Islands of the Pacific Northwest

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

Ride Description

OVERVIEW:
You’ll never be far from the ocean during this tour in the Pacific Northwest.  It’s a treat for the senses, as you’ll enjoy seeing sparkling waters and rocky shorelines, smelling the salt air and the aromatic forests, listening to the waves lapping on the shore, feeling the wind in your hair, and tasting the wonderful local seafood.  Included in this tour are the San Juan Islands, recently listed by USA Today as one of “The World’s Top Bike Rides” where we have the opportunity to watch the Fourth of July fireworks from the rooftop of our hotel in Friday Harbor! This will be the fifth time this popular tour has been offered to BAC members.

RIDE DESCRIPTION:

Day 1: Arrival Day – Seattle, Washington

We recommend flying into SeaTac Airport (SEA) Our first gathering will be at the Holiday Inn Express at the SeaTac airport.

Days 2 Lake Washington Loop ~40 miles 1,700’

We will ride a short distance back to the airport and catch the light rail that will take us to the campus of University of Washington, where we will catch the Burke-Gilman trail and work our way around the northern part of Washington Lake back to Seattle. We will end the day by taking the light rail back to our hotel.

Day 3 Seattle to Poulsbo ~46 miles 2,500’

We will ride 13 miles to the Fauntleroy ferry terminal to the Southworth ferry terminal where we will ride north and along the shoreline over to Annapolis, WA where we will catch a short ferry over to the US Navy base of Bremerton, we will then continue to Poulsbo.

Day 4 Poulsbo to Sequim. ~45 miles & 2,500’ gain

Today we will ride north and cross the Hood canal, which is a strange looking bridge, and continue north until we catch the Olympic Discovery trail to Sequim

Day 5 is an off day if you wish. However, there is a nice ride on the Olympic Discovery Trail to Port Angeles (lunch?), and those who want a challenge, they can ride into Olympic National Park- 38 miles round trip from Port Angeles & 5,475’ Bring your Nation Park Pass.

Day 6 – Sequim to Port Townsend – 45 miles

In the morning we'll leave Sequim and rejoin the car-free Olympic Discovery Trail that will take us around Discovery Bay.  After a few road miles we'll pick up another car-free trail to enter Port Townsend.

Day 7 – Port Townsend, Choice Day

With its maritime heritage, artistic spirit and a touch of urban chic, Port Townsend has activities for every taste.  Fort Worden Historical State Park is located just a couple of miles from our hotel and features a fascinating military history, expansive parade lawns and restored Victoran-era officers’ homes, plus 2 miles of beachfront and high bluffs with spectacular views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  If you’re a movie buff, this is also the location where An Officer and a Gentleman was filmed.  For those who are looking for more cycling miles, we offer a loop ride that also includes scenic Fort Flagler State Park.

Day 8 – Port Townsend to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island – 40 miles

We’ll depart Port Townsend on the ferry to Coupeville, and then ride up Whidbey Island to experience the dramatic Deception Pass State Park.  After absorbing the view, we’ll continue our ride on Fidalgo Island to Anacortes where we catch another ferry to take us to Friday Harbor.  There is approximately 2,300 ft. of climbing this day.  You’ll have the rest of the day to explore this beautiful island with its many miles of scenic rural roads, historic points and its fabulous ocean vistas.

Days 9 - 11- San Juan Islands, Choice Days

We’ll stay based in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island to give you an opportunity to once again customize your trip.  Many riders will want to take one of the free ferries to Orcas Island, Lopez Island and/or Shaw Island to explore their spectacular beauty.  Others may select to go sea kayaking, sailing, whale watching, hiking or just relaxing with some “island time.”  On the 4th of July we’ll have a front row seat from the rooftop of our hotel to enjoy the spectacular fireworks over the bay.

Day 12 – Friday Harbor to Seattle

We will take the ferry over to Anacortes and a 40-passenger bus will be waiting to take us back to our hotel at SeaTac.

Day 13 – Departure

Our tour may be over at the end of the day, but the memories and friendships we made will last a lifetime.

RIDE RATING:
This tour has 4 required ride days and 7 choice days where participants can choose their destinations.  The majority of the routes follow lightly traveled roads with rolling terrain.  While there are no long sustained climbs on this tour, you will have frequent use of your lowest gears.  On this bike tour you and your bike will be making 4 scenic ferry crossings, and more depending on the choices you make on your choice days.

LOGISTICS:
If you arrive by air, use SeaTac international Airport (SEA) The Holiday Inn Express has a shuttle from the airport. This hotel will also be our final overnight location. You may ship your bikes ahead to the hotel (check with Warner), and you may also leave your empty bike boxes at the hotel during our bike tour. The hotel provides parking. The costs of the ferries are not included.  Estimated cost for four (4) ferries is $63 and less for seniors.  There is not charge for ferries within the San Juan Islands for bikes and passengers.

WEATHER: 
Weather at this time of year is usually great, with highs between the upper 70’s to mid 80’s, and lows in the mid 50’s to low 60’s.  Statistically there is very little rain at this time of year, but with climate change you never know.  Plan on rain just to be safe!

SINGLES:
On this bike tour we can only accommodate 2 singles at the listed price and who will share a room with a roommate.  (This is due to the fact that two of the hotels we use, for a total of 6 nights, have limited bedding options.)  

ADMINISTRATION and REGISTRATION:
The estimated cost of this bike tour is $2,250 plus the $50 BAC registration fee.  Ferry fees are each rider's responsibility.  This cost includes 12 nights lodging, 2 group dinners, 6 breakfasts, RideWithGPS tracks which provides downloads to gpx tracks, and to smart phones.  One can also print out cue sheets if they wish.  Luggage will be transported on required ride days, there will be 12 social hours with snacks and beverages.  Register by clicking on the Sign-Up link above the Ride Description.  After the Ride Director has accepted your application, you will be moved from the Wait List to the Pending List.  At this time, you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee and the initial tour deposit of $1600.00 by credit card.  As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List.  To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description. Final payment of $650 is due no later than March 1, 2022

CANCELLATION POLICY:
The BAC ride registration fee and payment processing fee is not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled due to participation below stated minimum requirements.  Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations.  If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in

addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the canceling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

RIDE PARTICIPATION RESPONSIBILITY: 
If you’re new to BAC bike tours, you should know that we expect our participants to be competent cyclists who can provide much of their own support while on the tour.  Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles.  All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour.  Please be sure to read the ride description carefully, respond promptly to calls for payments and emails from the ride leader.  While on the ride, consider offering to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation.  All our Ride Leaders are volunteers, and we ask that participants respect their decisions.

Before participating in any BAC tour, members should review their medical coverage and assess whether what you have is sufficient. If it isn’t, you should purchase additional travel medical coverage. BAC maintains a policy that provides coverage for expenses related to medical emergencies and repatriation when members are on tours outside the US and their home country. The policy ceases to be applicable if a member makes a personal deviation (e.g., makes a side trip not related to the planned BAC tour), has limits on expenses covered for family members and only applies for 45 days following departure from home. There is also limited coverage for medical expenses associated with accidents incurred by US residents when on tours within the US. None of the policies maintained by BAC will cover costs associated with self-quarantines that may be government mandated. Members should also ensure that vaccinations are up to date (e.g., annual influenza, tetanus, etc.). If travelling outside your home country you may wish to consult with a travel physician or nurse to ensure that the appropriate vaccinations are up to date.