Tenchi
Well-known member
I headed up to the San Juan Is for a camping trip over the July 4 long weekend - and boy, what an amazing ride it was.
I loaded up the bike with gear for two people (had someone with me, but she didn't have capabilities for any kind of cargo bar a backpack), and set out. Our start point was Everett, where we headed to Mukilteo. From there we caught the ferry across, rode the entire length of Whidbey Is, 65 mi of rolling hills and beautiful countryside, followed by a quick trip across the ferry at Anacortes to Friday Harbor. The temperatures approached the low 80's inland, which was a little on the warm side for my riding buddy but I made sure that we stayed hydrated and rested when needed.
After pitching a tent and camping the night, my riding buddy and I took to the island roads again, and circled the island, taking our time and enjoying the view. Sunday was basically the reverse of Friday, with an hour wait at Friday Harbor for the ferry in the morning.
Normally I'd put this in the ride report section or something like that, but really - my ride wasn't a motorcycle so I don't know if it counts.
There's about 75 lbs of gear strapped to that bicycle, which combined with a 25 lb bicycle meant I was hauling 100 lbs of bike and gear up and down 3000 ft of elevation, ~80 mi one way from end to end - about the same elevation gain from the SW entrance of Mt. Rainer to Paradise. All up my riding buddy and I rode 205 mi over 3 days, with over 8000 ft of elevation gain, most of that with me towing all the gear.
Best quotes:
"How the hell are you doing these hills?!" (her bike had zero cargo capacity, and she was struggling with getting up and down the hills. She basically collapsed at the other end of the ride.)
This little gem.
Either way, I had a great time riding around there, and even spotted a FJR on the island while there (apparently he is not a member of the forum though).
Rest of the photos are here: https://s132.photobucket.com/albums/q20/rho...n_Is/?start=all
Hope you all had a great July 4th. Happy independence day!
I loaded up the bike with gear for two people (had someone with me, but she didn't have capabilities for any kind of cargo bar a backpack), and set out. Our start point was Everett, where we headed to Mukilteo. From there we caught the ferry across, rode the entire length of Whidbey Is, 65 mi of rolling hills and beautiful countryside, followed by a quick trip across the ferry at Anacortes to Friday Harbor. The temperatures approached the low 80's inland, which was a little on the warm side for my riding buddy but I made sure that we stayed hydrated and rested when needed.
After pitching a tent and camping the night, my riding buddy and I took to the island roads again, and circled the island, taking our time and enjoying the view. Sunday was basically the reverse of Friday, with an hour wait at Friday Harbor for the ferry in the morning.
Normally I'd put this in the ride report section or something like that, but really - my ride wasn't a motorcycle so I don't know if it counts.
There's about 75 lbs of gear strapped to that bicycle, which combined with a 25 lb bicycle meant I was hauling 100 lbs of bike and gear up and down 3000 ft of elevation, ~80 mi one way from end to end - about the same elevation gain from the SW entrance of Mt. Rainer to Paradise. All up my riding buddy and I rode 205 mi over 3 days, with over 8000 ft of elevation gain, most of that with me towing all the gear.
Best quotes:
"How the hell are you doing these hills?!" (her bike had zero cargo capacity, and she was struggling with getting up and down the hills. She basically collapsed at the other end of the ride.)
This little gem.
Either way, I had a great time riding around there, and even spotted a FJR on the island while there (apparently he is not a member of the forum though).
Rest of the photos are here: https://s132.photobucket.com/albums/q20/rho...n_Is/?start=all
Hope you all had a great July 4th. Happy independence day!
