Day 19 - Port Townsend to Port Ludlow - Ferry Good Times: Cycling the Salish Sea

June 16, 2025

Day 19 - Port Townsend to Port Ludlow

Rollers, view blockers, and lots of cars

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Today’s route to Port Ludlow is just a little under 20 miles, so we’ve agreed to leave as late as possible, at 11:00 am. If we time things right, we’ll arrive in Port Ludlow just in time for lunch. Rich is still under the weather, so still driving instead of riding.

Today’s ride, while pretty in places, turns out to be on fairly high traffic roads. In many places, there’s no shoulder to speak of, but drivers are polite and most give us a wide berth, as well as waiting until they have a safe line of sight to pass. Still, I don’t enjoy the ride as much when there’s lots of cars zooming around — the noise, the concern, the constant watchfulness — these reduce the overall pleasure of slow travel.

I don’t take very many pictures today, as most of the roads are lined with view blockers (trees, for those who need translation).

The first real vista comes at the top of a hill, about six miles into the ride. The trees suddenly part, and only a small cement barrier separates us from the cliff and the bay. Then we’re back into the trees again as we descend and then cross over the hills toward the Salish Sea side. Just before we enter Port Ludlow, Mats Mats Bay appears to our left.

I am curious about the bay’s curious name. According to matsmatsbay.com, “The whole Bay is privately owned by the surrounding waterfront property owners, including the seabed itself,” which is an unusual situation in the Puget sound. As far as the name itself, I could find no definite answer. According to the Google AI summary, there are two competing theories about how the bay got its name, but many think that the repetition of the name is to emphasize how hidden it is, since it’s difficult to find the inlet from the sea side.

I’m happy to see Rich at the hotel. He’s already got us checked in, and after a quick shower we meet Gen and Jim in the hotel restaurant for lunch. The food here is good, but the service is very slow and unreliable. Still, it’s “the only game in town,” as Gen likes to say.

The sky is beginning to clear as we ride out at 11:00 AM.

A panoramic view of Discovery Bay from S. Discovery Rd.

Across the street—a platform with a view.

Mats Mats Bay, just north if Port Ludlow.

View from Rich’s and my room (taken with a wide-angle lens)

View from our side window, again taken with a wide-angle lens.

Today’s video

Today's ride: 19 miles (31 km)
Total: 389 miles (626 km)

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