Ride from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. and Party

Event Description

Pedal on some of the most beautiful roads and trails western Washington has to offer. Enjoy epic views of the Cascade mountain range, Skagit Valley farmlands, and the Salish Sea before crossing into Canada. The two-day ride concludes with riding through British Columbia and connecting with its many greenways, bike lanes and award-winning bike infrastructure on your way into downtown Vancouver, B.C. Come celebrate the return of this flagship Cascade ride!

This event is a fundraiser for Cascade Bicycle Club's programming in advocacy, education, and community rides, such as the Major Taylor Project, Let's Go, Your Streets Your Say, and Pedaling Relief Project.

Border Crossing & Customs

U.S. citizens crossing from Canada into the United States via land travel need to present either:

• A passport, a passport card, a WHTI-compliant document, or
• An Enhanced Driver License

You can read more from US government agencies on crossing U.S. borders and crossing into Canada.

Permanent residents of the U.S. will need to present other documents to enter Canada and re-enter the United States. Read more from USCIS.

Some people are inadmissible—they are not allowed to travel to Canada. Several things can make you inadmissible, including involvement in criminal activity or organized crime and human rights violations. You can also be inadmissible for security, health, or financial reasons. If you have committed or been convicted of a criminal offense, you may not be allowed to enter Canada. For more details check out the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website.

Registration

Registration opens: Tuesday, March 7 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific for members and on April 4 for non-members.

Registration closes: Sunday, August 13 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.  

Register by July 31 and your rider packet will arrive the week before the event. If you register between August 1 and August 13, your packet will be available at the start line.

Register in advance online. There is no registration available on the day of the ride.

Your registration fee covers your entry, packet mailing, access to rest stops, ride support, mechanic services, baggage truck service, a beverage at the midpoint in Bellingham, a meal at the finish line, and a souvenir. Parking, return bus & bike transport sold as add-ons. Lodging arrangements are made directly with hosts.

Route

The route is 184 miles long and is split into two days. There is no support for a one-day option.

Maps below subject to change. We encourage you to wait until the day before the event to download these maps to your preferred device for easy access on the day of the event. 

Printed cue sheets are available at the start line tents. The route is marked with navigational markings on the road surface.

 

Event Schedule

	Opens	Closes
Saturday
Late Packet Pickup	6 a.m.	7:15 a.m.
Bag Drop	6 a.m.	7:15 a.m.
Start Line	6:30 a.m.	7:30 a.m.
Course Support	6:30 a.m.	6 p.m.
Midpoint Stop	1 p.m	6 p.m.
Sunday
Bag Drop	6 a.m.	7:15 a.m.
Start Line	6:30 a.m.	7:30 a.m.
Border Crossing	8 a.m.	--
Course Support	6:30 a.m.	6 p.m.
Finish Line	1 p.m.	6 p.m.

Transportation

Post-Ride Bus

Transportation from Vancouver, B.C. to UW in Seattle for you and your bike from the finish line can be purchased as add-ons to your registration. Buses are available on Monday to return you to to the parking lot at UW, Seattle. Due to limited availability of bike trucks this year, there is no separate option for bike transportation. If you are returning home by air or train, purchase delivery of your bike box to the finish line.

Read more for transportation details.

Service	Price
Bus & Bike Transportation	$100
Bike Box Transportation	$20
Bike Storage	$20/day
Start Line Parking (Sat-Mon)	$30

Inclusion

Everyone is welcome at Cascade events. We are committed to celebrating and promoting diversity in the bicycling community. We aim to provide safe spaces at start lines, finish lines, and official rest stops. Read our commitment to anti-racism and our participant code of conduct and grievance policy.

We would like to acknowledge that our rides take place on native land. Our offices are located on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present.

Food & Breaks

A full selection of snacks, fruit, and PB&Js are available to you at official rest stops. There are three major rest stops on day one and two on the second day, where you can also find bathrooms, First Aid, and mechanics.

Many unofficial rest stops pop up along the route and you are welcome to enjoy these community-created treats.

Where to Stay

You can arrange for lodging near the Seattle start line, Bellingham midpoint, or Vancouver, B.C., Canada finish line.

 

Support During the Ride

This ride is supported by Cascade staff and volunteers, local community group volunteers, and municipal and county services.

Support and gear (SAG) vehicles are present on the route and dispatched when you call the ride support hotline. SAG vehicles can transport you and most models of bikes in the event of a mechanical or minor medical event. You should always call 911 in a life-threatening emergency.

Outriders are volunteers in white, green, and black jerseys that ride on the route, assisting you with minor mechanical and minor medical issues, like cuts and scrapes, dispensing advice and directions, and helping you to Ride S.M.A.R.T. 

Medical riders are volunteers on bike in red and blue jerseys that can assist you with minor medical issues like cuts and scrapes, dehydration, sprained joints, and other non-life threatening issues. 

Mechanics are posted at the start line and at most official rest stops.

Weather

August weather can bring many things: rain, extreme heat, and lots of sun. Morning temperatures may vary drastically from midday temperatures. Wear or bring layers to have available on your bike with you.

Get your bike tuned up and in shape to ride in slick, rainy, low-visibility conditions. Bring front and rear lights, backup batteries, install fenders, service your brakes, and clean your chain.

E-Bikes

Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are permitted on this ride, which utilizes multi-use trails.

Training

The Cascade Training Series is a twelve-week ride series designed to prepare you for RSVP. Riders of all paces will not only building their strength and endurance, but also their confidence.

To help you prepare for this ride, you can also check out our extensive schedule of Free Group Rides in the Puget Sound area. Find rides that fit your schedule and desired pace and distance.