**CANCELLED** A 30-Mile Southern Hood Canal Loop (Moderate)

Let’s meet at the Hood Canal’s Belfair State Park, three miles southwest of Belfair in Mason County, where my white Sprinter will be parked. Please ensure you are present and prepared to cycle out at the specified time above. Before moving forward with the rollout, we will begin with the safety briefing. All riders must attend the safety briefing to participate in the ride.

Parking at Belfair State Park requires a Discovery Pass. An Annual pass ($30) or a One-Day pass ($10) can be purchased at the automated pay station, from a park employee (if available), or online at https://www.discoverpass.wa.gov. Otherwise, park for free at the Mason County boat ramp (map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/i1Uaqod6ujt2Cgtu9) two miles down the road and bike back to the park.

We'll take the Elfendahl Pass Road from the park to Belfair-Tahuya Road. Next, we'll go down Tahuya River Road until we reach the canal. We have been granted the opportunity to enjoy our lunch break at the charming SummerTide Resort and Marina (https://www.summertideresort.com) along the picturesque banks of Hood Canal. After that, we'll return along the canal back to our vehicles. This thirty-mile journey features gentle landscapes and is predominantly flat, with significantly reduced traffic. It's an indulgent yet fulfilling road biking experience!

Note: There aren't many services on this ride, like lunch or snacks for sale, so bring what you need for a lunch break.

Southern Hood Canal stands out as one of the most stunning and sparsely populated areas of Puget Sound. This fjord, formed by glaciers, separates the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas rather than being a canal. Interestingly, it is the only saltwater fjord in the continental United States. No wonder this region is famous for its unique ecosystem, abundant marine life, and recreational opportunities, including fishing, kayaking, hiking, and cycling.

We will climb and descend hills at our own pace, regroup frequently, and limit our speeds on multi-use paths to the legal maximum (usually 15 MPH, occasionally 10 MPH), ensuring a safe and enjoyable ride for all.

The ride will last about three hours, if not less. Belfair State Park and the SummerTide Resort have restrooms and drinking water. Just in case, bring a spare tube and tools to fix a flat. If the roads are wet, please have full fenders, or you may be asked to ride at the group's rear.

Note: If weather conditions meet the weather cancellation criterion listed above or if there are unforeseen hazardous riding conditions 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 canceled at least two hours before the start, the Ride Leader(s) will not be at the start location. Please check before leaving for the ride.

We hope you can join us!