Mike Mcquaide - 75 Classic Rides Washington. The Best Road Biking Routes

Artist Point, at the end of the Mount Baker Highway

A huge shout-out of thanks, gratitude, and appreciation to the numerous bike clubs, bike shops, and cycling-obsessed individuals who helped me tremendously, by offering route suggestions and/or their camaraderie and good cheer. Space wont allow me to mention all of them here but what the heck, Ill give it a try anyway. Here goes!

John Clark and Scott Young (the Titanium Cowboys), Kathleen McQuaide and dog Roy, Brian Cantwell at the Seattle Times, Paul Haskins and Alaine Borgias at Adventures NW Magazine, Charlie Heggem, Steve Noble, Tammy Bennett, Glenn Gervais, Daryl Smith, Erik DeRoche, Steven VanderStaay, Ryan Rickerts, Mark Rhode, Jim Clevenger, Chris Behee, Bob Stanton, Sue Duffy, Tracy Erbeck, Mark Peterson, Rick Schranck, Joe Schretenthaler, Tom Meloy, David Longdon, Carol Noble-Potts, Mark Clausen, Corrina Marote, G. Todd Williams, Scott Rittscher, Luke Britton, Jim Kelly, Christopher Fast, Justin Yeager, Karla Segale, Lap Lai, Mike Sirott, Andy Kindig, Jake Maedke, Carla Andringa, Mark Thomas, Craig Langley, Ray Pope, Geoff Swarts, Kimberley Brittain, Charlie Naismith, Narayan Krishnamoorthy, and Jeff Beilfuss.

Also, Joe Brown and Julie Muyllaert at Methow Cycle and Sport; the folks at Kulshan Cycles, Fanatik Bike Co., Fairhaven Bike and Ski, Jacks Bicycle Center, Revolution Cycles, Mount Baker Bicycle Club, Vancouver Bicycle Club, Spokane Rocket Velo Cycling Club, Cascade Bicycle Club, Cascades High Performance Cycling Team, Port Townsend Bicycle Association, Tri-City Bicycle Club, Seattle International Randonneurs, Skagit Bicycle Club, B.I.K.E.S. Club of Snohomish County.

Thanks too to the fine folks at The Mountaineers Books for helping make this book a reality.

Lastly, a special note of thanks and love to Jen and Baker McQuaide for putting up with the countless hours I spent away from home, crisscrossing this grand Evergreen State.

With your purchase of this book, you also get access to our easy-to-use, downloadable cue sheets:

Go to our website: www.mountaineersbooks.org/75ClassicWashington.

Download a complete set of mileage cue sheets for all 75 rides in this book.

When you open the document on your computer, enter the code WARide when prompted.

Its our way of thanking you for supporting The Mountaineers Books and our mission of outdoor recreation and conservation.

The trite, hackneyed sentiment expressed in the worn-out sentence (Noun) offers something for everyone is unoriginal and almost always a lie.

Except for here.

I can honestly say that road cycling in Washington State offers something for everyone. Truly.

For riders who love hills and riders who hate hills; riders who love paved urban pathways and riders who want to feel as though they are in the middle of nowhere; riders who love steep, endless climbs into mountains and onto high plateaus and riders who love roller-coaster ups and downs along rivers, lakes, and Puget Sound. Yes, my friends, road cycling in Washington offers something for everyone.

This book is for adventurous cyclists who love all types of riding. Folks who mount their trusty two-wheeled steeds anticipating an exciting, perhaps challenging, ride that explores all that an areas terrain has to offer. Riders who, when they dismount their bikes at the end of a ride, want to feel as though theyve been somewhere, seen something amazing and, if theyre a bit worn out after having done so, all the better.

Being fast, skinny, and/or the owner of a mega-expensive, micro-weight bike is not a requirement for enjoying the routes in this book. But a passion for cycling is, and for immersing oneself in some truly spectacular settings throughout Washington State.

Now, about the routes. When compiling my list, I contacted dozens of cycling clubs, bike shops, and skinny-tire-obsessed folks like myself seeking input on Washington classic road rides. And boy, did they come through! I was looking for fun, oft-challenging routes mostly in the 40- to 80-mile range. I particularly wanted to include an areas signature physical featuresa renowned climb like Lion Rock or Badger Mountain, a cool stretch along the Columbia River or past Grand Coulee Dam, or through the wheat fields of the Palouse. Many route descriptions include a Variations feature for shortening or lengthening the rides, or for avoiding a particularly steep hill.

Yes, bikes are subject to the same laws as carsride on the right side of the road, stop at stop signs, yield when signs say yield, and so onbut heres something Ive noticed. Cars are much bigger than bikes, they dont always see bikes, and truth be told, some drivers arent too happy about cyclists when they do see them. So follow all laws, use proper hand signals when turning, always wear bright colors even if you ride during the day only, and wear flashing lights if youre likely to be riding at dusk, dawn, or at night. I always carry a cell phone and wear an identification bracelet as well. Always ride defensively. I think its great for riders to know their rights and privileges, but its not realistic to assume that drivers know what those are, let alone follow and respect them. It is up to you to keep yourself safe.

Here are some smart tips that hopefully are common sense.

Always wear a helmet. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, helmets are effective in preventing 85 percent of head and brain injuries; theyre also required in King County and Seattle and in many places throughout Washington State.

Make sure your bike is safe to ridetires inflated to recommended air pressure, brakes in proper working order, chain lubricated. Make sure there arent spokes that appear loose and that, in general, nothing is loose or rattles. Fix or tighten what you can yourself, otherwise use this as an opportunity to establish a relationship with your local bike shop and to learn a few things about how to fix your bike.

If youre going to ride when its dark, make sure you have adequate lighting to ensure that you can be seenuse flashing headlights and taillights. (In fact, for night riding, Washington State law requires a white front light thats visible for 500 feet and a red rear reflector thats visible for up to 600 feet.) Wear bright clothing and/or reflective gear such as arm or leg bands.

Always ride with traffic, never against it.