Ride Up North, Far up North #1: super-easy 18 Fir Island Miles

This ride is designated #1 in the RUN FUN (RIDE UP NORTH, FAR UP NORTH) series.  It is the most leisurely and flat of all of the RUN FUN rides.

COVID STATEMENT:  all riders are welcome, vaxxed or not.  HOWEVER, IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD THE "JAB", YOU WILL BE EXPECTED TO WEAR A MASK ANYTIME YOU ARE CLOSER THAN SIX (6) FEET OF ANYONE ELSE OFF THE BIKE AND 10-12 FEET ON THE BIKE.  Everyone should carry a mask in case we stop somewhere where the proprietor is still requiring masks.

This ride is suitable for 3 types of riders: 1) those just seeking a really relaxing, scenic, stay-together ride out in the country; 2) those who have been training hard on other rides and are looking for some good "recovery" miles; and 3) those (like your ride leader) who are building base miles, strengthening joints, connective tissues, muscles and the cardio-vascular system in preparation for harder rides to come.

Tired of the traffic and exhaust fumes of urbania?  Join us north of Seattle.  By riding up north, far up north on our RUN FUN rides, you will enjoy the rural views and low to zero traffic of our northwestern counties.  Plus, you may pick up some cycling tips from an ex-coach.  Ride with a former USACycling coach on a RUN FUN super-easy 18 miles on low- to no-traffic, agricultural, Skagit River delta Fir Island.  How easy??  The definition of FLAT is Fir Island. Ideal for the beginning cyclist or anyone just looking for some mellow cruising and building base miles  A bonus is that we may see some Geese and Swans who fly in from far north to overwinter in the Skagit valley, and raptors (hawks, eagles) who lurk about looking for an easy snack.

Ride from the Conway Red Barn Store and Chevron gas station on a 18 mile, essentially flat route at a leisurely pace of 10-12 mph On Fir Island.

Let's meet at the gravel parking lot of the Red Barn store at 11:00 am for our pre-ride safety briefing, with a departure at noon.  Please park in the gravel lot, not on the paved lot in front of the businesses.  Restrooms are available in the Red Barn Store BUT ONLY FOR CUSTOMERS.  So as to maintain our future welcome, please purchase something if you use their restrooms.  There is a Porta Pot across the street at the other gas station.   There are no restrooms once we are on the route.

YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER by clicking the red "Register Now" button above. There is no need to unregister if you decide not to ride.

Bring a spare tube and tools to fix a flat, just in case. Please have full fenders if the roads are wet, or you may be asked to ride at the rear of the group.

NOTE ESP:  THIS RIDE GOES RAIN OR SHINE.  If raining, be prepared accordingly.  RIDE CANCELS ONLY IF:  leader gets sick; it snows or we have really strong, gusting winds; there is a danger of flooding on any of the roads; we have an earthquake of Richter 4.0 or greater within 3 days of the ride in the Puget Sound area or if Godzilla is rampaging around the Island.

Note: if conditions meet the cancellation criterion listed above or if there are unforeseen hazardous riding conditions, the Ride Leader will post a ride-canceled note in the Comments section below at least two hours prior to the start and Ride Leader(s) will not be at the start location.

Feel free to call me with any questions.  425-314-9824

We hope you can join us!