Approaching the weekend for the bike camping trip the weather forecast did not look very promising. As a ride leader it is hard to make the right call. Should I risk it or play it safe? I only go bike camping once or twice a year so I really wanted to go. I decided to take the plunge and go. Not wanting to put others in misery I emailed all the registrants and told them I would understand if they decided to cancel with the very questionable weather forecast. Well 6 brave souls joined me, 4 from COGS and two others from MBBC. Friday we launched from the Fairhaven Terminal. Things started well along Chuckanut Drive. We had a lunch stop at Old Edison Inn and when we were ready to depart it was raining pretty hard so we all just waited under cover in their patio for a half hour. When it started lightening up we left in light rain and pretty soon we were out of those conditions. Next stop was ice cream in Anacortes. We made it to the campground afterwards, got our tents set up and had dinner before the rain would come that night and it did rain pretty hard that night.

On Day 2 we woke up to a lot of moisture and some of us had some inside our tents. But everyone dealt with it well and were in good spirits for what this day would have in store. We had coffee or breakfast at Moka Joe’s along the way. As we pedaled towards Burlington the skies were very ominous. It looked like we were riding where the rains were falling with very dark clouds. I was a little worried of what lay before us. Surprisingly our route followed a narrow path where we skirted rain that was on both sides of us. We stopped at The Fairhaven for lunch and enjoyed some sunshine. The rest of the ride was mostly on Cascade Trail and it felt stormy but the rains held back. We seemed to have very good fortune of riding this day where rain seemed to be falling to the north or south of us but not along the trail. We got to camp at a good time where we had some sunshine and could dry out some of the moisture in our tents. Before long the rain did start again but not before having our dinner. That night it was mostly light rain continuing through the night.

Day 3 was again a wake up call to a lot of moisture and light rain. By the time of our departure the rain ceased but would catch us on the way to Sedro-Woolley. We avoided the Cascade Trail this day and stuck to pavement mostly on side streets to avoid Hwy 20. We had coffee or breakfast at The Local Shop there. As we approached Bellingham again the sun started shining with rising temperatures. While we had to have a little more climbing due to closed roads we took a very nice approach into Fairhaven that brought our trip to a delightful close.

What made this trip great were the group of cyclists who came. Some who came had little experience with bike camping but took the plunge in these conditions anyways. Everyone was very flexible and willing to help each other out. They always seemed to be in good spirits making the best of every situation even though it wasn’t always ideal. Having a good attitude goes a long ways. Things won’t always be ideal in bike camping or touring but being flexible and having a great attitude goes a long ways to enjoy the journey and accept whatever comes our way. I was very happy with how things turned out this weekend, yet knowing I still need to be careful when taking risks and putting others in these situations. There are still times when canceling a trip is the best course of action.

COGS did some drafting and group riding practice on Sunday.  The ride is based on an old Seattle Bike Discord ride on the quiet Sunday roads around the airport.  After a discussion on technique and safety we rolled three laps around while increasing speed and decreasing distance between riders.   Everyone learned a bit and got more comfortable with the nuance of tighter group riding.   Thanks to Joel W. for adding some expertise to the ride.   We will do it again.     (photo credit: Dave Walker Cartoons)

Threatening weather kept our group small this weekend.  Which was too bad because it turned into a great riding day.  We did the winter safe ride route through the Arboretum and over the picturesque boulevard above Leschi to the I90 tunnel.  Came home along the waterfront using the new "cruise ship bypass trail"  The casual conversational pace and a new rider to the group, Eric, made it a fun day.

Oh this was a hard one.  Five of us set out for 110 miles of hills on Easter Sunday.  Two finished the whole route while others opted for some part of the ride. (60 and 80 miles) This ride leader struggled to keep up with Thatcher and Tobin but managed to complete the ride with Thatcher. 

We warmed up to Alki then climbed over White Center.  Renton,  May Valley, Issaquah, Sammamish and back to 520.  Then....The toughest part of the ride is near the end, hitting Juanita Drive, Holmes Point, Simonds, Norway and Perkins all in the last 30 miles.    Thankfully a tailwind from Shoreline pushed my blown up legs to the finish.   Thanks to the hearty souls who were up to the challenge of (so far) the hardest COGS ride of 2026.

What a fantastic way to welcome SPRING.   Nine of us met at Petit Pierre french bakery for espresso and amazing treats.   A few new faces and some others not seen over the cold winter.  We took a lap through Magnolia for amazing views including a majestic bald eagle.  Our journey traversed the new waterfront trail out to Alki for more views of the Olympics and downtown.  

Nine riders, 65+ miles, Two "Mechanicals" and Four Flats.   I think we picked up all the glass on this route.    Sadly, we lost Heather on mile one to a bent derailleur hanger.  Her two gravel racer and cyclocross teammates, new to COGS, were more than up to the ride without her.  Thatcher, Noriko with Michael, Brant and Gus were all left behind (with permission) due to flats or some problem or another.  However, an extended stop at Coulon allowed most of them to work together and catch back on.  Good teamwork.  Brant wins the ingenuity prize for getting home via light rail and by strapping his broken down steed onto a Lime bike.  Crazy day.  In spite of threatening weather, it was actually mostly dry and fantastic for riding.  Four of us finished together and everyone else made it home safe.

20 miles of Christmas lights along Magnolia Bluff, Seattle Center, Lake Union and Olympic Manor.   Was a fun group but too much of the ride was crowded with people and cars.  Far more than expected.  We rode conservatively and everyone rode safely.  But a different route will be chosen next year. 

Looking forward to Wayne's Christmas Lights ride later this month.  

We met afterwards for snacks and to watch the Christmas movie, "Klaus" so it ended up being a good time. 

Wednesday night rides are always fun. Last night was another beautiful evening ride with low traffic, high comradery, invigorating hills and stunning views. 

Six of us met up on a day with threatening weather.  It actually turned out quite good.  November is a good time to rest the legs a bit and enjoy a short ride.  

This route is designed to be mostly on trails and quiet roads, making it safe for dark wet days.   

UW, Leschi, I-90 bike tunnel and trail to the south end of downtown.  Proceed onto the new waterfront trail and have coffee near Fisherman's Terminal.  

A change in the weather dampened our turnout this morning but Frank and I were inspired by A.I. to believe we wouldn't get all that wet.  Day Glo full fenders and some Gore Tex made it a pretty nice day.  Took the Duamish and Lake to Sound trail to Renton.  After a brief, unsuccessful hunt for Mama Row's Carmels we settled on a quick stop for mediocre coffee served with a poor attitude at Boom Boona's.  Undeterred, we set a good pace up a deserted Lake Washington Blvd with an inspiring philosophical conversation all the way back to Fremont.   50 miles.