Pacific Northwest - Help with a ride from Whidbey to Mulkiteo

Hey gang. I'm planning a training ride from Oak Harbor to Mulkiteo next week. I've checked Mapmyride and few other web sites for possible routes. I can get all the way to North Everett, but i'm not so sure about routes from the North side of E town down to the Mulkieo/Clinton Ferry.

Does anyone know if North Broadway to the W. Mulkiteo or 525 is a death trap? I'm partial to back roads with minimal stops. Hills do not bother me (too much).

Thanks for your help in advance.

Petey:thumb:

Take 41st west folllow the arterial left up the hill toward Forest park. You will be on Muckiteo Blvd, follow that all the way to Muckiteo. It has bike lanes or a wide shoulder the whole way. it is a great ride.

Unless youwant to make a really long detour, you'll be coming into Everett across the flats from Marysville. The bridge is not the most pleasant; ped walkway is narrow, lanes are too. At the Everett end of the bridge, take the right turn; at the light, go left toward West Marine View Drive.
In a short while you will get to make a choice: stay up on the bluff, or drop down to the waterfront.
On the bluff, stay toward the right at the first few streets and you'll be on Grand Avenue; stop at the park for a good view across the Homeport, the bay, etc. toward the Olympics. At 19th, go left, then right on Rucker (the next street) and follow it out to 41st, per Ngateguy's notes.
On the waterfront, after the nice drop on the sloping bridge/viaduct, look out for rough pavement. Once you pass the Homeport's front gate, stay on the roadway, not the ped walkway; follow it to Hewitt, go left, take a right on Rucker in a couple blocks, then continue up to 41st.
If you want to look Downtown Everett over, or get food, Sno-Isle Co-op at California and Grand, various quick food places downtown on Colby and Hewitt, or the Safeway at 41st and Rucker are all choices, or press on to Mukilteo and pick up fish and chips and chowder to go at Ivar's to eat on the ferry, or in the state park.

Go to www.seattlerandonneur.org and check out their spring 300k from this year. Download the route sheet (in .xls format) and have fun.

Thanks for the replies. I'll discuss it with two other guys comming with me. It should be a good time.

Be safe out there.
God Bless.

Petey

Does anyone know if North Broadway to the W. Mulkiteo or 525 is a death trap? I'm partial to back roads with minimal stops. Hills do not bother me (too much).

Thanks for your help in advance.

Petey:thumb:

Not sure how you're getting to North Everett from OH, but as has been said, the 529 bridge over Snohomish River can be sketchy (some call it the 'bridge of death'). If you're coming down the reservation road from Marysville, I'd continue east and take Sunnyside road to Ebey Island and then over the Hiway 2 bridge (bike path) to Everett.

But, North Everett to Mukilteo is a breaze, I ride it probably 3 times a week. You'll want to find 41st avenue and head west to Mukilteo. There are several north/south roads that will get you to 41st: West Marine View Drive (my favorite, goes along the water), Alverson/Grand Ave or Colby (through downtown Everett) - all are fine. I'd avoid Broadway - way too much traffic.

Once you find 41st ave, head west all the way to Mukilteo. You'll be riding on Mukilteo Boulevard, which eventually ends at Mukilteo Speedaway. There's a bike lane most of the way and traffic is very accomodating. (There are a few rolling hills, but nothing like those on Whidbey.) At the end of the Blvd, take a right onto Mukilteo Speedway and you're just a block or two from the Ferry terminal.

If you have time, stop at Woody's for ice cream, or at Diamond Knot brewery for some good ale.

(The ride up Whidbey from Mukilteo to Anacortes is a regular favorite of mine.)