Upcoming COGS Weekend Getaways 2010

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COGS Weekend Getaways are reserved for COGS members only.

Schedule for 2010

April 23, 24 and 25 Soap Lake and Grand Coulee Dam

We will go east to get the sun and ride through some amazing scenery and visit Grand Coulee Dam.

 

May 22 and 23 A Sunny Yakima Weekend

Saturday we ride to Tieton and Sunday we will do the "Your Canyon for a Day Bike Tour." 

 

June 11, 12 and 13 Columbia Gorge

This getaway will include the Gorge Ride, sponsored by the Friends of the Historic Columbia Gorge Highway.

 

July 16, 17, and 18  Beautiful Birch Bay

Over the course of 3 days we will cycle to Lummi Island, Lynden and Peace Arch Park.

 

August 20, 21, and 22 The San Juan Islands Tour

We will stay in Friday Harbor at Wayfarers Inn and cycle San Juan Island, Orcas and Lopez

 

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Soap Lake and Grand Coulee Dam April 23, 24, and 25 

Come spend 3 days cycling and sightseeing in one of the most interesting and spectacular areas of Eastern Washington.   

Friday Ride
Time: 9:30
Meet: Inn at Soap Lake
Distance: 48 miles
Pace: Moderate
Ride Terrain: Mostly flat with a few hills
Details: We will do a loop and ride along the shores of 3 lakes in area.

Saturday Ride

Time: 9:30
Meet: Inn at Soap Lake
Distance: 45 miles
Pace: Moderate
Ride Terrain: Mostly flat with a few hills
Ride Description: We will drive our cars to Steamboat Rock Park for the start.  We will ride along Banks Lake to the Grand Coulee Dam and Visitor Center. Lunch in Grand Coulee City.

Sunday Ride

Time: 9:30
Meet: Inn at Soap Lake
Distance: 45 miles
Pace: Moderate
Ride Terrain: Mostly flat with a few hills
Ride Description: We will drive our cars to Potholes State Park.  Our ride will take us pass Drumheller Channels and thru the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge for a picnic lunch at McManamon Lake. We will return to Seattle from here.
Lodging: We will be staying at the historic beach front Inn at Soap Lake 800-557-8514.Check out their web site http://www.soaplakewa.com/.  They have cottages on the lake with fully furnished kitchens as well as single and double rooms.  Cottages are 130.00 per night, rooms are 59.00 to 85.00. For the weekend we are there if you reserve two nights the third night is free. We can bring food and do some grocery shopping in Soap Lake for potluck dinner Saturday night.

For those with campers there is also Soap Lake RV Resort near by call 509-246-0413.

Directions: Soap Lake is located approximately 3 hours from Seattle. Take I-90 to exit 151 Hwy 283 to Soap Lake.  It is best to drive over on Thursday evening April 22.

Tour Coordinator: Email Mary Jo at maryjo1532@hotmail.com 206-546-0645

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May 22 and 23 - A Sunny Yakima Weekend

Come and ride in Yakima where the sun is shining and the apples trees are blooming. We might even do a little wine tasting while we are there.
On Sunday will do the “Your Canyon for a Day Bike Tour”.  This is a 35-mile ride through the scenic Yakima River Canyon with a gentle grade and few hills and no traffic.

Saturday: Yakima to Tieton Loop

Ride Start: Cedar Suites 1010 East A St

Meet At: 9:15am leave 9:30 am
RidePace: Moderate.
RideDistance: 40 miles.
RideTerrain: Mostly flat and very little traffic. 

Details: We will have lunch in Tieton.

Sunday Ride: Your Canyon for a Day Bike Tour
Time:  9:00 start
Where: Roza Recreation Site (mile post 7), check in at mile post 3 on SR 821.
Distance: 35 miles
Registration Fee: $35.00

Ride Description: This is a 35-mile ride through the scenic Yakima River Canyon.  The road follows the Yakima River up a gentle grade with few hills. It is sponsored by Yakima County Crime Stoppers and highway is closed to through traffic. You can sign up in advance at their web site . http://www.crimestoppersyakco.org/index.php?ID=46

Lodging: We will be staying at the Cedar Suites in Yakima.  Rooms are approx. $63/single or $67.00/ double plus tax when booked on Expedia. RV and camping are available at Yakima Sportsman State Park.  This is a busy weekend in Yakima so make a reservation soon.

 

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June 11, 12 and 13 Columbia Gorge

Come ride in the beautiful Columbia Gorge. On Friday we will ride along the Klickitat River.   On Saturday we will ride on the Oregon side do The Gorge Ride, sponsored by the Friends of the Historic Columbia Gorge Highway.   

Friday Ride: BZ Corners to Glenwood

Time:  9:30 start
Meet: BZ Corners
Distance: 43 miles
Pace: Moderate (14-16 mph
Ride Terrain: Some Hills
Ride Description: We will drive to BZ Corners on the Washington side to start the ride.  We will do a loop ride from there along back roads to Glenwood.

