My husband and I are heading to the Pacific Northwest for a 10 day trip, with a 5 day stay at Whistler bookended by a weekend in Vancouver and a weekend in Seattle. I read the thread from November about riding the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver-Whistler-Vancouver in 24 hours. I learned that (1) the road is mostly fine with decent shoulders, (2) Squamish will be slow with traffic, so I should check out the Gran Fondo route for a possible detour, (3) there are a few places to be careful about blind corners with no shoulders, (4) there are some sketchy sewer grates on the shoulder, and (5) bring extra tubes, c02 and a patch kit.
We are headed to Mt. Baker in Washington on Saturday, and then driving to Vancouver after we’re done snowboarding. We go to Whistler early on Monday. I was thinking about moving my longer bike workout for the week to Monday, and riding the Sea to Sky Highway from North Vancouver (via Marine Drive – I’ve done my research!) to Whistler.
We’re spending the second weekend of our trip in Seattle with some friends who just relocated. I need another long bike for that Saturday, so I would love some suggestions for a longer, scenic ride in the Seattle area. I am totally fine with driving to find good cycling.
My only hesitation is – is it too early in the year to bring my bike with me? I have been dreaming of some beautiful cycling, but I realize that may not be entirely realistic. Am I going to get my bike out there, and end up having to find a gym with spin bikes, because the weather is too terrible? I’m not afraid of getting wet, or colder weather, but if the cycling will (honestly) be totally miserable, someone please tell me. If the weather is okay, would anyone hesitate on doing the Sea to Sky ride on a Monday morning? Would I be better off just doing part of the IM bike course later in the day once we actually get to Whistler?
Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the advice/suggestions!
Can’t speak for Sea to Sky as I’ve never done it on a bike, but can help you out in the Seattle area.
For 3-4 hour rides:
make your way across I-90 and head down the issaquah-hobart road to Black Diamond and do a straight turnaround or on the way back you you can turn off on 216th (head west) and catch the Cedar River trail at the bottom of the hill. Issaquah-Fall City road to Snoqualmie Falls and then back along 202 into Redmond and make your way back from thereLake Washington loop - Some runners, but should be light traffic on the trails this time of the year.Plenty of options and combos to make shorter or longer depending on needs - May Valley and Cedar Grove are good options off of the Black Diamond routeGood climbs include SE 54st (Zoo Hill -steepest/longest) off Newport Way (parallels I-90 on the way to Issaquah). Cougar Mountain 3 ways - Lakemont Dr, Montreaux (Village Park) and SE 54th. Tiger Mountain is another great climb off of Iss-Hobart road.May run into some gravel and fallen rocks in places, but generally the shoulders are good. Keep an eye out for the occasional grate and angled RR track.
Sounds like a great trip. Have fun.
Sounds like you have a great trip planned. Boarding conditions are great, with about 2 feet of fresh falling over the weekend and more on the way.
As for riding, I also can not comment on the Sea to Sky highway.
Conditions in the Seattle area have been typical for March. Mostly cloudy and rain, with a few glimpses of sun. I personally just got out for my first outdoor ride since last November two weekends ago, however I am a definitely a fair weather rider. If you are open to riding in the rain and cold, you should be right at home in Seattle the next few weeks. Lots of clouds & rain in the forecast. We have not had any snow in the lowlands this year so the roads are in great condition (i.e. no loose sand on the shoulders).
As mentioned above lots of options for long rides. I am partial to the eastside (Redmond, Sammamish, Issaquah, Carnation, etc) less cars, more country… Most roads have good biker friendly shoulders.
I don’t think I would recommend riding the sea to sky highway if you are planning to go in the next few weeks. Vancouver will be fine for riding and you should be good up to Squamish. Just remember it is still winter in Whistler and you are certainly going to get rain and if it is cold enough you will have snow in the village and below that on the road up from Squamish. Also likely to have a lot of sand and gravel on the roads from winter maintenance.
You would probably be fine to ride in Pemberton area north of Whistler, I would drive to pemberton and start a ride from there. It is much lower elevation and also way less traffic during the week. The initial road up to Callaghan Valley will be a very bad option for the next 2 weeks. They are hosting 4 different national championships at the olympic venues and the roads will be busy and likely snow/slush covered.
And this is exactly why I asked! Thanks so much! I read that the weather between Vancouver, and even the base at Whistler, and the higher elevations differed drastically, but I wasn’t sure what that meant in terms of snow/slush/temperatures and road conditions.
The 6 routes mentioned already are great rides around Seattle. You can also go to cascade.org and select one of the local event rides. They have the maps/cue sheets of the rides, which may make it easier to navigate. The Flying Wheels route (45,65, 100mi loops) is a good ride. Also, if you want some hills the Chilly Hilly route is great and located on Bainbridge island. It’s about 33mi (approx. 2700 ft. elev) and hilly, so my group usually rides it one way, then turns around and ride it the other way. Great views along this route.