Vashon Island and Burton Loop (Moderate)

Let's meet at the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal for a 30-mile tour around Vashon Island at a Moderate (14-16mph) pace. Be in the bicycle loading area at the end of the ferry dock before 9:00am to board the 9:10 ferry. We'll have the required safety briefing once we land on Vashon and roll out after the cars have unloaded to avoid traffic on the hill up from the ferry dock.  All riders must attend the safety briefing to participate..

If you are driving to the ride, cars should park in the upper parking lot at Lincoln Park (8001 Fauntleroy Way SW, marked on the Route Map) and bike down. Parking is not available at the ferry terminal itself and the lower Lincoln Park lot closest to the ferry dock is frequently full and has a 4hr limit that is enforced. Depending on the ferry schedule and rider speed, we could be longer than 4hrs and the upper lot does not have a time limit. 

The ride starts with probably our toughest climb of the day right from the ferry dock. We'll then cruise down the west side of Vashon Island following Westside road and Wax Orchard Road to the junction with Vashon Highway near the south end. We'll turn and head back up Vashon highway to Burton for our restroom and coffee stops. After refreshing ourselves, we'll then cruise around quartermaster harbor to the eastside of Vashon and then back up to Vashon Center and the highway back to the ferry terminal. We'll aim for either the 12:40 or 1:40 ferry return depending on route, group pace, and ferry on-time performance. Note there's an 100minute gap in the schedule after 1:40, so we don't want to miss that one. This trip does not include a stop at the lighthouse or troll on Maury Island.

We will climb and descend hills at our own pace, and we will regroup at the top of major hills (marked on the route map). Restrooms are available at the start of the ride both at Fauntleroy and Vashon ferry terminals as well as on the ferry itself. We will stop along the way for restrooms at miles at Jenson Beach (17.5) and Vashon library (25.3) if needed. We’ll plan on stopping for coffee/snacks at Burton coffee stand at mile 18.8. Duration of coffee stop will depend on which ferry we are trying to make on the return.

Bring a spare tube and tools to fix a flat, just in case. Other things to bring: phone; ID; cash and/or credit card for ferry ticket; ORCA card; water and a small snack. Ferry fare for adult with bicycle is $7.50 roundtrip, $4.25 for seniors. Please have full fenders if the roads are wet, or you may be asked to ride at the rear of the group.

Note: If weather conditions meet the weather cancellation criterion listed above or if there are unforeseen hazardous riding conditions such as hard frost or other unexpected events, the Ride Leader will cancel the ride and all registered riders will be sent a notification email. If the ride is cancelled at least two hours before the start, Ride Leader(s) will not be at the start location. Please check before leaving for the ride.