Ride Director: Warner Griswold
Ride Co-Director: Alice Carter
Ride Driver: Jim Van De Vreugde
Report by: Lary Schiller
Ode To Pacific Islands of the Northwest BAC trip, Dedicated to Warner Griswold
We 23 came like a small herd of cattle
We drove and we flew and arrived in Seattle
We’re all sizes and shapes with bikes that fit right
Only our bike shorts fit a bit tight.
Warner, the Griswold, at the Happy Hour meeting
Welcomed us all with a BAC greeting
We met old friends and new and we felt quite at home,
When Nancy included us all in her poem.
Who would have thought for this vacation
We all would need a vaccination.
And Canada would close the border
But Warner said- “You’re out of order
This tour goes on come rain or shine
My reputation’s on the line.
He handed us a bag of swag,
A shirt, containers and a cleaning rag.
And if you want to reduce your fee.
Don’t forget the magic key.
We could order all we pleased,
Except the booze at Anthony’s.
Then next day our merry club
Got off the train at U. Of Dub
And looped around Lake Washington
But like the Beatles sang, “Here Comes the Sun”
After 46 miles in the blazing heat
Two ferry rides to rest our feet
And find relief from that devil sun.
Then Paulsbo gave a warm VelKomm
We shed our tights to find some cool
Takk Gott there was a swimming pool.
Next day was beastly hot and hilly
But then a pleasant breeze
The Hood Canal bridge was kinda chilly
And the bike path lined with trees
And there was Sequim, a welcome sight.
Leave out the “e”; pronounce it right
Next day most rode an easy loop,
But there’s always some nut in the group.
Mike started up to Hurricane Ridge
He thought he had endurance.
You’re not in college any more
Take out some hill insurance.
Like Judy, Lary, Warner, Randy
They find their e-bikes very handy
They flatten roads that once were steep
We raise our fists- “Power to the Peop-le!
Two car-free trails just hit the spot
Olympic Discovery and Larry Scott.
Covering clouds and a cooling trend
As we roll into Port Townsend.
Look out to Juan De Fuca Strait
Seafaring town, look lively mate
At the historic sites as well,
And 2 nights at the Swan Hotel.
Back in the saddle- next destination
Penultimate town on our vacation
Whidbey and Fidalgo Isles
Another scenic 40 miles
But now we start to feel our ass
As we cross Deception Pass
It’s not that we feel so deceived,
But when we’re through we feel relieved.
And finally after all our ardor
It’s Thursday eve at Friday Harbor.
This lovely trip from start to end
San Juan, Lopez, and Orcas lend
Amazing roads on which to wend.
Lavender fields and dark green hills
The ups are tough, the downs are thrills
Beauty surrounds, we’ve not a care
And water, water everywhere.
Each night at five a team of four
Puts out the snacks for Happy hour
We all must work and carry loads
What do you think? This is Backroads?
Nancy, Christy, and Jennifer showed us their art
To their talent we give a shout out
Their pictures, clothes and jewelry
Martha Stewart, eat your heart out.
He’s the tallest, she’s the smallest
And their brims and bikes are cute.
Dennis usually in the lead
And Marita in hot pursuit.
The routes they never have to guess.
The Mobergs are mavens of Ride with GPS
Elaine and Boyd always practice safe sex,
The reason isn’t random.
‘Cause every time they start to mount
They always use a tandem.
Helmets off to Warner, super host,
And Jim and Alice too.
I’d raise a toast to the rest of you,
But I’ve taken too much time.
Cause Loren, Mary, Alex, Jackie, Vicky, David, Jim, Jane, and Jenn,
Just don’t rhyme.
Our adventure ends back in SeaTac
I know we can’t have these times back.
But the memories we can retain
Somewhere in our heart and brain.
I hope you’ve like my little verse,
It could be better, it can’t be worse.
So if the meters bad, and the rhymes are sillier
It’s the tripper report from Lary Schiller.
June 24th to July 6th, 2021
Bicycle Adventure Club
PO BOX 23998 San Diego, CA 92193
Telephone (858) 715-9510 office@bicycleadventureclub.org