of those days. There is something about the darkness that feels comforting, like a blanket. It’s easier to see motorists coming, even from behind if you pay attention to how your own shadow moves. There’s also something about less visual stimuli that makes the sounds seem clearer. I feel a sort of crystal awareness that isn’t there in daylight. It’s also much easier to make yourself visible. Besides head and tail lights on the bike, I like them on my helmet as well, and there are many options for inexpensive little lights and reflectors that can increase your all-around conspicuity.

If riding in the dark is a new thing for you, here are a couple things to be cautious about: if your route takes you on streets or paths without street lighting, make sure you have a headlamp that actually lights up the pavement in front of you, and manage your speed so potholes and debris can be easily avoided. Just as in daytime, make sure your lane position keeps you visible to others. If you’re first in line at an intersection, keep in mind that oncoming traffic may lose you in the sea of headlights in back of you, so be wary of turning traffic as you proceed on the green.

Otherwise, look for the things you rarely notice from inside a car or bus. The full moon, the scents of dinners cooking, raccoons, and of course your fellow riders, in on your secret.

Posted in Commuting, Safety | Tagged bike commute, bike ride, encouragement, night riding, traffic safety | Comments Off

Jefferson County to Study SR-20 Bypass Route for Olympic Discovery Trail

By Louise McGrody | Published December 15, 2015

Talk to any bicyclist who has traveled the Olympic Discovery Trail route between Port Townsend and US Hwy 101, and you’ll hear shivering tales about the 6-mile segment that follows SR 20. Sharing the winding, narrow two-lane highway with logging trucks, RVs and other vehicles can render even the most seasoned cyclist weak in the knees.

We were pleased to learn that, in November, the Jefferson County Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize a feasibility study to establish the route for the ODT-Eaglemount Trail. This segment will connect Port Townsend’s Larry Scott Memorial Trail via Discovery Road to Hwy 101 at the head of Discovery Bay, making it possible for trail users to bypass SR 20. The authorization was performed by way of adding the study project to the County’s Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP).

From the Peninsula Trails Coalition:

Route options for ODT-Eaglemount Trail.

The Olympic Discovery Trail will ultimately be a 126 mile multipurpose non-motorized trail running from Port Townsend to the Pacific, via Discovery Bay Village, Gardiner, Blyn, Sequim and Port Angeles. About 70 miles of the ODT have been built, and another large section on the north side of Lake Crescent is nearing completion. The six-mile Eaglemount section is the longest section of the trail that has not yet been planned – largely because of daunting topographical challenges.

In September Sergeant John Ryan of the Washington State Patrol, Port Angeles Detachment, wrote to Jefferson County: “My troopers regularly patrol SR 20 often observing cars, logging trucks, loaded chip trucks, motorhomes, trucks with trailers, etc, trying to navigate SR20 over Eaglemount while dealing with bicyclers and hikers and oncoming traffic. I myself was assigned to Jefferson County from 1999 to 2003 and patrolled SR 20 often so I know firsthand how dangerous it is. For the safety of everyone—both motorists and non-motorists—we encourage inclusion of a feasibility study of a recreational trail alternative in the County’s TIP.”

The Olympic Discovery Trail shares the Eaglemount route section of the trail with the federal Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail – the newest part of the National Scenic Trails network. The PNNST was established in 2009 as a result of legislation sponsored by Representative Norm Dicks and Senator Maria Cantwell. Former Representative Dicks, now in private practice, has been working with state and federal officials, including U.S. Representative Dale Kilmer, State Representative Steve Tharinger, the Washington State Department of Transportation and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources to support Jefferson County in planning, and ultimately building, the trail. “PNT hikers, bicyclists, mobility impaired persons, bike-touring groups, and motorists will all be safer, healthier and happier with a trail bypassing SR-20. And a completed world-class ODT should be great for the economy,” Dicks said.

Jeff Selby, vice-president of the Peninsula Trails Coalition, says that the next step is to fund the study, which his organization hopes to accomplish soon, with the object of completing the study within the next four months so that grant funding for construction of first section(s) of the trail can perhaps be applied for in May, 2016. “The schedule is tight, but now that this crucial first step has been taken by Commissioners Johnson, Kler and Sullivan we can move ahead – after working toward this for 25 years,” Selby said. “Everyone should thank the Commissioners, the County Administrator, and the County’s Public Works Department for what they have done.”

For more information about the Olympic Discovery Trail, visit olympicdiscoverytrail.com.

