THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE FOR CASCADE MEMBERS
OCTOBER 2017
9.75 in.
7.25 in.
WE’RE FOR EVERY BODY
kp.org/hellowashington ©2017 Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington.
PEDAL PIC WELCOME TO
COLORFUL TIMES AT RSVP Cascade staff Brent Tongco captured the behind-the-scenes look at RSVP. Volunteers sorted thousands of bags by color at the Vancouver, BC finish. Color coordination made it easier for riders to find their bags at the end of the epic two-day ride.
Submit a photo for consideration in a future issue by sending a high-resolution image and short caption to brentt@cascade.org.
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LETTER FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Hello, Cascadians! I’d like to officially introduce myself to Cascade members in this issue of Pedal Washington. Like many of you, I was first introduced to Cascade through its major riding events after setting a goal to complete the STP, when my longest ride had been 25 miles. Having easy access to the Cascade Training Series, Free Group Rides, Fix-a-Flat and the wonderful volunteers encouraging and mentoring me was instrumental to making it to Portland in one day. Now the annual traditions from Chilly Hilly to Kitsap Color Classic—and everything in between—are essential parts of my riding calendar. As I got more involved, I discovered that Cascade is so much more! This organization is a leader in bicycle education and policy. There is so much work to ensure bicycling is a safe and convenient choice for everyone across the state of Washington, whether it's to get to work, for play, to exercise or all the many other reasons people bike. I wanted to be part of Cascade because it strives to serve all types of bicycling and support all types of riders. The staff at Cascade are dedicated to the mission, and incredibly good at what they do, and I am looking forward to working with them and making Cascade a great place to work. In addition, nonprofits are undergoing a tremendous transformation, and to attract the best people and resources we have to evolve and compete. This is something I am used to in my 20+ years in the tech industry, and I am looking forward to this challenge. I’m eager to work with staff, board and you, the members, as we forge onward with Cascade’s mission of improving lives through bicycling. As I share my story and listen to others, I reflect often on how natural it was to ride a bike as a kid, whether it was access to a bike or less busy streets that felt safer. Today there are too many obstacles to biking, so kids don't get that sense of independence, ability to explore their environment and healthy exercise. Many of our communities don’t have access to bikes, safe places to bike or the education and training necessary to help people of all ages feel confident biking through their neighborhoods. Finishing STP in 2015, exhausted, but happy.
I am proud to be part of an organization that is striving to eliminate obstacles to bicycling for all of our diverse communities. Leveraging my experience as the executive sponsor of my former division’s Diversity & Inclusion efforts at Microsoft, I understand the importance of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and recognize the need to overcome our inherent unconscious biases, truly striving for our vision of bicycling for all. I’m energized by what Cascade has accomplished in recent years, from the growth of the Major Taylor Project to the creation of the instant-classic, urban-centric Emerald Bike Ride; from the expansion of our Let’s Go education program to the construction of better bicycling infrastructure on the ground. There is just so much Cascade does, and I feel honored to be here. Looking forward to getting to know you, Richard Smith Executive Director
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Letter from Executive Director
4
On the Road: New Guidebook Charts Coastal Charms
7
Bringing Trails to Life
11
That's a Wrap: 2017 Major Rides
18
Where Are They Now: ALI Alumni
25
Why Did You Join Cascade?
28
Bikes Build Community: Free Group Rides
30
Pumping Joy into a Community: Leavenworth Pump Track 32 Where We Rode This Summer
34
Biking off the ferry during the 2017 Kitsap Color Classic. Photo by Ryan Georgi.
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GUEST CONTRIBUTORS HIGHLIGHT
Bill Thorness has been a Cascade ride leader for 10 years. A freelance writer, he authored Biking Puget Sound, which came out in 2007 and was expanded in its second edition in 2014. He’s just finished three years of research and writing to produce his new guidebook Cycling the Pacific Coast. He loves leading rides in the Snoqualmie Valley farmland, and his current favorite coastal ride is the central section of the Oregon coast, Cape Foulweather to Hecata Head.
FRONT COVER
Traveling to Canada during RSVP 2017. Photo by Ryan Georgi. BACK COVER
Major Taylor Project students and volunteers goofing around during Ride for Major Taylor 2017. Photo by Briana Orr.
THE PEDAL WASHINGTON TEAM Editor-in-Chief Brent Tongco Editor Diana Bryant Layout Tom Eibling Photographers Ryan Georgi, Bill Thorness, Milk Skin Photography, Cascade Staff Staff Contributors Diana Bryant, Tom Eibling, Vicky Clarke, Alex Comeau, Charlie Hockett, Meghna Jaradi, Kelsey Mesher, Stacey Nakagawa, Deric Nova, Kelli Refer, Ariana Rundquist, Richard Smith, Rebecca Sorensen, Julia Swanson, Anna Telensky, Brent Tongco, Stacey Williams, Ryan Young ADVERTISING To inquire about advertising availability in Pedal Washington, email Diana at dianab@cascade.org. We also advertise in our enewsletter Braking News, which goes out once every two weeks; email Diana for more information. WE WELCOME YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS! We welcome your submissions for Cascade’s blog and Pedal Washington. Editorial calendar planning begins three months in advance and is finalized two months in advance of each quarterly issue. If you wish to submit your article or photography for consideration, contact the editor as early as possible. All submissions are subject to editing for content and space. Submit your articles or photography to comms@cascade.org.
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CONTACT US C A S C A D E B I C YC L E C LU B 7787 62nd Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98115 206-522-3222 • info@cascade.org
NEW GUIDEBOOK CHARTS COASTAL CHARMS, INCLUDING SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON Bill Thorness, Contributing Writer
Beach grasses grow thickly along the Discovery Trail on the Long Beach Peninsula. Just beyond the paved trail is the wide ocean beach.
