Seattle Pacific Univ. to Bainbridge Island and the Kitsap Peninsula w Ice Cream

Join me at the West Ewing Mini-park (at the beginning of 3rd Ave. West, on the Seattle Pacific Univ. Campus, ) for a 60 mile ride that follows the parts of Bike Club's classic Chilly Hilly February route and the Kitsap Color Classic fall route, with a ferry ride ($9.05 - $4.50 for those over 65) and, of course, an ice cream stop. Lets meet at 8:30 am, 10 minutes ahead of the start time so we can go over the safety briefings and make sure not to miss the 9:35 Ferry. 

NOTE: The Bainbridge ferry crossing is about 8 miles and should not be included in the metrics for the RWGPS route BUT they are included in the RWGPS cue sheets and RWGPS mileage calculations. So, where I have I have shown mileage estimates along the route, I report it as two numbers, the approximate actual mileage and the mileage as shown on the cue sheet. For example our first coffee stop in Winslow is shown as 14/22 - 15 represents our actual miles in the saddle, but 23 represents the cue sheet data. 

Remember to turn off your devices when getting on the ferry unless you want the ferry rides included in your metrics. (And remember to turn them back on when you get off the ferry !)

Please note: During COVID-19 Phases 1.5 and 2, all Free Group Rides are limited to six total participants: the Ride Leader and five others. Registration for the ride (using the red “Register Now” button above) is REQUIRED to participate. If you decide not to ride, please unregister for this ride so that an additional spot will be made available to another.

Face coverings (for mouth and nose) are required when the group makes extended stops. Face coverings are recommended for the duration of the ride. Please bring personal hand sanitizer,  disinfecting wipes and tissues for use at rest stops.

The Route:  The route takes us over to Magnolia and along the bike trail to the Sculpture Park where Alaskan Way to the Ferry Terminal. From the ferry we will take a little ride over to a great memorial to the WWII situation on Bainbridge when residents of Japanese descent were kicked off their land and forced into internment camps. Once back in downtown Winslow we will stop for a warmup coffee at the Blackbird Bakery (about mile 14/22). Then (I estimate the time here will be about 11:45) we will follow part of the route of the club's classic 1st of the season February ride, the Chilly Hilly up the East side of Bainbridge island and over the bridge to the Kitsap Peninsula.

Once on the peninsula we head over the Poulsbo and then cut across the peninsula to Suquamish where we will stop to see Chief Seattle's grave and then have lunch at Sully's Bar and Grill where there is an outside patio with great views across the sound. This should be at about mile 39/47. (I estimate we will be having lunch at about 1:45 -2:45).

From Suquamish, it is a short 7 mile ride to the Ferry in Kingston (at about mile 46/54) . We should get to Kingston between 3:30 and 3:45 and easily be able to catch the 4:00 ferry. (If we are ahead of schedule, there is ferry at at 3:10 and, if we are running late, there is one at 4:40.) In Kingston, if we have time, we can stop at the delicious Mora's Ice Creamery, assuming folks saved room for dessert. After our well deserved ice cream, we will get on the ferry to Edmonds for the final 15 mile return to Seattle. 

The ferry ride takes about 30 minutes and the final 15 miles home should take about an hour (there are four hills but the ride home is largely downhill), so we should be back at the start about 5:30. HOWEVER, if we have some complications and miss the 4:00 ferry, we would not get back until a little after 6:00. So please bring a headlamp or other form of light for the finish of the ride, just in case.

NOTE - We will be following COVID-19 social distancing practices, and I will ask all riders to stay at least 10-12' apart when riding and at least 6' apart when stopped. Since I am in the high risk category (due to age) I will ask all riders to stay behind me throughout the ride and will encourage you to wear your mask. We will climb and descend hills at our own pace, and our goal will be to stay together and regroup as necessary at the top and bottom of all hills. Since I am a slower climber, I will ask anyone who is faster to go ahead at the beginning of the hill and wait at the top.

Start Time:  Let's meet at the West Ewing park 10 minutes before the published start time (i.e 8:30 am) for our pre-ride safety briefing, with a departure at 8:40 am on the dot !  We will go over hand signals and what we say during the ride to keep ourselves safe.  

Restrooms and water are NOT available at the start. There will be a restrooms available on the ferry at about mile 7; at our coffee stop at mile 14/22 and at lunch 39/47; and on the return ferry at about mile 47/55.

Fenders and tubes:  Bring a headlamp and a spare tube and tools to fix a flat, just in case. Please have full fenders. Even if it is not raining, when the roads are wet, rooster tails from bare tires are a safety issue for other riders.  Fenders with long mudflaps show that you care about others. Riders without friendly mudflaps may be asked to ride at the back of the group.

WEATHER:  If, between 8:00pm and 10:00 pm (depending when I can check it) the night before the ride, Weather Underground forecast predicts a greater than 30% chance of significant rain, the ride will be canceled. I will send everyone who has registered an email that night advising of the cancellation and post a ride-cancellation notice in the Comments section on this club page; and I will NOT be at the start. 

Also, if there are unexpected showers the morning of the ride, or if there are other unforeseen hazardous riding conditions, I will post a ride-canceled note in the Comments section below and email everyone who has registered at least two hours prior to the start and I will not be at the start location. 

I hope you can join me!