TREATS -- A Late Summer Vashon Ride

The summer of 2018 is winding down, the days are shortening, but it is not too late to savor the quiet rural roads of Vashon Island.  We may see a handful of cars or pickups, but the memorable sightings on this ride could include a horse and rider, a random deer peering from the undergrowth, or herons near the waterline patiently waiting for their prey.  Our ride follows a route laid out years ago by the Seattle Bicycle Touring Club, proceeding down the west side of the island to the hamlet of Burton, taking a lollypop tour of the Burton Peninsula, cruising along the waterfront of Quartermaster Harbor and the east side of the island, and ultimately heading north via the mid-island road from Vashon Center to the ferry dock.  We plan to stop for a light lunch on the beach at Jensen Point County Park, so bring a sandwich or a snack, or money with which to purchase a sandwich at the Burton General Store, which we pass about a mile short of the park.  A coffee stop at the Vashon Coffee Roasterie, where the climbing will be behind us, is also planned. 

We will depart on the 9:30 ferry from Fauntleroy to Vashon.  Plan to arrive at the ferry dock a half hour early, as we will do introductions and the safety briefing before sailing.  Parking is available in nearby Lincoln Park.  It is recommended that you park at the north parking lot (the one farther from the ferry dock), as the parking at the south lot is time-limited.  (Note:  look for the ride leader at the ferry dock, not in the parking lot.)  Or put your bike on a Rapid Ride C bus, which stops at the ferry dock.  Restrooms are available on the ferry, at Jensen Point County Park, and at the coffee stop in Vashon Center.

This is a hilly ride, and we will regroup as necessary at the tops of hills.  The pace is “steady,” i.e., 12 to 14 mph.  This does not mean that our speed will average 12 to 14 mph – given the terrain, our average will be less – but simply that riders should be comfortable with riding at that pace on a flat road without any headwind. 

Steady rain cancels.  If a cancellation is necessary, ride leader will post a notice in the comments section two hours prior to the start.