The smooth ribbon of asphalt disappears in a sea of waist-high beach grass, marked only by trailheads emblazoned with archways bearing the date 1805. Set your wheels on the six-mile-long Trail of Discovery and feel yourself floating along the undulating beach breeze. If that sounds like an ideal cycling vacation destination, plan to pack your panniers next summer for a trip to southwest Washington. Get your bike loaded for camping, and use ferry, bus and rail to quicken the trip. It’s an achievable adventure cycling outing, and part of the popular Pacific Coast bike route. PEDAL | 7
Washington: ferry to Bremerton or Amtrak to Centralia. From either transit point, cycle to tiny Elma, where a lush lawn for your tent awaits at the Elma RV Park. Bremerton to Elma is a pretty long ride, so you might make your first overnight at Belfair State Park, which has an inexpensive hiker-biker camp. If you’re a veteran long-hauler or you break the day at Belfair, you can also travel a few miles beyond Elma to the hikerbiker camp at Lake Sylvia State Park. (See the accompanying mileage chart for distances.) Getting to that relaxing Long Beach Peninsula trail is as much about the journey as the destination. In this case, it’s three to five days of cycling fun, plus beach days. In my new book Cycling the Pacific Coast: The Complete Guide, Canada to Mexico, you get turn-by-turn guidance, maps and insights for this section and the entire 1,900-mile route, plus a dozen side-trip explorations. Released this month by Mountaineers Books, it replaces the long-lived Bicycling the Pacific Coast. Briefly, I’ll recap my suggested route to Long Beach, with one caveat: it does not take you around the Olympic Peninsula. I’ve featured that ride as an alternate route in the book, but my preferred route heads southwest from the southern tip of Hood Canal. Two choices get you into rural southwest
Strike out west from Elma along the quiet old highway to Montesano, then jump on the not-quiet Highway 101 to Raymond. If you’re energetic, take a detour to Aberdeen and see Kurt Cobain Park on the grungy banks of the Wishkah River. Steel silhouette sculptures enliven the logging town of Raymond, which also hosts the west end of the developing Willapa Hills Trail. Tonight’s campground is just beyond at Bruceport County Park, on a wooded hillside above Willapa Bay. Explore the bay on the long, open road of 101 on your ride into Long Beach the next day. It’s light on services but heavy on scenery and wildlife. And the road has a consistent, painted shoulder for safe cycling. Long Beach and its neighboring towns deliver a classic ocean-beach holiday. They also offer plenty of motel and B&B choices, or you can hit
Top left: A whimsical dragonfly and quote from poet e.e. cummings grace a picnic table on the grounds of the Willapa Bay Visitors Center, open on summer weekends along Highway 101. Bottom left: The four-mile-long AstoriaMegler Bridge comes into view from Highway 101 in southwest Washington. Top right: The North Head Lighthouse is one of two in Cape Disappointment State Park at the southwest tip of Washington state. The lighthouse is being restored to its original 1898 look.
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the hiker-biker camp at Cape Disappointment State Park, near the southern tip of the peninsula. This is the northernmost point of exploration for Lewis and Clark’s 1805 Voyage of Discovery, hence the trail name and the excellent interpretive center in the park. You might be tempted to retrace your route, but here’s another idea: cycle a few more miles into Astoria, Oregon and pick up bus service to Portland, and from there, Amtrak Cascades to Seattle. It’s a short ride into Astoria, and you get to tackle the four-mile-long Astoria-Megler Bridge across the wide mouth of the Columbia River. Plan to chart your own trail of discovery through southwest Washington next summer. And if you’re really ambitious and have a couple of months free, try the entire Pacific Coast route. There’s a brand new book out there to help guide your way. Bill Thorness is the author of five books, including Biking Puget Sound, also from Mountaineers Books. He is a ride leader with Cascade. See his presentation on Cycling the Pacific Coast at the University Bookstore in Seattle on Nov. 7, 7 p.m. Cycling the Pacific Coast is available at local bookstores, on Amazon.com or at Mountaineersbooks.org.
MILEAGE CHART: SEATTLE TO ASTORIA BY BIKE ROUTE SEGMENT
BREMERTON TO ELMA OR
MILES (AFTER FERRY TO BREMERTON)
BREMERTON TO BELFAIR STATE PARK / BELFAIR TO ELMA
78 23 + 55
CENTRALIA TO ELMA (AFTER AMTRAK TO CENTRALIA)
57
ELMA TO LAKE SYLVIA STATE PARK
12
ELMA TO BRUCEPORT
48
ABERDEEN GRUNGE DETOUR
+20
BRUCEPORT TO CAPE DISAPPOINTMENT STATE PARK
45
CAPE DISAPPOINTMENT STATE PARK TO ASTORIA
20
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BRINGING TRAILS TO LIFE Vicky Clarke, East King County Policy Manager
Riding along the Burke-Gilman Trail, it’s tempting to try imagining a century back, when freight trains, not people, would have wound down this path. Today’s “daily cargo” is thousands of people on bikes and on foot, all using this simple, safe, connected path for fun and functional rides. The trail’s so ingrained in how Seattleites get around to parks, universities and jobs that it’s hard to believe that once abandoned rails sat overgrown and wanting.
CONNECTING NEIGHBORHOODS AND NATURE
Today, Cascade’s policy team is working to expand the networks of trails throughout the Puget Sound region and Washington state, forging new and exciting connections like the Eastside Rail Corridor. Even for trails that opened long ago, like the Burke-Gilman and East Lake Sammamish trails, Cascade is working through pressing issues, like completing missing trail links. Thanks in part to Cascade’s long-term advocacy, another mile of the East Lake Sammamish Trail will open in fall 2017.
WHY TRAILS MATTER Trails that knit together form connected networks, from neighborhood to nature. They help us get to places we want to go, whether that’s commuting to work, taking a weekend ride with friends, or journeying on an extended tour to explore a new place. Importantly, trails are safe for users of all ages and abilities because they are separated from vehicle traffic. That’s why Cascade’s policy team advocates for completed trail networks. It’s simple: trails empower kids, new riders, families and everyone else who’d rather not compete with traffic to get on a bike and play.
Yet, for all the love we have for trails, they don’t spring from rail-to-trail or from dust and dirt overnight. Matt Cohen, a Seattle attorney who represents local governments and nonprofits seeking to develop trails on old rail lines, says that trail projects can be controversial—until the day the trail opens. Once people start using the trail, however, it becomes a different story. Neighbors quickly realize that nearby trails are community assets, bringing health, recreational and property value benefits for adjacent residents.
