Are you interested in one of our Bike Camping trips this summer? We have a short excursion if you want to try out bike camping in a group. Check out this post by Wayne Johnson who will lead this ride.
I am planning two day, self supported bike camping tour along paved and gravel surfaces with lots of railroad grades to keep the climbing gentle for our loaded bikes. We'll stay at a bike-in campsite along the John Wayne Trail. Day 1 will be ~45 miles and mostly climbing. Day 2 will be ~55 miles and mostly downhill.
ROUTE/DISTANCE/ELEVATION: Day 1 will cover about 45 miles while gently climbing about 3700'. We'll spend very little time on roads, stringing together the Issaquah-Preston Trail, the Preston-Snoqualmie Trail, the Snoqualmie Valley Trail and the John Wayne Trail to get to our campsite near the tunnel.
Day 2 will be ~55 miles and mostly downhill. We'll start out climbing over Snoqualmie Pass before we descend past Franklin Falls then on down Tinkham Road. We have a short 2 mile downhill section on I-90 before we head back onto the John Wayne Trail. As we continue towards Issaquah we'll mostly stick the the path we climbed the day before, adding in a few fun descents, including Cedar Falls Road and highway 202 below Snoqualmie Falls. Total climbing for the day is about 1400'.
MEETING TIME/LOCATION: This ride will start and finish in Issaquah, WA. We will meet at 11am on Saturday, July 11.
WHO IS COMING ON THE RIDE: If you plan to come drop me an email to let me know you are coming at least a week before the ride. We may want to coordinate some of the camping gear for the group.
PACE: Somewhere between steady and low moderate (12 to 15 mph). We'll be loaded down with camping gear so we'll be going a fair bit slower than we typically do. This is a stay together ride outing. We will regroup as needed to make sure no one is left behind.
CUE SHEET: Print them out for both days and bring them with you.
CAMPGROUND: We will be staying at the state park campground along the trail. There will be tent pads, picnic tables, an outhouse and a stream for water. Bring $5 for the camping fee.
EQUIPMENT: We will need both cycling as well as the camping equipment. Some of the camping equipment may be able to be shared amongst the group.
• You should bring a touring bike with reasonably wide tires. We'll be on both paved and packed gravel surfaces.
• I suggest you bring rain and some cold weather riding gear. Although the weather forecast will likely be positive, mountain weather can and occasional does change without notice. Also it will be cold in the 2 mile long Snoqualmie Tunnel.
• Bright headlight for the tunnel.
• Spare tubes, pump and other biking gear to make you self-sufficient are also necessary.
• Tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad.
• Energy and snack foods to fuel yourself during the ride.
• Breakfast and dinner and any stove/cookware that you need to prepare them.
• Water filter/purification tablets (our camping water source will be a stream).
• Rope for hanging meal supplies away from bears and other animals.
• Bring money for food stops along the way and $5 cash for the camping fee.
CANCELLATION: Heavy rain cancels. If the weather forecast is horrible, I will cancel the ride 48 hours in advance.
RIDE ORGANIZER: Wayne Johnson. Call/text/email if you have questions.
