OLYMPIA – Sept. 15, 2017 – On “Bike Your Park Day,” Sept. 30, Washington State Parks invites the public to explore state parks on two wheels. Events will be happening across Washington state, the country—and beyond. The purpose of this national event is to encourage people to discover parks by bicycle.
Last year, more than 11,000 people in all 50 states and 10 countries participated in the inaugural Bike Your Park Day. Adventure Cycling Association, a nonprofit bicycling organization, coordinates the event nationally and expects increased turnout over 2016.
Four state parks are offering special bicycle tours and events with rangers. All rides are on Saturday, Sept. 30, and start times vary. The following are brief descriptions of each ride with a link to more details on the Bike Your Park Day website.
- Cape Disappointment State Park
244 Robert Gray Dr., Ilwaco
Directions
Meet Ranger Nick Schwalb at 10 a.m. at the Beard’s Hollow parking area for the Beard's Hollow Bike Day—a 14-mile self-guided ride on the Discovery Trail, with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Following the ride, Ranger Schwalb invites participants to celebrate their riding accomplishment at Beard’s Hollow. This ride is suitable for beginners, with little elevation change.
- Fort Worden Historical State Park
200 Battery Way, Port Townsend
Directions
Join Ranger Todd Jensen at 10 a.m. at the flagpole at Fort Worden for the 9 mile Beach to Bunkers Ride along paved roads and hard-packed trails with some exposed roots to navigate over. This ride will take participants up and down and around the park through the gunline to the top of Artillery Hill and down to the Chinese Gardens and more. Ranger Jensen is planning a post-ride get-together with snacks and refreshments.
- Pearrygin Lake State Park
561 Bear Creek Rd., Winthrop
Directions
Ranger Alex Ott and fellow rangers will show off the newest addition to the park’s Rex Derr Trail on this Bike Around Pearrygin Lake. Meet the rangers at 10:30 a.m. at the east campground day use parking lot. This is a fairly easy bike ride on mostly packed dirt or gravel, with some sections on paved road surface and a few small hills to climb.
- Conconully State Park
119 Broadway St., Conconully
Directions
This self-guided 5-mile Conconully Lake to Lake Salmon Ride will take riders between two lakes and three mountains in north central Washington. The beginner-level ride, hosted by Ranger Ken Ross, begins at 9 a.m. at the park’s day use parking lot. Rangers on bike patrol will also participate in the ride. Following the ride, at 4 p.m., participants are invited to join park rangers and volunteers for refreshments.
Riders—especially minors—are encouraged to wear bike helmets. Riders will want to determine which bicycle—mountain, road or fat tire—will work best for their needs, depending on each park ride description.
Adventure Cycling Association will provide prizes for participants, including a limited number of head-tube badges, stickers and issues of the latest Adventure Cycling magazine. Some parks may have additional giveaways, including Junior Ranger material for young riders and items from local bike stores.
Bike Your Park Day coincides with National Public Lands Day. Sept. 30 is also a Washington State Parks ‘free day.’ Visitors won’t need to display a Discover Pass for day-use visits to state parks.
More details and information about other Bike Your Park events are at BikeYourParkDay.org.
About Adventure Cycling Association
Adventure Cycling Association inspires and empowers people to travel by bicycle. It is the largest cycling membership organization in North America with more than 52,000 members. Adventure Cycling produces cycling routes and maps for North America, organizes more than 100 tours annually and publishes Adventure Cyclist magazine. With more than 45,000 mapped miles in the Adventure Cycling Route Network, Adventure Cycling gives cyclists the tools and confidence to create their own bicycle travel adventures. Phone: (800) 755-BIKE (2453). Web: www.adventurecycling.org.
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About Washington State Parks
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
Follow Washington State Parks:
Share your favorite state park adventure on the State Parks’ blog site at http://adventureawaits.com/
Support state parks by purchasing your annual Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W.
P.O. Box 42650
Olympia, WA 98504-2650
Washington Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388