Posted in News, Trails | Tagged Jefferson County, Larry Scott Memorial Trail, Olympic Discovery Trail, Port Townsend, trails | Comments Off

Lake Sammamish Bike Ride

By Guest Blogger | Published December 11, 2015

It’s another sunny day in Washington! We’re meeting up our friend Ken at Marymoor Park in Redmond; he’s going to lead us on a ride along Lake Sammamish to Issaquah and back. We also have the pleasure of being able to ride with our Washington host, Soheil.

Marymoor Park is huge; 640 acres with multiple soccer and baseball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, cricket field, a climbing wall, a velodrome, a playground, a reflexology path, off leash dog area, trails and much, much more-it’s an amazing place! There’s an activity are for everyone!

We head south on West Lake Sammamish Parkway NE, the flat terrain on road runs along the west side of the lake and the northeast neighborhoods of Bellevue. The views of the lake are obstructed by tall evergreens and grand residential homes although I can occasionally catch a glimpse of it between the houses and trees.

Seven miles out on this road, we see a detour sign for all the construction work ahead of us, so we follow the sign pointing to SE 34th Street. It’s a steep hill with 7-13% grades! At the top of the climb, we find out from other cyclists that bicycles can pass through the construction zone with no problem. Extra kudos to everyone for increased heart rates and unexpected elevation gains! We turn around and descend back to West Lake Sammamish Road.

We cross under WA-90 on Lakemont Boulevard SE to Newport Way NW; this road runs parallel along the highway through several large apartment/condominium/townhouse communities in Sammamish. It goes east and becomes Maple Street NW to Gilman Boulevard, which takes us into the city of Issaquah through the busy downtown area. The shopping centers have the standard box stores, chain restaurants, businesses and fast food places.

Ken leads us onto the longest climb of this route on SE Issaquah-Fall City Rd, it’s one mile with an average grade of 6.2%. The road runs along the ridge up towards the SE side of the Klahanie suburban neighborhoods and continues on SE Duthie Hill Road to WA-202/SE Redmond-Fall City Road.

We head north on SE Redmonds-Fall City Road through the outer rural area of Sammamish with many farms, ranches and a nursery. Of course, I’ve noticed that every rural area anywhere must have a Retreat Center of some sort, hidden in the woods, where else can people go to kick their addictions or get their minds in order or to seek peace? A long stretch of this road roughly follows Patterson Creek up to NE Sammamish. A little factoid — Sammamish was ranked 15th in CNN Money’s 2011 best places to live in the U.S. and came in 1st place in Forbes 2012 list of Friendliest Towns in the U.S. — who knew!

We stay on SE Redmonds -City Falls Road for 10 flat miles on great pavement and wide shoulders. The turn onto E Lake Sammamish Parkway NE takes us back to NE Marymoor Way and into the park.

Soheil leads us to the Marymoor Velodrome and we all take a few spins around the track. I got reprimanded by another cyclist on the track; “Slower riders need to stay above the blue line!” My bad for getting in the way of faster people — so sorry! It was actually kind of fun going round and round in circles. Best thing is that there are no fees for using the velodrome — fantastic!

A big “THANKS” to Ken for leading us on this ride and to Soheil for showing us the Velodrome. I would’ve never ever been able to try it otherwise, for free at that!

Our post-ride lunch was at Joi’s Seafood Restaurant in Bellevue. This place was recommended to us by Joe Sing, our waterfront tour guide. The Dim-Sum, noodles and vegetables was delicious and very satisfying — thanks, Joe!

We had a chance to walk off the lunch by attending the downtown Bellevue 6th Street Fair. There were lots of arts and crafts items, live music and food stalls. This fair had the most paintings and photographs vendors ever; mostly with scenes of Mt Rainier and bald eagles.

It was a fun-filled day of cycling, eating and just schlepping around with no time constraints! What’s not to like about that?

Garmin Stats:
32.50 Miles with 1621′ of elevation gain
Max elevation: 507′
Max grade: 11%
Terrain: flat, rolling hills with one long climb

Guest blogger Nancy Yu writes about her bike travels at Ride Chronicles. We’re running a series of posts from a past trip to Washington. She says, “I loved cycling around Washington. It’s a beautiful state with a wonderful network of trails and bike-friendly people. I ride to explore and love sharing my findings! I hope the write-ups and pictures will inspire those who can to get out there and enjoy the natural beauty of all that is available to us.”

Posted in Adventure, Bike Blogs, Bike Camping, Bike Culture, Guest Blogger, Northwest WA, Tourism, Travel | Tagged Bellevue, bike tourism, Issaquah, Marymoor Park, Redmond, Sammamish, Street Fair, Velodrome | Comments Off