Sequim fans of bicycling have plenty of chances to warm up for summer riding during “Bike Everywhere Month,” with group rides and other activities promoted by the Sequim Bicycle Alliance.
The motivation for biking in May could be to encourage healthy habits before the summer starts, to reduce the emissions and cost of driving a gas/diesel-powered car, or just to have fun! The bottom line is Sequim is a world-class area for bicycling of all varieties and we want to celebrate and share it!
The month kicks off with First Friday “Art Ride” on May 4th: visit the galleries and activities by bike! Not an actual ride, not actually organized, and certainly not for showing off artsy Lycra jerseys (May’s color is blue by the way) …but simply a fun way to get in the spirit with fellow bicyclists. Sequim’s First Friday Art Walk runs from 5 to 8pm at various locations; see http://www.sequimartwalk.com/ for more details.
A highlight this year is the Bike Rodeo on Saturday, May 5th for kids in Kindergarten through 5th Grade, 12-4pm at the Stadium parking lot next to Helen Haller Elementary. Activities include safety inspections, nine bike courses, and a celebration for all participants. Sponsored by the Safety Alliance of the Olympic Peninsula Bicycling Alliance. For more information contact Jeanie Robards at
nwbikerlady@gmail.com.
Saturday, May 12th: Ride to the Irrigation Parade, 12 – 2pm, and then visit the Farmers Market for a “Festival Special” ride starting at 3pm from Sequim Bike Works: route will go past the Logging Show, head west on the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT) and take a break at John Wayne Marina before heading back to town (8-10 miles).
The Mayor of Sequim (a designated “Bike Friendly Community”) will make a proclamation promoting Bike Everywhere Month at the City Council’s May 14th meeting.
Tuesday, May 15th you can hob-nob and Bike with the City Manager: Meet at 5pm on the Civic Center Plaza for a 45-minute ride to Railroad Bridge Park and back on the ODT.
Friday, May 18th, National “Bike to Work Day:” Riders can grab a free cup of coffee and a bagel at the Civic Center Plaza, 152 W. Cedar, on their morning commute, available from 7 – 9am. After work join bike-commuting-comrades for happy hour at Rainshadow Café, across the street from the Plaza!
Saturday, May 19th, “Spring Spin Group Ride:” depart from Rainshadow Café at 9am. Riders are encouraged to arrive early for coffee and breakfast and time to chat. The ride will be 30 miles with a significant portion on the ODT, returning in the afternoon for a well-earned beverage and more time to chat!
Saturday, May 19th: the Sequim Wheelers will debut their new wheelchair bicycle (the first on the West Coast) at the Farmers’ Market, 9am – 3pm, Civic Center Plaza, 152 W. Cedar St.
Monday, May 21st: the City’s Park, Arbor, and Recreation Board would like to hear from the community about bicycling ideas, opportunities, and concerns regarding cycling in the City. Board meetings are at 5:30pm on third Mondays in the Burkett Community Room, 152 W. Cedar St.
Saturday, May 26th is a Happy Hour Mountain Bike Ride to “Dungeness Trails” at the upper end of River Road: depart 4pm from 210 W. Washington (Salty Girls and Peninsula Taproom parking area), explore as much as you want (7 miles), and ride back to relax.
EVERY Saturday, Farmers Market: 25% off at Sequim Bike Works if you ride! Also, flat tire repair demo (patching and tube replacement) at 10am, 12pm, 2pm.
EVERY Monday, Wednesday and Friday the Sequim Spoke Folks ride from 9:30am to about noon (~20 miles), departing from 950 N. 5th Avenue (Sequim Community Church).
For “Fat Tire Friday” on May 25th the group will ride to Dungeness Trails on upper River Road. For more information contact Tom Coonelly at 360-681-7053.
EVERY Tuesday and Friday in May the Women on Wheels do various leisure, social, and “mini-hill” rides starting at 9:30am at Railroad Bridge Park (Dungeness River Audubon Center, western terminus of Hendrickson Road). For more information contact Jeanie Robards,
robardsfamily@gmail.com.
EVERY Sunday the Sequim Sunday Riders depart at 9:30am from the Dungeness Wildlife Refuge at 554 Voice of America Road for a 25 mile ride. For more information contact Randy Barber, 360-477-4156.
For a slightly shorter ride of 15-20 miles, join the Sequim Easy Riders medium-paced group, also starting at 9:30am: EVERY Monday from Railroad Bridge, EVERY Wednesday from Lofgrin Rd. cul de sac at the Elk Sign, and EVERY Friday from the Cracked Bean at Sequim Ave.-Old Olympic traffic circle. For more information contact Bob Anundson at
sequimboy@gmail.com.
You like friendly competition? Create or join a team for the “Bike Everywhere Challenge” (https://www.lovetoride.net/washington): this is a great way to motivate yourself, family, and friends to ride! Points can be earned by riding miles AND by encouraging others.
Also for the media savvy: register with the local Strava club, “Take a Spin in Sequim” – always ready for new members and posting photos (www.Strava.com).
Sequim Bicycle Alliance is an umbrella coordinating group for bicycling interests in eastern Clallam County, furthering the goals of Sequim’s Bronze-level “Bike Friendly Community” designation: education, encouragement, engineering, evaluation and planning, enforcement, and economic development. The group meets quarterly at the Sequim Civic Center; information about past meetings is available at the City’s website
www.sequimwa.gov.
Bike Month events are coordinated by members of the Sequim Bicycle Alliance, with special support and contributions from City of Sequim, Olympic Peninsula Bicycling Alliance, Sequim School District, Ben’s Bikes, and Rainshadow Coffee.
A complete schedule and details may be found on the Facebook page for “Sequim Cycling” or on the City’s website, www.sequimwa.gov , search for “Sequim Bicycle Alliance” or “Bike Everywhere Month.”