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BRINGING NEW TRAILS TO LIFE THE EASTSIDE RAIL CORRIDOR STORY
A NEW LIFE FOR THE ICONIC WILBURTON TRESTLE
Today, east of Lake Washington near I-405, unused rails sit overgrown and wanting. The Eastside Rail Corridor (ERC) is a 42-mile abandoned rail corridor that once took goods to and from five of East King County’s cities— Woodinville, Kirkland, Redmond, Bellevue and Renton—and north to Snohomish County. Most recently the rails played host to a much-loved Renton-toWoodinville dinner train. In the late 2000s the dinner train served its last meal, and the corridor was purchased by public agencies soon after. King County put a trail on the menu, but no timeframe in which it would be served.
All along the old ERC, rails crossed roads, highways and ravines. The Wilburton Trestle is the biggest and most iconic of those crossings, and it’s been the focus of our fundraising efforts this last year. A thousand feet long and a hundred feet high, the Wilburton Trestle is the biggest railroad trestle in the Pacific Northwest. With $7.5 million in public and private funding secured to date, the plan is to retrofit the trestle’s wooden beams and place a trail atop. Crossing the trestle was a high point of the old dinner train experience, and it’s set to be a high point, in more ways than one, for people walking and biking the ERC trail in 2020.
A decade went by and East King County residents and visitors remained hungry for safe places to bike. From the promise to convert the ERC into a multi-use trail, all that had sprouted on the corridor was blackberries, growing just as fast as congestion on nearby highways. In early 2016 Cascade formed the Eastside Greenway Alliance, alongside several regional and national nonprofits, with a joint commitment to advance the promise and the vision for an end-to-end trail within the ERC right of way. Cascade put the ERC trail at the center of our regional trails and East King County advocacy program in order to build forward momentum—and we’ve done just that. The last 18 months has seen tangible progress towards the Eastside Greenway Alliance’s goal of a connected trail from Kirkland to Renton by 2020.
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Last November, a small group gathered under the Wilburton Trestle in south Bellevue, craning their necks to take in the view. From below, the trestle's giant wooden beams create magnificent criss-cross patterns, collectively holding up the structure. Among the group were Governor Jay Inslee, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Bellevue Mayor John Stokes and County Councilmember (and before that, Bellevue Councilmember) Claudia Balducci. Standing together in the shadow of the trestle, each committed funding towards the Wilburton Trestle, recognizing that collectively the group held the key to transforming it into a cornerstone of the future ERC. Standing alongside them that day was Cascade Bicycle Club, speaking on behalf of the Eastside Greenway Alliance and future users of the trail, urging that people need and want this trail and this vision realized.
A FUTURE VISION NEEDS A FORWARD LOOKING NAME
MILES TO EXPLORE THIS YEAR, WITH A BIGGER VISION ON THE WAY
Maintaining momentum for the ERC trail will be a yearslong project. In addition to advocating funding and smart trail design, the Eastside Greenway Alliance is committed to keeping the vision of the end-to-end trail alive. Earlier this year, months of advocacy paid off when trail owners agreed to collectively rename the ERC. Recognizing that the current name speaks more to past use than what is envisioned for the future, during 2018, a new name and visual identity will bring a new lease of life to the corridor, including the trail with input from the people who’ll be using it.
While biking between Kirkland and Renton, via Bellevue, on the ERC is a few years out, several miles of the trail will open this year. Thanks in part to community voices articulating the importance of a trail, five miles of the rails will be removed this fall to make way for an interim gravel trail in two separate parts of the corridor: a mile between Kirkland and Bellevue, and four miles of the Washington Loop Trail between Gene Coulon and Newcastle Beach parks. Each small segment of the ERC will be meaningful in different ways to neighborhoods and groups, whose rhythms and routines will be improved, whether it’s riding the Lake Washington Loop on more trail and less road, or teaching kids to ride on a quiet stretch of trail. But perhaps what’s most compelling is the grand vision of the ERC, which is to connect the trail in King County to its twin in Snohomish County. Known as the Centennial Trail South, Snohomish County is developing their segment of the ERC to tie into its Centennial Trail, a 30-mile rail trail that currently terminates in Arlington but could one day connect to Vancouver, BC. Jean White, Regional Trails Program Manager for King County Parks, sees Cascade Bicycle Club as a critical partner for trails— advocating for safe design, supporting funding and educating trail users—and depending on Cascade to help build an accessible and interconnected regional trails network.
Left: November 2016, government, business and Cascade leaders gathered under the Wilburton Trestle to affirm their commitment towards building a trail atop the trestle by 2020.
Right: By 2020, the Wilburton Trestle will be a memorable stop and iconic destination along the Eastside Rail Corridor trail.
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IT’S NOT COMPLETE UNTIL IT’S CONNECTED Missing links are where the networks fall apart. But like any good friend, Cascade sticks with trails through to the end. Two trail projects in particular, on either end of the 44-mile Locks to Lakes Corridor, are legacy projects for Cascade. We’re committed to filling these missing links because without them the broader vision can’t be realized. The Locks to Lakes runs from the Ballard Locks in Seattle to Issaquah and the foothills of the Cascades, along a route that takes in the Burke-Gilman, Sammamish River and East Lake Sammamish trails. THE EAST LAKE SAMMAMISH TRAIL The East Lake Sammamish Trail is two decades in the making—and counting. Once completed, it will connect Redmond to Issaquah via Sammamish. A legacy project, Cascade has advocated for many years that this rail-trail be completed to regional trail standards, so that it’s safe for people of all ages and abilities to walk and wheel on, whether by bike, foot, wheelchair or skateboard. Delays, largely due to an onslaught of lawsuits, have plagued progress. Yet slowly but surely— and thanks to sustained advocacy on the part of Cascade’s policy team, members and supporters—the trail has moved forward. Most of the trail is now built to the same safe and accommodating standards of the rest of King County trails. And at every step, including permit reviews, public hearings and ribbon cuttings, Cascade and other trail supporters have danced to the same drum beat: we can’t wait for this trail. This August the latest court ruling, for which Cascade testified to the importance of the trail for people on bikes, cleared the way for construction to move forward— meaning that another mile of the East Lake Sammamish Trail will open before year end, narrowing the length of the missing link. 14 | PEDAL
Above: Plans are afoot to connect the Redmond Central Connector (pictured) to the East Lake Sammamish Trail, thus expanding the reach of the network. Left: Completing the 11-mile East Lake Sammamish Trail to regional trail standards is a legacy project of Cascade Bicycle Club (image courtesy of King County Parks).
