Anyone planning on the Ride Around Washington in early August? I'm from New Jersey, I've never been to Washington, and I'd be interested in finding out a bit more about what I'm getting into.

Ride Around Washington | Cascade Bicycle Club

Jeeez, that looks like a great ride, beautiful route. Plus, August is the driest time of year, so you have a high probability of perfect weather. I may sign up for that one too, wow!
You have a layover day in Port Angeles, so you can do a ride up to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park, OR, you could get up and walk onto the first sailing of the Coho Ferry to Victoria BC for the day and take the afternoon trip back. Victoria is a beautiful city and the ferry docks right downtown.
https://cohoferry.com/The-Route

I definitely give this ride the thumbs up, way up.

I can't improve on Shifty's comment except to say if you do take the Ferry to Victoria ( excellent suggestion ) you will need either a passport, or enhanced drivers license to enter Canada. The ride up to Hurricane Ridge is fantastic, but steep. If memory serves it's around a 5000' elevation gain, but worth the effort in nice weather, which is what you may expect in August. I think you can expect some traffic along highway 101 and as well the ride along the Columbia River in August. Oh and the section running along Crescent Lake will take you close to the Sol Duc hot springs, you may find that interesting, but likely crowed. If you have time for a diversion, consider a side trip to La Push, the very short hike to what they refer to as beach 2 is worth it, quite rugged and quiet. It is like anything else, the more time you have , the more you'll see and enjoy. Enjoy

I have just looked at the link you provided. Is this an organized ride ? You'll be in good hands, again, enjoy.

I have ridden the Olympic Peninsula several times. I have ridden Port Townsend/Sequim/Port Angeles/Neah Bay. Also down the east side of the peninsula along the Hood Canal. Also spent some time out around the Quinalt Reservation (your Amanda Park stop). I would say that you should expect to be on 2 lane roads where the traffic (+RVs & trucks) is traveling 50+mph. The shoulder spacing should be adequate for most of the miles, although the fully loaded logging trucks can be intimidating for some. Past Forks, WA the traffic drops significantly. Make sure your tires are durable given typical road debris.

It's gorgeous - I'll look for pics to post.
We have a Forum member (Lascauxcaveman) who runs a Port Angeles hotel very close to the ferry landing.

Can't find all the pics but here are a few. These totems are out near Neah Bay and not on your specific route. You will also likely get some views of our "working forests"; recent clearcut isn't pretty.

Thanks, all! I am very much looking forward to this!

That would be an epic ride!

It was indeed.

I spend most of my BF time over on Clydesdales & Athenas, so that's where you can see the write-up:
https://www.bikeforums.net/clydesdale...on-2014-a.html

Glad you saw our PNW, at least the Olympic Peninsula.
Super write-up, sorry I was so late to read it.

I'm always interested in what out of towners think about our homeland. I'd read his assessment if I could but I don't have permission and I'm too lazy to logout. Pathetic, I know.

I once started two tours from Seattle. Headed up to Bay View S.P. via Port Townsend (Fort Worden S.P.) then to Sedro-Wooley, S. Skagit Highway to Concrete to Rockport (Howard Miller Steelhead Park), back roads to Marblemount then over SR 20 to Witnthrop thence to Tonasket, Republic, Colville, Ione and Newtown before entering ID. Great riding.

I know that route. It would be a nice ride. Climbing out of Marblemount clearly was your most challenging riding I'm sure.

Stayed at Rockport and then did a short day through Newhalem to Colonial Creek Campground a little east of Diablo. From there, it was nearly 30 miles to Washington Pass. No services whatsoever. The first several miles out of Colonial Creek are pretty brutal. The rest of the way is mostly uphill to one degree or another. The first year it started to rain and then snow before Rainy Pass. The precipitation continued beyond Washington Pass, but Winthrop, where I took a day off, was bone dry. Later, I got snowed on descending Sherman Pass. The second year was much nicer.

What brought you out to Washington?

If RAW isn't enough or too much, I'm the ride director for the 100K (and shorter family ride) "Tour de Lavender" (Lavender Farm Ride) on August 1 in Sequim which is on the North Olympic Peninsula. On August 2, just down the road, is "Ride the Hurricane" which goes to the top of mile-high Hurricane Ridge.

Last year we collided with RAW. Our road markings were in fluorescent purple and the RAW folks came in a few days before the event and overlapped much of our ride with fluorescent pink, which are remarkably close in hue. Many of our riders got extra value by wandering from one route to the other.

..and the 2015 Ride Around Washington starts on the west coast of the state, Ilwaco, and goes mostly down the beautiful Columbia River to finish in Walla Walla. 425 miles in six days. Scenic, historic and spectacular. Extraordinarily supported with hot shower trucks, restaurant truck, haul your gear and full SAG.

Info here: Ride Around Washington | Cascade Bicycle Club

I should consider doing your Lavender tour. I was born in Sequim (left well before the population hit 1500) and haven't been back much since then.