Welcome to or welcome back to the Disco Bay Mixer blogformation portal. Another year has passed and we’re jazzed to be hosting the 2023 DBM cycling ramble here in Sequim. By mid March here on the Peninsula most of us are patching things together after months of damp, dark, quiet grey bird days, cold fingers and toes and lack of human connection during these months of hibernation. About 6 years ago we hatched the idea of having an all day cycling party in late winter as a beacon of hope and stoke to guide us through the dark months and welcome us into a new season of longer days in the saddle with less clothes and more friends. The positivity and pure collective joy we’ve experienced the last five years hosting The Disco Bay Mixer has blown our minds! Everyone whose ever shown up to party in the woods with us and wallow in the pure simple joy of cycling and the places and people it connects us with has made this event real special. Last year’s turnout of 80+ cyclers who came from all around the PNW to share the love for the woods and bicycles was somethin' else. For many of us it was one of our first big gatherings since the the Rona had shattered all social norms and left us uneasy, unsure and socially starved. I think it’s safe to say that most if not all who rolled last year left with a bigger smile and brighter spirit than what they arrived with. I hope this inspires you to come out to our neck of the woods and party with us again this year.
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 chilly. 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 early March 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 then turns east through the Snow Creek area on 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. Sadly the Grocery Store and Taproom were victims of the COVID ripple effect and are no longer open which means there is no real restock, refuel midpoint this year. There are some nice places along the water here to enjoy a fine beverage or a delicious snack so make sure you bring lots of both in those bike bags.
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.
Here we will have a new section this year which heads north to Gardiner beach and back west to Diamond Pt. Road. Just off Diamond Pt. Road begins more dirt trail and a chance to check out the mysterious Cat Lake. From Cat Lake the route weaves and winds for a few miles on some great single
track before it reconnects with the Olympic Discovery Trail just before Sequim Bay.
This 6 mile section can be easily bypassed by staying on Old Gardiner Rd. Until it hits the Discovery trail but you probably shouldn’t miss this section!
The final destination is 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.
Come out and mix it up! This is an unsupported, unsponsored unpretentious free ride for all.
Difficulty: easy/moderate
Terrain: bike path/gravel road/ double track/ single track/country road
Distance: 40 -50 miles
Total potential Ride Time (including stops): All Day
Ride detail: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/19405068
Email onefintrim@gmail.com if you have questions or concerns
Or DM @velolympic @nrampp or @freewheelchichester on Instagram
Or DM @velolympic @nrampp or @freewheelchichester on Instagram
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