An Early Autumn Ride on Vashon Island (Steady)

Join us at the the Fauntleroy Ferry Dock, from where we will sail to Vashon and then loop around the island on a 29.5 mile route at a steady pace (12-14 mph).

We will do the safety briefing after disembarking the ferry on Vashon Island.  All riders must participate in the safety briefing in order to participate in the ride.

This is a fall ride, but we hope to ignore the calendar and catch one of the last stray days of summer.  Vashon Island, though it's only a short ferry ride away, provides a quiet contrast to Seattle's urban buzz.  Teens sculling in Quartermaster Harbor, deer peering from the undergrowth, herons standing patient near the shoreline -- we may see some or all of these as we tour this rural island.  We proceed down the west side of the island, riding by the former Misty Isle Farms, then take a lollypop spin onto the Burton Peninsula (we take a short "picnic" break there, at Jensen Point Park).  After the "picnic," we pause briefly in the historic Chautauqua neighborhood and then head north to Vashon Center, where we catch the mid-island road leading back to the ferry dock.  

Bring a sandwich or snack for the "picnic," or bring money to purchase food at the Burton General Store, which is about one mile before the lunch stop at Jensen Point Park.  Time permitting, we may stop for coffee/snacks at a coffee shop in Vashon's commercial center (mile 25).

Let's meet at the Fauntleroy Ferry Dock at 9:00, which will give us time to purchase tickets and be prepared to board for the 9:30 ferry departure.  We'll do the safety talk at the other end of the crossing, while waiting for vehicular traffic to clear.

We will climb and descend hills at our own pace, and our plan will be to regroup frequently. 

Restrooms are available at the start, and on the ferry.  Restrooms and water are available at the lunch stop at Jensen Point Park (mile 18).

Parking is available at Lincoln Park.  Park in the north parking lot (the first lot one comes to heading south on Fauntleroy Way), and ride to the ferry dock.  Parking in the south parking lot is time limited, and the limit is enforced.  Or take the Rapid Ride C bus, which stops at the ferry dock.

Bring a spare tube and tools to fix a flat, just in case.

Note: If weather conditions meet the weather cancellation criterion listed in the Weather Status or if there are unforeseen hazardous riding conditions or other unexpected events, the Ride Leader will post a ride-canceled note in the Comments section below at least two hours prior to the start and Ride Leader(s) will not be at the start location.

We hope you can join us!