June 7, 2025
Gravel Surprise
Bellingham to Anacortes; Drive Day
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It was an awesome day for a ride but alas, it was my turn to drive.
So a quick recap of the ride: the route was changed at the last minute because the original had us riding through on Chuckanut Rd. but it is closed, so Jim redid everything to detour around that. When I was doing a driving route sheet there were lots and lots of intersections to navigate. It is daunting, driving unfamiliar roads in an unfamiliar vehicle. However it all worked out-I only missed 1 turn and quickly figured it out.
The group rode out of Bellingham on Chuckanut Rd. then turn off and headed up a climb away from the water towards I-5. I parked at the top of the hill and was impressed at how quickly they came over the top, all together and looking strong.
The ride then went through a maze of rural, forested roads that wound around seemingly randomly. I tried to stop every 5 miles or so just in case someone needed something. Each time they passed me without stopping, having a great ride.
I was surprised when Wood Rd. became gravel along with “primitive road” signage. I stopped and checked Google maps and yes, I was on the correct road so I texted the group to expect a gravel adventure. When they “hop-scotched” with me a while later they again all looked happy and undaunted.
The next portion of the ride was through farmland and quite windy. I was waiting for the group just past the town of Edison and got a text that they had stopped at a bakery a couple of miles back. I figured it was in Edison and drove back there but never found them. Apparently I didn’t go back quite far enough.
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Since the route was soon taking them onto the Padilla Bayshore Trail and the Tommy Thompson Parkway, both multiuse trails, I elected at that point to just drive on to Anacortes.
Later I asked them all for their highlights of the day-for Jim, it was the surprise gravel adventure on Wood Rd. For Amber it was the Padilla Bayshore Trail, due to the varying environments on either side of it. And Rich, he was man enough to admit it was the bakery stop.
I was able to check in early at the Marina Motel in Anacortes. I unpacked my bike and our stuff and then texted Jim to let him know which room, but the text disappeared into the ether and he never received it. When he got to the motel they said I wasn’t there and he tried texting me, but I never received those texts so he ended up checking in again. I happen to hear bikes in the hall and looked out and saw them. It turned out that for some reason, they checked me in under my middle name. IAC, we got a refund for the second room. The missing texts have never materialized.
While waiting for the group to arrive, I consulted my sister-in-law, Ann, about good restaurants here-she and Jim’s brother, Jon, are in Anacortes often because they have a boat. We ate at Adrift per her advice, and it was excellent.
Tomorrow we catch the 10:30 ferry to Friday Harbor and will do a loop ride around a portion of San Juan Island.
Today's ride: 40 miles (64 km)
Total: 205 miles (330 km)
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