SEATTLE’S “MISSING LINK” In Seattle, the “Missing Link” has become synonymous with a trail segment at the other end of the Locks to Lakes Corridor: the BurkeGilman’s Missing Link, located in Ballard. It has a history almost as long and litigious as the East Lake Sammamish Trail. Earlier this year though, Cascade helped write a new and more optimistic chapter in the Missing Link’s history: this February, the City of Seattle, Cascade, trail users and many (but not all) Ballard maritime and industrial businesses announced an initial agreement on a final route of trail that would finally connect the currently isolated segment of trail between Ballard Locks and Golden Gardens,
to where the Burke-Gilman abruptly drops people on bikes into the Ballard street network. With an appeal of some of the last environmental permitting underway with a smaller portion of stakeholders, we’d be naive to believe the agreement is the final chapter of the Missing Link’s story—nor the last part Cascade will need to play to make sure we can turn the page on the story of the Burke-Gilman Trail’s Missing Link. But while the missing links of trail projects are stories that are destined to repeat, there’s much the trail network has accomplished.
The plan to complete the Burke-Gilman Missing Link is moving forward.
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A VISION TO GET BEHIND
Left: Today, old railroad tracks remain in much of the Eastside Rail Corridor. Cascade is advocating that public owners advance construction of a walking and biking trail. Right: Kirkland is developing its segment of the Eastside Rail Corridor as the Cross Kirkland Corridor. This segment through the Google campus is a window into how much of the corridor could one day look.
The promise of a new future came storming in with the original railroad age. It left our region with a fruitful legacy of relatively flat, miles-long potentially connected spaces, which communities are gradually repurposing into a mighty network of walking and biking trails. Now, a different promise and a new future is coming. One where the trails map looks a lot like the transit map. And whether your destination is a certain place at a certain time, or just few hours (or days) outdoors on a bike, the trail network will carry you there.
WE CAN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOU Whether working to keep our communities informed and engaged; advocating for new funding, policies and laws that protect and expand safe places to bike; or collecting data to demonstrate the importance of trail and on-street bike networks, Cascade puts your support to good use. Please support our work in building a safe, simple and connected Washington by giving to cascade.org/givesafestreets.
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PEDAL | 17
THAT’S A WRAP
Compiled by Cascade Events Team
Another year of event riding season is officially under our belts, but we’re already planning for a great 2018 season. Check out our recap of this year’s rides, and get a sneak-peek at what’s to come next year. Keep your eyes open for some early registration openings this November, just in time for the holiday season.
CHILLY HILLY 45th Annual
2017 RIDER COUNT 2,692 2017 HIGHLIGHT Despite being the wettest Chilly Hilly most riders can remember, more than 2,500 folks boarded the ferry and kicked off the road cycling event season with 33 wet and beautiful miles. Much appreciation to the volunteer safety crews who braved the rain to keep riders safe at every turn.
RIDER FAVORITES
“Good crowd, fowl weather, lots of hills, hot chili!”
2018 DATE February 25 2018 MEMBER REGISTRATION OPENS E A RLY REG ISTRATIO N November 27! Early bird registration gets you free packet mailing! AROUND THE BEND IN 2018 Same time, same place, never the same temperature or conditions. Celebrate the coming of spring and (sometimes) drier days, while enjoying the Puget Sound’s unique ferry and weather systems.
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“Climbing Baker Hill and the midpoint break. The food and smiling faces and music was so rewarding. Gets better every year.”
VALLEY RIVER RIDE Inaugural
2017 RIDER COUNT 873 2017 HIGHLIGHT The inaugural Valley River Ride was a huge success, highlighting the trails and quiet back roads of south King County. Many riders met the challenge of the 50 and 60 mile routes, climbing in and out of scenic valleys, while other riders enjoyed the easy going and flat 35 mile route. 2018 DATE TBD AROUND THE BEND IN 2018 Explore new areas with an improved route. More details to come!
RIDER FAVORITES
“I'm not a competitive long distance rider, so the 35 miles felt like a great accomplishment! The weather was perfect and the spring blooms were fun to see.” “Riding through the beautiful farmlands. The section along the river was amazing.”
RIDER FAVORITES
RIDE FOR MAJOR TAYLOR 3rd Annual
2017 RIDER COUNT 302 2017 HIGHLIGHT The Ride for Major Taylor brought together youth, ride leaders and supporters for the 3rd annual riding event. Riders explored the communities of the schools we serve and enjoyed treats and lunch from local businesses. Huge thanks to all of the participants who raised over $7,000 for the Major Taylor Project. 2018 DATE TBD AROUND THE BEND IN 2018 Keep supporting the Major Taylor Project throughout the year, and look for exciting new additions to this event in 2018!
“Supporting MTP, getting to meet some of the students, and getting encouragement to ride in areas where I haven't ridden before.” “Seeing the kids out there and seeing Cascade friends. Such a nice, outgoing group of genuinely caring people who value the experience of MTP.”
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RIDER FAVORITES
“Festive stops at the breweries and, of course, a bike course that I've never biked before! Loved the glasses and souvenirs!” “I enjoyed riding on the great route where we didn't have to dodge lots of traffic or people. I also enjoyed both the stops at the breweries.”
BIKE N BREWS 5th Annual 2017 RIDER COUNT 826 2017 HIGHLIGHT We were excited to partner with Georgetown Brewing Company and Odin Brewing Company for our 5th annual Bike N Brews —both new breweries for this event. Riders enjoyed easy riding along the Green River and Interurban Trails for this fun event celebrating the best in Northwest brews by bike. 2018 DATE May 6 AROUND THE BEND IN 2018 Always an early season favorite —come join us in 2018!
