matlock

In eleven days I'm leaving to take the ACA northern tier route east to west across the country. I was wondering if anyone here has a good bicycle route (maybe routes?) from Anacortes (the western end of the NT) to Seattle (where several of my friends happen to be moving this summer).

A simple Google map inquiry yields a route of ~80 miles, and I figure something in that ballpark will be doable in one day (provided it's reasonably flat). If there's a good route that's significantly longer, but has some camping spots along the way, that would be great too.

Thanks!

Ken Brown

I did that ride in 1980, in the other direction. My recollection is that I cycled approx 35 miles to Everett, then 70 miles to Anacortes. As I recall, Whidbey Island was fairly flat. I think the ride up to Everett was mostly urban and not much fun.

Looking at the map, you might be better off taking a ferry from Seattle across the bay and go via Port Townsend. Hopefully someone from the area can give you good advice.

BigBlueToe

I'd recommend riding down Whidbey Island. It's pretty, not too hilly, and there is camping along the way. The easiest way is just to ride the highway down the middle of the island. I haven't done it for 20 years, but the last time I did there was a good shoulder the whole way. I did a web search and found some alternate routes. Here is one place to try.

If you're camping you can camp at Deception Pass at the top of the island, Fort Casey part of the way down (next to the ferry dock to go to Port Townsend and the Olympic Peninsula), or South Whidbey about 2/3 of the way down. At the southern tip you take a ferry to Mukilteo. From there I'm not sure of the best route into Seattle. There's something called the Interurban trail you should research. When I did it I just took Aurora (old 99), which is a very busy commercial main drag, but has wide shoulders the whole way. I knew it from driving, and I didn't know any alternatives. I'm sure there are some. Here's another site to check out.

Bekologist

If you're NOT pressed for time, taking the ferry over to Port Townsend from Fort Casey and then down across the Hood Canal Bridge, and along across Agate Pass and into Seattle on the Bainbridge/Seattle ferry would provide the most spectacular, senic and rural finish to your trip.

I can send along some crib sheets and turn by turn directions to get to Seattle this senic way. it would be a fantastic final portion of the trip. From anacortes, it'd be a very comfortable 2 days, taking your time meandering along Whidbey Island, stopping for the night in historic Port Townsend, camping at the fort "an Officer and a Gentleman" was filmed at (ride your bike thru a massive assemblage of historic bunkers!) and finishing up with about 50 miles into Seattle on the last day.

MillCreek

I would ride from Anacortes down the length of Whidbey Island, take the Clinton-Mukilteo ferry, ride from Mukilteo to Mill Creek and ride the Bothell-Everett Highway down to Bothell Landing, and take the Burke-Gilman trail all the way down into Seattle. This is the most direct and efficient route if you want to do it in one day. If you prefer a more leisurely and scenic route, than think about the Port Townsend-Hood Canal-Bainbridge route suggested in this thread.

Recumbomatic

Been a while since I lived out there.

Suggested route: From Anacortes, ride down Whidbey Island to Port Townsend Ferry. Take ferry to Port Townsend. Ride down on Olympic Penninsula. Visit Port Ludlow if you get the chance, its a small historic town. Ride over to Suquamish and Banbridge Island. Take Bainbridge ferry over to Seattle.

This route is doable in two days, but three or more is better. Take your time and look around. Do some sightseeing around Port Townsend. There will be camping opportunities, nice scenery and some hills (but nothing too major).

Cornchops

+1 for the Bainbridge ferry, via Whidbey and Port Townsend. A very nice ride.