Last year's ride may or may not have been one for the books but it sure was more beautiful, unique, challenging and dare I say more fun than we expected. (Check out the previous blog post for the recap from last year) Sometimes it takes the collective motivation of a group to get in the saddle all day and roll a lot of miles, especially in the dead of our dark soggy northwest winters. Group rides like this one attract a community of spirited and jovial cyclists who understand and embrace the inherent suffering and discomfort sometimes involved but also know that the rewards for the effort are often remarkable. Surely there will be some numb fingers and toes, snotsicles, swamp foot, shivering, icy or muddy roads, dark skies, frigid wind and persistent rain or snow as these are all ingredients of a wintry recipe of radical. That being said, if these adversities can be overlooked with the promise of new friendships, exhaustion, choice scenery, campfire stops, lots of cool bikes, and a delicious balance of caffeine and alcohol deep in the woods on the Olympic Peninsula then please come join us... we could use the body heat.
The Disco Bay Mixer is a bicycle cruise....it’s a mixed surface stroll, a pedaling potluck, a shivery shindig, a stop and go ramble, a winter cycling social. Ride your bike someplace neat, stop, make coffee, drink beer,eat real good snacks, talk bikes and life, catch some nature at work and keep pedaling, that’s the style we’re talking about. It’s An all day bicycle field trip, a one day tour if you will. Bring your stove for hot bevs, your panniers or bags for snacks and extra clothes, it’s gonna be cold. This ride is doable on any bike but optimal on something with fenders, mid width tires and racks somewhere to carry gear and goodies. About the late February time of year most of us are soggy, salty and socially starved out here on the peninsula. We just thought it’d be real nice to create a little organized ride to bring our cycling communities together for some laughs, some sips and some adventure.
The ride starts at 9am from Rainshadow Cafe in Downtown Sequim. Pre-roll Coffee and breakfast begins at 8am. The route heads east from Sequim onto the Olympic Discovey Trail through Sequim Bay State park and down to the Seven Cedars Casino and Longhouse Market. Just east of the market the route heads south on Woods Rd. Which is the beginning of the dirt section of the ride. A ways up the road here is a great place for a mid morning stop for an hour or so.
From here the route heads south continuing to climb gently as it veers easterly through smaller more wooded roads before descending to Uncas Rd just south of Discovery Bay.
North on uncas for a few minutes and the Discovery Bay village awaits. A Nicely stocked little grocery full of quality foods, sandwiches drinks ice cream etc. Next door there is a nice little Tap room with a choice selection of draft beers and for your ganja needs there are two shops here as well.
Maybe an hour or so here for a regroup beer:30 lunch stop hang time.
The afternoon miles stretch through Disco Bay and Gardiner on quiet roads and onward to diamond point where it reconnects to the Olympic Discovery Trail which meanders all the way back to Downtown Sequim
The final destination is The Peninsula Taproom which is a stones throw from Rainshadow Cafe where the ride begins. The Taproom is a favorite for a post ride pint and ride recap laughs.. Take out food is welcome and there are several good options nearby. The Taproom also has a good little snack menu as well.
Saturday February 23rd! Ride Departs 9am -ish (this ain't no race) from Rainshadow Cafe in Sequim,Wa. Gear up to get down...8:00am pre-ride coffee, eats and chatter.
Food and Drink specials for disco riders.
Difficulty: easy/moderate
Terrain: bike path/gravel road/ double track/ country road
Distance: 40-ish miles
Total potential Ride Time (including stops): 8hrs
Ride detail: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/19405068
Email onefintrim@gmail.com if you have questions or concerns