Saturday Ride: The Gorge Ride

Time: 9:30
Meet: Gorge Discovery Center
Distance: 40 miles
Pace: Moderate (14-16 mph)
Ride Terrain: Some climbing in the beginning
Ride Description: The Gorge Ride is sponsored by the Friends of the Historic Columbia Gorge. The ride is on the historic highway with low traffic, wildflowers and great views of the gorge. For sign up and details of the ride go to the web site: http://hcrh.org/GorgeRide10. html

Sunday Ride: Along the Klickitat River

Time:  9:30 start
Meet: In Lyle at Intersection of Hwy 14 and 142
Distance: 40 miles
Pace: Moderate (14-16 mph)
Ride Terrain: Mostly flat
Ride Description: We will meet in Lyle for the start of the ride.  It is a gorgeous out and back ride running along the Klickitat River. There is a store in Klickitat to buy lunch.

Lodging: Lodging is available at the Bingen Hostel in Bingen, WA across the river from Hood River (509) 493-3363.
Also the Vagabond Lodge in Hood River has inexpensive rooms.  

Tour Coordinators: Mary Jo at maryjo1532@hotmail.com

 

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July 16, 17, and 18    Birch Bay Weekend Getaway

Come spend 3 days biking the rural roads of Whatcom County. We will be staying in beautiful Birch Bay where we will ride along the bay and enjoy Birch Bay Discovery Days.  We will ride to the Raspberry Festival in Lynden and visit the Peace Arch Park and Sculpture Garden.   

Friday Ride: Birch Bay to Peace Arch Park

Time:  10:30 start
Meet: Birch Bay Hostel
Distance: 40 miles
Pace: Moderate
Ride Terrain: Mostly flat with a few hills

Ride Description:  We will bike along the shore of Birch Bay heading north to the Peace Arch.    We will spend some time enjoying the flower display and sculpture exhibit at the park. The return ride will take us on a tour of the country side with an ice cream stop in Custer.

Saturday Ride: Birch Bay to the Lynden Raspberry Festival
Time: 9:30
Meet: Birch Bay Hostel
Distance: 40 miles
Pace: Moderate
Ride Terrain: Mostly flat with a few hills
Ride Description: We will ride to Lynden for lunch and spend some time at the Raspberry Festival.  Nice rural ride with very little traffic. 

Sunday Ride: Fairhaven to Lake Samish
Time:  9:30 leave hostel
Meet: Fairhaven
Distance: 35 miles
Pace: Moderate
Ride Terrain: Rolling with a few hills

Ride Description: We will drive to Bellingham to start this ride.  We will bike south to Lake Samish and return to Bellingham.

Lodging: We will be staying at the Birch Bay Hostel just 3 blocks from the water, so we can walk to the beach and enjoy the sunset in the evening. Make your own reservations at the hostel.  They have a limited number of private rooms and the shared rooms accommodate 3 people. Linen and towels provided.  Cost is $25 shared room or $55 for a private room with bath. Let them know you are with the SBC. Hostel phone reservations: 360-371-2180

Bring: Kitchen facilities available if you would like to bring food.  We will do a potluck dinner one night.

Directions to hostel: From Seattle-take I-5 north to Exit 266, turn left, go six miles to Blaine Road. Turn right, and go north two miles. Turn left on Alderson Road (flashing yellow light), then left again into Bay Horizon Park. Hostel is fourth building on the right. It is about 2 hours from Seattle.

Tour Coordinator: Email Mary Jo at maryjo1532@hotmail.com   to let her know you are coming.

Use the COGS Google list if you need a roommate or want to carpool.

 

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August 20, 21, and 22 The San Juan Islands Weekend Getaway

 
The San Juan Islands are a bicycling paradise, with miles of country roads, only a few hills and low traffic. Join us for 3 days of island hopping and great bike riding.

Friday Ride: Friday Harbor 
Ride start: Start time approx. 1:00 
Meet: Meet at the hostel 
Ride Distance:  30 miles  
Ride Description:  We will ride south to American Camp and spend some time exploring the park and visitor center.                                                                                           

Details:  Take the 11:55 ferry from Anacortes, which arrives in Friday Harbor at 1:00.  Bring lunch to eat on the ferry.   We will stop at the hostel and then do a ride to Cattle Point and American Camp.  There is a grocery store on the main street in town where we can buy food for the weekend. 

 
Saturday Ride: Orcas Island 
Ride start: 8:45 ferry from Friday Harbor 
Distance: 40 miles 
Ride Description: We will ride to Eastsound Village and spend sometime at the market and then go on to Deer Harbor. Then back to the ferry dock for our return to Friday Harbor. 
Details: We will stop at the grocery store on our return to but food for dinner at the hostel.

Sunday Ride:  Lopez Island 
Ride start: 8:10 ferry from Friday Harbor 
Distance: 33 miles 
Ride Description:  We will ride around Lopez, the flattest of all the islands.  We will have lunch in town and be back at the dock in time to take the 3:25 ferry back to Anacortes.

Lodging: We will be staying at the Wayfarers Rest in Friday Harbor. This is a very nice inexpensive hostel just 5 blocks from the ferry dock with kitchen facilities. They have private rooms available in addition to a small dorm. Book soon since lodging is scarce and fills up fast in the Islands. They have just a 3 day cancellation policy.  See their website for details.   
Use the COGS email if you need a roommate or want to carpool.  
Tour Coordinator:  Mary Jo at maryjo1532@hotmail.com  

Details: Leave your car at the upper parking lot at the ferry dock in Anacortes. Parking fee in Anacortes is 25.00 for 3 days.  The only ferry charge is going over to Friday Harbor.