do it!

That's only true if you're on the passenger decks. If you stick to the car deck, cleats are fine.

You could also invest in a set of cleat covers.

I've decided, due to some post ride plans, that I will be driving on the Edmonds/Kingston Ferry and parking somewhere near the Bainbridge Ferry. Planning on driving around through Silverdale etc on the way back to stop at a couple places I haven't been to in years.

I just take my shoes off, and walk around in my socks. It's not a big deal.

Well if there is no snow/ice I'll be doing the ride. I will also be driving up instead of taking the ferry. Last year had to wait for the 2nd ferry because of the huge turnout due to the nice weather. I'm sure it won't be the same but like FeedFred I want to stop at some places like Bremerton and Silverdale.

damn, we're out, having guests this weekend (i forgot)

What are people bringing for the ride this year, and how are you all going to dress? I've heard we should expect rain and temps in the mid 40s ... but I also heard we'd all be buried under snow today.

I've been wondering the same thing, I've never done the Chilly Hilly and I've only rode in cold weather once or twice. I think I'm going to wear a merino jersey with a Showers Pass rain/wind jacket on the top, then cycling tights with cycling shorts underneath, woolie boolies for socks. Hope that's enough. I did a couple rides in the 30's/40's with the same clothing and felt fine.

You can stay with your bike through the entire ferry ride, correct? It doesn't have to leave your hands from dock to dock?

Correct

Thanks, FeedFred!

Just remember to bring an extra layer like a jacket or vest if you stay with your bike (& cars). It gets cold with the wind coming through. Most people end up venturing up on the deck to keep warm and socialize with the cyclists.

No sweat

I commute by bike on the ferry, and would highly recommend leaning your bike up against the nearest available rail (or, given Chilly Hilly numbers, against another bike) and then get upstairs to the warm. To my knowledge there aren't any rules against staying with your bike, but I've never seen anyone do it. But if you feel the need to assure you'll have a chilly Chilly Hilly, then by all means, stay with your bike

And a note to those with road shoes/cleats--be careful dismounting your bike onto the metal deck of the ferry--I've more than once seen someone wipe out the moment their shoes hit the deck...

Given the weather forecast, I'm a little less bummed that I have to spend all day rehearsing inside a windowless theater. But maybe I'll see y'all there next year!

My husband (Magohn) will be out there and my daughter and I will be cheering him and the rest of you on from the side lines! I suppose we might have to pack two bikes over to see if the roads require the studded tires on the mountain bike. My daughter is very excited to bring Girl Scout cookies over to you all, hopefully she is able to sell a few. For those that like to support but don't like the calories, you can donate them to Operation Cookie Drop - cookies for our hard working men and women in the military. $4.00 a box.

Ride safe, stay warm and enjoy!

Positively,
Margaret

Looks like it should be in the low 40s and raining.

If I haven't registered, what time should I show up at the ferry dock? I'm not a morning person, so later is ideal, but can I count on there being room on the 10 am ferry, or do I need to give myself some leeway?

If you had a cyclocross bike that wasn't that comfortable, and a fancy carbon road bike that you baby, which would you bring? That's what I'm ultimately getting at; I'd rather be on the nice bike, but won't leave it out of my site, or where it could get even slightly damaged...

If you do a Google Images search for "Chilly Hilly Ferry" you can get a good idea for what the ferry bike storage situation is--pretty crowded, a lot of bikes leaned up against others, lots of opportunities for things/people to bump your bike. Don't know which would be worse for you, the heartburn of trying to protect the fancy carbon, or the discomfort of riding the cross bike. At any rate, hope you have a fun ride!

Holy poop!

Yup, there were 6000 last year. The weather was great last year, probably a smaller turn out this year given the forecast. Found this vid from last year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajv_MvOe1P8

That is awesome. Thanks!
I'll be on a red Cannondale Cyclocross bike with disc brakes. Unless the weather turns nice then I'll be on a full carbon Synapse.
Happy riding!

I'm aiming to make the 7:55 ferry and stage myself with the mid-paced riders (14 - 17mph). You won't be able to miss me: I'm 6'6", and I'm riding a beater 64cm 1988 Trek 400 with blue/white harlequin wrapped handlebars and cotton candy pink singlespeed wheels.

*edit*
Scratch the singlespeed. Nixed all for want of a half-link. Dangit! Switched my drivetrain from 3/32 to 1/8 for the new setup, and forgot that I was using a half-link in the old drivetrain. All I have are 3/32 half-links, and I'm not spending the time to swap the trainer tires off my 3/32 geared wheel. I'd switch the danged freewheels and solve it, but I don't have the right freewheel remover.
I'll be riding my brevet bike tomorrow. Black Cross Check with chrome accents.
*end edit*

As for clothing, I'll have a wool baselayer, wool jersey and Showers Pass touring jacket up top. Craft winter knicks and Novara windproof rain pants on bottom. Either wool boot socks or kneehighs (depending on temperature) and my shoes. I lost my shoe covers, so oh well... PI Cyclone gloves, probably. Maybe my wool earflap hat under the brain bucket.

how'd it go?

my house guest left yesterday after all, i had no excuse for not showing

It was very chilly to say the least. Rather than stopping and enjoying the scenery, we kept moving just to stay warm. Relatively dry and saw an occasional sprinkle mixed with light hail and snow. Seattle times article says about ~3700 was out riding...sounds about right since it appeared less biker traffic which means its easier to maneuver around.

https://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...yhilly28m.html

I hopped on the 9:35 and took off with the medium-paced folks. Like jazzy said, showers and sleet were pretty much it, but my sneakers and cheapo gloves were pretty wet by the end. Didn't really get cold until the ride home from the downtown ferry dock, when the wind picked up.

Rider of the day was the dad powering up a hill with one kid riding tandem and another on a tow bar -- neither of his kids looked like they were helping much.

Anyone see the mountain unicycle? I wonder how far that guy rode it.