EMERALD BIKE RIDE
RIDER FAVORITES
2nd Annual 2017 RIDER COUNT 6,915 2017 HIGHLIGHT Once-in-a-lifetime route including the SR 520 bridge, I-5 Express Lanes and the I-90 Express Lanes, all three closed to vehicle traffic.
“Great to see people of all ages/abilities out on the ride, enjoying the wonderful views and car-free roads."
2018 DATE TBD AROUND THE BEND IN 2018 We’re working hard with hopes of creating yet another outstanding riding opportunity in 2018. Stay tuned!
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“What a bike utopia would look like! "
FLYING WHEELS
RIDER FAVORITES
24th Annual 2017 RIDER COUNT 2,245 2017 HIGHLIGHT The route took riders back into Snohomish County, adding several new hills to climb, miles of beautiful rural riding, and rest stops stocked with treats from local bakeries. 2018 DATE June 2 AROUND THE BEND IN 2018 Look for a route that combines the best of the 2016 and 2017 events!
"I loved the challenging terrain and beautiful scenery."
"Probably the best century I've done, ever."
RIDER FAVORITES
“Being able to enjoy a fun event with my wife. We like to bike and we like wine, so we had a great time!”
“I loved the chance to sample some wines (and cider) I wasn't aware of and talk to some great local businesses. I plan on visiting again on my own.”
WOODINVILLE WINE RIDE 3rd Annual 2017 RIDER COUNT 903 2017 HIGHLIGHT The route brought in new vineyards in the Warehouse District of Woodinville, with the added feature of complimentary wine shuttling from each winery. Off the Branch Farms was also a new partner, offering fresh pressed cider and other farm treats. 2018 DATE TBD AROUND THE BEND IN 201 Expect the same great riding through the Woodinville Wine Country, with the opportunity to taste new wines.
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SEATTLE NIGHT RIDE 3rd Annual 2017 RIDER COUNT 702 2017 HIGHLIGHT Scenic mini stops at South Lake Union Park and the Fisherman’s Terminal were new this year. Riders came with bikes a-glow in fun costumes and colored lights.
RIDER FAVORITES
“I loved riding through Seattle at night; seeing the city in a way I don't usually see it; two bridges, flashy glow lights, live music was fun, and great that there were three pit stops. The ride was very accessible to our two boys (9 and 11). Their longest ride yet!"
2018 DATE TBD AROUND THE BEND IN 2018 The same fun ride awaits with new stops along the way.
KAISER PERMANENTE
SEATTLE TO PORTLAND
PRESENTED BY ALASKA AIRLINES 38th Annual 2017 RIDER COUNT 8,209 2017 HIGHLIGHT The best STP weather that most anyone can remember! Not too hot, not too cold, no rain and the winds blowing south. We can’t forget the first-ever STP grant was gifted to the City of Yelm! 2018 MEMBER REGISTRATION OPENS January 15 2018 DATE July 14-15 AROUND THE BEND IN 2018 Look for more homemade foods, chickpea salads, chicken salads, and other “real food” offerings to grow. Combination pricing for Cascade Training Series and Flying Wheels. Get in your best riding shape yet in 2018! Look for social events connecting registered riders prior to STP. 22 | PEDAL
RIDER FAVORITES
“The camaraderie of so many strangers, of all ability levels, tackling the challenge together and having so much fun while doing it.”
“Completing this event with my 15 year old and my best friend and his son on a pair of tandems. Building awesome memories for a lifetime.”
RIDE AROUND WASHINGTON (RAW) 19th Annual 2017 RIDER COUNT 250 2017 HIGHLIGHT The route was a challenge, along with the smoky conditions and heat, but 250 riders completed the tour beginning in Metaline Falls and ending in La Conner. Riders tackled three mountain passes, taking in gorgeous views and quiet country roads on this 7-day, fully supported tour. 2017 also wrapped up the “RAW Cycle” completing the 4-year journey to circumnavigate the state. 2018 DATE July 29 — August 3 2018 MEMBER REGISTRATION OPENS November 27
E A RLY REG ISTRATIO N
AROUND THE BEND IN 2018 The route is yet to be finalized, but expect the return of a RAW favorite!
RIDER FAVORITES
“RAW has taken me to places and onto roads in Washington that I would have otherwise never experienced. I feel I know my state so much more intimately because of RAW. I love the camaraderie of RAW riders and the complete sense of community.”
RIDE FROM SEATTLE TO VANCOUVER, BC & PARTY (RSVP)
36th Annual 2017 RIDER COUNT 2,300 2017 HIGHLIGHT After six years of running two separate events, we returned to the original format of just one single event. We raised the level of support on route and had a beautiful celebration on the waterfront in the center of downtown Vancouver, BC. We joined an 11-mile closed streets event in downtown to put a cherry on top of an already epic adventure. 2018 MEMBER REGISTRATION OPENS January 22
RIDER FAVORITES
“Beautiful spot for the new finish line."
2018 DATE TBD AROUND THE BEND IN 2018 Look for more changes and new local partnerships to cultivate more fun and adventure on this classic Cascade event. We will not be growing the number of participants on this event, so do not miss the January registration open for members!
“Getting to ride through Vancouver was awesome!”
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RIDER FAVORITES
HIGH PASS CHALLENGE
(HPC)
"There is no place on earth like this to ride! Amazing!"
10th Annual 2017 RIDER COUNT 327 2017 HIGHLIGHT The route was shortened to 104 miles, but still had 7,500 feet of climbing. The weather was spectacular with amazing views of Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Adams. 2018 DATE August 27 AROUND THE BEND IN 2018 Put this ride on your bucket list. If you are looking for a challenge, this is one you’ll love to conquer. RIDER FAVORITES
“Loved the scenery, the ferry ride and the timing (end of summer).”
