Ride for Major Taylor 2026

Event Description

Celebrate the legacy of Marshall "Major" Taylor, the Black World Cycling Champion, on Cascade's Ride for Major Taylor. 

Explore the many sides of southern Puget Sound on one of two great routes. If you're looking for a reasonable challenge, the long route will take you through south King County's winding roads along the Sound, on a ferry ride to rural Vashon Island, and back to White Center through West Seattle. Riders looking for a shorter route with cityscape views can select the West Seattle route, which includes jaunts along the Duwamish and Alki Trails. Head back to the finish line for an awesome meal and connecting with other riders.

This event is a fundraiser for Cascade Bicycle Club's education and advocacy programs, including funding for snacks at after-school Major Taylor Project Clubs as well as support for Major Taylor Project students' participation in the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic presented by Alaska Airlines.

Registration Details

Registration is open from February 3 to Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Prices increase $15 starting April 21.

Sorry, there is no registration available at the start line.

Route support, souvenir, and finisher meal are included with registration. See details below.

Packet Pickup & Mailing

If you register by April 20, your packet will be mailed to your primary address. If it does not arrive, please see us at the start line tent.

If you registered between April 21 and 30, your packet is available at the start line.

Route

There are two routes: 26 and 62 miles.

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. 

You may select either route 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.

Click through to see the full map on Ride With GPS.

Route Conditions

This ride happens on public roads and shared multi-use paths. The route is not closed to other traffic.

Long route riders can expect the following conditions and situations, among others:

• Steep hills with a 10-13% gradient
• Narrow, uphill bridge crossing
• Numerous railroad track crossings

Short route riders can expect the following:

• Left turns at signalled intersections
• A railroad crossing
• A mile-long climb near the end of the route

Event Schedule

Parking

Parking is available at Cascade Middle School and Evergreen High School, just down the street from the start line. Neighborhood streetside parking is also available, where posted. Please do not park at the White Center Bicycle Playground parking lot.

Ferries

If you select the long route, you will have your ferry fares included in their registration fee. Your rider bib acts as your pass onto the first ferry. Check in with the Cascade volunteer to get swiped through the toll booth in Tacoma. There is no charge for bicyclists traveling from Vashon to Fauntleroy.

Ferries depart from Point Defiance at 9:15 a.m., 10:05 a.m., 10:55 a.m., 11:45 a.m., and 12:35 p.m. Boarding outside of these times means you will have to pay your own fare.

You may board any ferry from Vashon to Fauntleroy within course support hours.

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

Rest Stops: Located at miles 19.9 and 38.5 of the long route and mile 15.7 of the short route.

You can refill your water and electrolyte bottles and enjoy light snacks that will power you for the second half of the ride. Fare includes energy bars, chips, nuts, fruit, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. 

Gluten free and vegan snacks and sandwiches are available.

Finish line: Enjoy a meal from local eateries at the finish line, included in your registration!

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 in White Center. Bike shops are present along the route on Vashon Island and near Alki Beach.

Weather

Wear layers and be prepared for a chance of rain. Morning and afternoon temperatures may vary widely. 

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

E-Bikes

E-bikes of all classes are permitted on the long route, as that route is entirely along public roads. Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are permitted on the short route, which utilizes multi-use trails.

Training

To help you prepare for this ride, you can 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. 

Volunteer At This Event

Help make this event a success by volunteering! 

The hard work and passion that volunteers bring to Cascade make our Free Group Rides program, major rides (like this one!), advocacy work, and education programs possible. 

Become part of the Cascade volunteer family and make a lasting impact on building a better cycling world for all!