Seattle area biking destination recommendation?
 

We'll be in Seattle on July 1st, which will give us a free day to spend before the Northwest Tandem Rally.

Any local Washingtonian with recommendations on where and how we should spend that day/night before heading up to Bellingham?

Bainbridge, San Juan, or Olympic peninsula worth a trip on such a short stay?

Thanks,
CJ

Whidby Island is a nice ride - and that puts you in the direction of Bellingham. There are a bunch of loops out of Snohomish that are fun. Might want to take the ferry over to Southworth and ride back across the Narrows and up Vashon.

Here Seattle Bicycle Club - Maps Library is a listing with most of the classic rides people out here do. Whatever you end up with, that time of year you'll have fun.

We'll see you there, CJ. My wife, son and I will be on our Santana triplet.

We're doing the Santana San Juan rally, and then coming in to do the NWTR....

Mark Russell
Tucson, AZ

Due to stoker foot injury we had to bail on the NTWR and all our other planned tandem events this summer.

Since there are no worthwhile NWTR rides until Saturday, I had posted a Glacier-to-Mt Baker ride with the ETC (Evergreen Tandem Club) and some PennyWise friends for Thurs, July 2nd, but obviously had to cancel our attendance for this one too. Mt Baker is an awesome ride/climb if they day is sunny and you have the legs + good brakes. I think some teams might still be doing this ride, if the weather is clear. IMO, it would be one of those "top rides" you'd never forget.

My vote.. Ferry to the San Juan Islands..

No longer to the point but our visit to the area 2 yrs ago included visiting friends on Whidbey and (multiple curses here) the road to the southern ferry ride
goes right past the Boeing plant where 777s are made and tours are available. I was surprised at how undeveloped Whidbey was.

Depends on where you're going to spend the night and how much you want to do. Previous suggestions all good. Also Granite Falls to Barlow Pass and back is a classic forested ride.

Thanks for all the great tips.
The San Juan sounds nice, but I am not sure we want to add a ferry ride on such a short trip.
Since we'll be by the water in Bellingham, I think we'll probably find a forested/mountain ride for that extra day for variety. Barlow pass or Mt Baker depending on where we can find nice accommodation (my stoker has developed a taste for rooms with a view).

Mark,
I am envious that you are able ride with your son. We have been riding with ours since before he could walk. But now at 14, he much prefer computer games with his friends than long bike rides with his parents. For this trip we are shipping him off to vacation with his cousins before leaving for Washington.
See you there,

CJ

We travel to Seattle quite a bit. All the above suggestions are great. If you want to stay close to Seattle before the rally, you might want to consider going to Vashon Island. Just a short 15 minute ferry ride and the roads are really quiet. Park on the Seattle side and ride your bike onto the ferry.
It is always fun to do a spin around Mercer island and incorporate an Out N' Back on the I-90 bridge. Great views and plenty of good restaurants on both islands.
If you need a really good bike shop in Seattle, I recommend Branford Bike. I have used them for years.