KITSAP COLOR CLASSIC 23rd Annual 2017 RIDER COUNT 1,112 2017 HIGHLIGHT Capping off our event season, riders enjoyed a beautiful autumn day of riding with stunning views of Puget Sound, Hood Canal and Liberty Bay and treats from local legend Sluys Bakery. 2018 DATE September 23 AROUND THE BEND IN 2018 Expect the same great route and local partnerships in 2018.
YOUR 2017 REGISTRATION FEES HELPED SUPPORT • The final push to break ground on the Missing Link • Bicycle education for more than 18,000 students in our school-based Let’s Go program • 2,500 rides in the Free Group Rides program • Progress on the Eastside Rail Corridor and Wilburton Trestle • 47 Major Taylor Project students who rode the STP • and so much more!
EARLY REGISTRATION Members can register early for:
• CHILLY HILLY • RIDE AROUND WASHINGTON (RAW)
Anyone can also get the perfect holiday gift with the availability of the Cascade Season Pass and Cascade Summer Fun Pass also available November 27. Visit cascade.org for more information.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Kelli Refer, Statewide Engagment Director
Advocacy Leadership Institute Alumni Highlight Cascade Bicycle Club’s Advocacy Leadership Institute is a nationally recognized training program that transforms people who are passionate about bicycling into effective advocates for for better trails, safer streets and more connected communities. Graduates of this program have gone on to do many great things, from serving on boards and commissions to starting their own campaigns and more. Let’s hear what a few graduates are working on!
MARLEY BLONSKY WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON OR HAVE WORKED ON RECENTLY TO MAKE BICYCLING BETTER?
WHAT SKILLS DID YOU LEARN IN ALI THAT YOU ARE USING?
My current project is With These Thighs, a body positivity campaign that encourages people to be proud of what they do with their bodies. This sticker campaign reminds people, women especially, to focusing on their accomplishments, specifically around biking. It takes a lot of strength to climb mountains and go on awesome trips, instead of getting wrapped up in what size you are.
I learned about the power of organizing and finding a message. It really honed in on your messaging skills. I also learned the importance of organizing a campaign. I learned how it works and the steps to build it up and celebrate it. This was incredibly helpful for the Girls of Summer Alleycat and Menstrual Mondays.
The idea is from Leah Benson, who owns Gladys bikes in Portland and sent one sticker to Marley, who then used her social media prowess to make the campaign take off! Now she is sending stickers to people all over the United States. Marley also serves on the board of The Bikery, a community bike shop in Seattle. She also co-organized the Girls of Summer Alleycat for women and non-binary folks. One of her major goals is to get more women on bikes because it is a great way to move throughout the city.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY? Don’t try and take it all on. You can’t fight every battle; you must pick and choose. Find the one thing you are most passionate about and how you can make a difference. Otherwise it gets overwhelming. Do what you find fun— encouraging people to ride is a source of fun and inspiration.
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BRIAN ESTES
PATTY LYMAN WHAT SKILLS DID YOU LEARN IN ALI THAT YOU ARE USING? There were a lot of skills I took away from ALI. Learning how to tell your story about why this work is important to you is a vital skill.
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON OR HAVE WORKED ON RECENTLY TO MAKE BICYCLING BETTER? Most recently I organized a meeting with Council Member Mike O’Brien, Alta Planning + Design, Seattle Neighborhood Greenways and Seattle Department of Transportation about adopting a level of stress metric for bike facilities in Seattle, as well as a measurement of connectivity for the bike network. Oregon is now requiring bike infrastructure to require that measurement. In addition to that, I serve on the Move Seattle Oversight committee and advocate for better measurements for walking and biking.
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Always having an ask in mind when you go into meetings with elected officials. Know what you are you trying to accomplish. It might mean that you facilitate a meeting with the right people to present the best message. It doesn’t always have to be yourself; sometimes it is about getting the right people in the room. Who is the best entity to connect with to get the change you want—it might be SDOT, your councilmember or planner with engineering expertise. Plus, the networking with ALI is also really helpful. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY? Align yourself with different organizations, network and understand the groups that are advocating for things you are interested. Advocate for things in your immediate neighborhood, but also look at the citywide and regional level, too. We need to build a broader coalition to build public support for safe biking and walking. Communicate with your elected officials, and develop a relationship with their staff. It takes time, but it is worth it. Join Cascade!
WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON OR HAVE WORKED ON RECENTLY TO MAKE BICYCLING BETTER? Grow Avenue is the neighborhood street that runs from Winslow Way to Bainbridge Island High School at High School Road. It is approximately one mile in length. Although it is in the urban center of Winslow, there is no sidewalk or pathway on the avenue. The road is used by high school students walking to and from school, along with many neighborhood walkers, including folks who walk their dogs. There are also bicyclists coming to and from the ferry, as well as cars rushing to get to the ferry, and even some construction trucks. There are arterial streets that trucks and cars can take instead of using Grow Avenue. As part of the Multimodal Transportation Advisory Committee, I advocated making Grow Avenue a Greenway. We met with the traffic engineer from the City of Bainbridge, and I asked him to come to a Grow Avenue community meeting in July, which he agreed to do. I set a date, wrote a leaflet, and then canvassed all of Grow Avenue. During my walk up and down the street, I talked to a number of neighbors about the meeting. Another alumni of ALI was willing to host the meeting in his home. More than 30 Grow Avenue neighbors showed up and had a chance to voice their concerns about safety and speed on the avenue. The city traffic engineer had the opportunity to hear what the neighbors were concerned about and to make some responses. I proposed asking the city to make Grow Avenue the first Greenway on Bainbridge Island, lowering the speed limit to 20 miles per hour, and asking the city council to find funding for providing speed tables or humps on the avenue. The city advisory committee was generally supportive of the proposal, and our committee expects that it will be approved through the city council. I plan to shepherd this through and then support the committee to envision what they'd really like to see as our neighborhood street.
APPLY TODAY! Applications are due by Friday, October 13 at 5 p.m. Space is limited to 20 participants. You will be notified if you’ve been accepted by Monday, October 16 at 5 p.m.
Now is the time to apply for the Fall ALI retreat!
