Wally World: Ride for the Birds

Ride Description: Every year tens of thousands of snow geese, several thousand trumpeter swans and many other species of waterfowl as well as many species of raptors (hawks, falcons, and eagles) spend the winter on Fir Island.  This ride is as much about birding as it is riding a bicycle. If we spot a flock of birds at a good viewing distance, we will stop to observe and photograph.  It is suggested that you bring binoculars and, possibly, a camera with a zoom lens. 

This is a steady paced ride (12 – 14 mph) crisscrossing Fir Island in hopes of encountering flocks of snow geese and other birds.  The route is through farmland that is flat as a pancake.  Fir Island is near Conway, WA (I5 exit 221).  We have been given an ok to park in the church parking lot (except on Sundays) but we need to park on the west side of the building beside the basketball hoop. The route is essentially 2 loops which pass the start location at the beginning of each.  As a result, we will take a break (at least 15 minutes) at mile 16 to shed layers of clothing and eat lunch.  There will not be an opportunity to purchase food during the ride, so please remember to bring whatever you would like to eat or drink. The posted route is subject to change depending on where we find birds and how much time we spend watching them.

Neither water nor restrooms are available at the start. Both are available at the I5 rest stop just north of exit 206 and at the Shell station just as you enter Conway. During the ride, a Honey Bucket is available at mile 3 when we stop at the Hayton Reserve to watch birds and a vault toilet is available at mile 14 when we stop at the Skagit State Wildlife refuge.

Please be ready to ride at 10:00. We will start with a required safety briefing and roll out when that's done. If you miss the briefing, you will not be able to ride with the group. Be sure to bring a spare tube as well as the tools and knowledge to fix a flat - we will stay with you while you fix a flat. The route is e-bike friendly, however, if you run out of battery we may not be able to help you. If the roads are wet, please have fenders or plan on riding at the end of the line.

Ride Cancellation: Should conditions require ride cancellation; a notice will be posted on this site by 8:00. In addition to rain, freezing weather, ice or snow on the roadway, or high forecast wind will result in ride cancellation. If cancelled, the ride leader will not be at the start.

We hope you can join us!