Tacoma, WA Riding Pointers
 

Looks like I may be moving from "beautiful" west Texas to the Tacoma area (wife wants to live across the Tacoma Narrows bridge, actually). Looking for any road riding tips for the area. Reputable LBS, regular or not-so-regular group rides, mechanics of riding in wet conditions (brake pads, wet-weather lubes, clothing, etc) vice the hot/dry/dusty conditions I'm in here, what is the terrain like, etc. I'm riding a compact crank, so rolling hills are no problem.
Thanks in advance -

Check out the Tacoma Wheelmen (twbc.org) for some local rides--mostly an older crowd there--the club has been in existence since 1888. Usually 2-4 rides to choose from over the weekend. Also the Cascade bicycle club has tons of rides, mostly based out of the Seattle, North end area, but they are a much larger (and more politically active) groug with more organized rides. (www.cascade.org) Usually a dozen rides to choose from over the weekend. Good local LBS are spoke and sprocket in university place.(http://www.spokeandsprocket.com/) They also do a regular club ride on Saturdays 8:00, anyone is welcome. Also another good LBS is Old Town, they have two shops one in Gig Harbor and one in Old Town Tacoma. (http://oldtownbicycle.com/). My local favorite is Rainier Cycle in Proctor (Tacoma)--its walking distance to my house. (http://www.rainiercycle.com/index.htm) For rainy weather get fenders and full-fingered gloves and avoid manhole covers, painted lane markers, and RR tracks. Topography: generally steep hills near the water 2-300 ft, but lots of river valleys for flat riding. Near my house, its flat in tacoma, but as you get towards the water there are steep hills of short duration 9-11% grade and 1/3 mile or less. You can ride across the bridge now, which is a bonus, because ther is very good riding in Gig Harbor and lands north. Good Luck.

I lived in Texas for 5 years. Riding in Washington is wetter and hillier, but with lots less wind and lots less heat in the summer.

Here's a link to some more routes around the state. This is a directory of routes fomr a Seattle-based club, but they do have some routes in your area: www.seattlebiketours.org/members/library.html

When you get ready for basic wet-weather gear, try one of the REI stores in the area (like the flagship store in downtown Seattle). They stock a lot of wet-weather riding gear, esp. in the winter. On many group rides you'll be expected to show up w/fenders or Race Blades, unless you want to ride at the back...One other thing to consider -- you might consider riding w/a blinky if you don't already; we have a lot of gray / gloomy days in the fall and winter, when it's perfectly OK to be out riding but you might want a little extra visibility.

Thanks for the help!
See you there

Welcome!

I'm in Seattle. I can't talk about the scene in Tacoma, but I can tell you to be prepared for the weather.. as Benge said, a nice pair of SKS Race Blaes can't hurt. Pretty soon you just get used to the rain. The day after Thanksgiving I went for a 66-mile ride in 36 degree pouring rain with two layers, spandex shorts, and no gloves.. hahahah wow that was a great idea. Still fun, though.

Right on with what others said about wet weather riding. I too like Old Towne cycles...they just opened a store in Olympia this past winter. There is also a Capital City riding club down in Olympia that has weekday after work rides.

Welcome to the northwest