TWO-DAY FALL RETREAT
Applications are open for our fall session. In this two-day retreat you will hear from experts on campaign planning, working with the media and meeting elected officials. You will get the chance to plug into current campaigns and connect with inspiring ALI alumni!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4 10 A.M. - 4 P.M. CASCADE BICYCLING CENTER
AMANDA BARNETT WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON OR HAVE WORKED ON RECENTLY TO MAKE BICYCLING BETTER?
WHAT SKILLS DID YOU LEARN IN ALI THAT YOU ARE USING? Although I have been very enthusiastic about greenways, ALI taught me it was important to build community support for my proposal to work. It has also been helpful to hear of the success of other projects from ALI alumni. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY? I believe there is the tipping point when a community is ready to make change. Sometimes it may take several years before you see results. Listening to others is an important skill.
As a member of the Seattle Bicycle Advisory Board (SBAB) for the past year and a half, I have provided support and feedback to SDOT for bicycle projects throughout the city. This includes providing input for some really exciting upgrades to infrastructure, such as safer bicycle navigation downtown with One Center City and better bicycle/freight interfacing along East Marginal Way. And as a newly appointed co-chair to the board, along with fellow ALI alum Casey Gifford, I intend to focus on examining how SBAB can operate in a more equitable fashion.
WHAT SKILLS DID YOU LEARN IN ALI THAT YOU ARE USING? ALI gave me a more flushed out picture of what it takes to make bicycle-related changes in Seattle and Washington. It also provided technical skills training for how to be a successful bicycle advocate: from providing public comment to developing outreach strategies, from legislative advocacy to media engagement. But the greatest skill I picked up at ALI and continue to hone as a bicycle advocate is my ability to frame a dry, infrastructure related issue as something important and relatable, even for people who don't ride bikes.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY? So often, bicycle advocates come at an issue from a place of wanting to change their route, their commute, their experience, and seek out those who share their viewpoint and frustration. This strategy begs the question: who else is this helping, besides you? It's first important to develop an understanding of who your community is. Foster partnerships and allow yourself to be vulnerable to differences in opinion while remaining curious. Arrive at an issue and begin to seek solutions only after spending time, money and energy building trust. Myopic views are limited in their efficacy, but a collective leadership is sustainable for community. PEDAL | 27
"I have become a member now as I really like this club and would like to ride some more with you all when I'm back in town." – Free Group Ride participant from San Francisco, CA. Cascade member since 2017.
WHY DID YOU JOIN CASCADE BICYCLE CLUB? Ariana Rundquist, Membership & Development Manager
It’s no secret that the Cascade Bicycle Club membership base is a wide-ranging community. All types of bikey-people join Cascade, from fair-weather commuters to long-distance weekend riders to people who don’t bike at all. What do these Season Pass holders, mountain bikers, Cyclocross racers and by-bike shoppers all have in common? They want to see bicycling grow in Washington state.
"My girlfriend just moved to Seattle for grad school and I got our membership for her as a surprise. We are both big cyclists and love to support biking communities." – Bicyclist in Minneapolis, MN. Cascade members since 2016.
Cascade Bicycle Club is the largest bike nonprofit in the U.S. and our impact is clearly crossing borders. 16,000 people support our work as Cascade members, yet 7.7% do not live in the state of Washington. People who bike have many opportunities to connect with Cascade’s statewide programs. Those who join as members stay connected to our shared vision of bicycling for all, whether or not they are a local resident or even ride a bike themselves.
"We're not local but we love biking in Washington. Thank you for all you do for bicyclists in the states." – Ride Around Washington participants from Sydney, Australia. Cascade members since 2014.
For the first time this holiday season Cascade Bicycle Club will offer gift memberships for purchase online. We hope you will share whatever motivated you to join Cascade when you connect a friend or loved one to our eclectic membership community. We’re glad to have you with us.
Gift memberships will be available for purchase November 2017 at cascade.org/giftmembership 28 | PEDAL
CYCLING ATTORNEY
Member of Cascade Bicycle Club & Washington Bikes Sponsor of Bikesale.com, Dyna, Egencia, Fell Swoop, Fischer Plumbing, Garage, Husky, Lakemont, Recycled Cycles, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Snoqualmie Ice Cream, SnoValley Velo, Spin, SPU, Taco Time NW and Thrive Cycling Teams
206-343-1888 or 206-714-1085 john@dugganbikelaw.com www.dugganbikelaw.com
Free Consultation
SUPPORT A BIKE FRIENDLY WASHINGTON... EVEN WHEN YOU DRIVE A portion of proceeds from the license plate purchases and renewals now support Cascade’s safety education programs statewide. Share your love of bikes with a Share the Road license plate. cascade.org/license-plate PEDAL | 29
BIKES BUILD COMMUNITY Stacey Williams, Rides & Outreach Director and Diana Bryant, Content Marketing Manager
If you live in the Northwest, you may have noticed that people here really like to bike. And with good reason. After all, the health and social benefits of biking are enough to keep those pedals turning all year long.
Fall is a great time to get out on the bike and build community with many opportunities on the Free Group Rides calendar! For many cyclists, coffee and bakeries are an essential part of biking fun. So if you’re looking to explore many of the great cafes and bakeries in the area, look for some of our “pastry rides” happening most weekends throughout the fall. Perhaps you’d even like to join the 2017 Coffeeneuring Challenge (Oct 13 - Nov 19). Here are the general rules for the challenge: ride your bike to seven different cups of coffee over six weeks. Ride a bicycle at least two miles round trip, and take a picture (or do something else to document it) each time. Do it by yourself or with others, and most importantly, enjoy all that the coffeeneuring season offers! And if pastries and coffee can’t convince you to get out, then perhaps consider the simple increase in daily energy levels and the chance to take in some eye-popping scenery. No matter how you think about it, the reasons to hop on a bike are plentiful. Let’s take a look at a couple of them.
This page: Coffee, bakeries and bikes — the perfect combination. Opposite page: Free Group Rides is a great way to meet folks who have the same passion for bicycling.
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It makes you feel good. It’s no secret that regular exercise and activity are good for the mind and body. Riding a bike is an easy way to build an exercise routine into your week. Whether you’re heading to work, the grocery store, your kids’ school or just to meet up with friends, riding your bike there adds an extra element of cardiovascular activity to your routine. Start with short, convenient trips around your neighborhood, and work your way up to longer rides or faster paces as you get more comfortable. Speaking of friends, it’s a great way to make some. Biking is an excellent way to meet new people and try new things. Cascade Bicycle Club offers Free Group Rides every day of the year and for all skill levels, with rides starting and ending in Redmond, Seattle, Renton and other communities throughout the Puget Sound. Many rides feature social destinations like parks and cafes, and if you come out to ride regularly, you’ll begin to recognize familiar faces. Maybe you’ll even get to know a few. See what it’s all about at cascade.org/grouprides. Whether you’re looking to spruce up your exercise routine, meet new people or just challenge yourself to see new places, there’s an easy way to get started biking in your community. The benefits are plentiful.
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PUMPING JOY INTO A COMMUNITY: LEAVENWORTH’S BICYCLE PUMP TRACK Diana Bryant, Content Marketing Manager
Nestled in the beautiful Cascade Mountains of central Washington, the Bavarian-style village of Leavenworth is best known for its Europeanstyle picturesque views and, of course, its annual Oktoberfest. If you’re headed there this fall to celebrate the changing of the seasons, there’s a hidden gem that should top your to-do list: the Leavenworth Pump Track. A pump track is a system of berms and rollers that form a continuous dirt or paved loop. On a pump track, riders move the bike and generate momentum by pumping their arms and legs, rather than relying on steady pedaling. According to the Blue Lotus Foundation, the organization behind the track’s creation, “pump tracks help build bike handling skills, are a good workout, and most importantly are just plain fun for young and old alike.” Judging by the community turnout, just plain fun is being had by a lot of folks in Leavenworth. “The popularity of the pump track was instant. Within a week of completion, parents were laughing at how quickly homework and chores were finished so that their kids could head down to the park,” said Angela Harrison, Blue Lotus Foundation board member.
Blue Lotus Foundation, Velosolutions crew and volunteers working hard on getting the track completed.
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Completed in 2016, the Leavenworth Pump Track was a joint effort from the Blue Lotus Foundation, Swiss-based Velosolutions, the City of Leavenworth and much of the surrounding community to honor the memory of mother, wife and local outdoor enthusiast Ellie Booher. The pump track gave her husband, Chris, and their two sons a lasting memorial, along with countless locals and tourists who come to Leavenworth year round. Blue Lotus Foundation with Velosolutions, a company that specializes in asphalt pump tracks, helped bring the track to life in just under a year. As one of few pump tracks of its size and magnitude in the United States (another notable track designed and built by Velosolutions is in Brooklyn, NY), the Leavenworth Pump Track was truly a labor of love from the local community. “It was so nice how much everyone wanted this for the community,” said Harrison. “From park signage to dump trucks filled with dirt, lot of businesses came forward to help.” Before its official opening in 2016, the track was even tested and given the stamp of approval from professional BMX and pump track experts Jill Kitner and her husband, who live nearby.
Now, the pump track is routinely frequented by kids and families, young and old.
Above: The community came together to bring the pump track to life.
The Leavenworth Pump Track is a wonderful example of how bicycling can truly bring a community together. With so many volunteer hands at work, the track came together swiftly as a way to support and celebrate a family through love, community and bicycling. A true hidden gem, the Leavenworth Pump Track is sure to be discovered by the best of bicycling enthusiasts for a long time to come.
Below: Enthusiastic people of all ages testing out the new track.
For more information about the Leavenworth Pump Track, follow them on Facebook – facebook.com/ LeavenworthPumpTrack
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WHERE DID WE BIKE THIS SUMMER? With fall here, we asked Cascade staff to look back on a beautiful summer and share some of their biking highlights. We hope you had just as much summer fun on your bike as we did!
This summer I biked out to Point No Point on the Kitsap Peninsula. I love this ride because of the old farms you pass and the sweeping views of the Puget Sound, but the best part is always eating a double scoop of ice cream at the Hansgrill. Julia Unfortunately a foot injury cut my summer riding short, but I had a blast riding Tour de Blast and Flying Wheels. Richard
I rode with a Brazilian friend from Lake Union Park up to the Burke-Gilman Trail. We enjoyed the view at Gasworks Park then biked over to Ballard for a beer at Peddler Brewing. My friend felt safe biking in Seattle and impressed by the friendliness of the other bicyclists on the trail; I was so proud! Ariana
Lopez Island bike camping at Odlin Park, then around San Juan Island. Can’t forget riding the Olympic Discovery Trail—divine! Tarrell
My partner and I took Friday off to trip-prep and head up to Lopez Island for an overnight. We made friends with some other bikers, camped at the beautiful Spencer Spit State Park (hiker/biker camping is only $12!!!), and rode the whole island in the afternoon. We finished with free wine tasting and free music at Vita's in the village. Alex C.
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Some friends staying with us borrowed bikes, and we all rode downtown to an evening outdoor screening of Shaun of the Dead. We had a great picnic, and they had an even better introduction to biking in Seattle. Alex C. Bike-in movies! Biking to outdoor movies with our kiddos was a highlight of the summer (especially the biking at night part for my 6-year-old). Stacey N.
Seattle to Spokane in six days! In late June I rode from my front door in Seattle to Spokane. Generally following Highway 2, I rode over Stevens Pass, up the Grand Coulee, and through endless miles of wheat fields. Although the Central Washington summer was unbearably hot at times, the trip was a great opportunity to experience our beautiful state from a perspective you can only get on a bicycle.
We did a ladies’ overnight camping trip out to Kitsap Memorial State Park! Kelsey
Charlie
I used the RSVP day 1 route to ride from Seattle to Bellingham one Saturday with a friend. It is a gorgeous ride with off-street paths and hilly coastal roads. The best part was that for $11 I took a bus back to Seattle, which made it really easy to do the ride as a point-to-point. Ryan
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WE ARE B ICYCLI NG FOR ALL