Biking on Tahlequah Ferry
As a bike nerd, sure, I’m ashamed and what not, but well, that’s just how it’s been.
Today’s ride got us doing something I’ve always thought would be cool: biking to Tacoma via the quiet roads of Vashon Island. With a stop at the West Seattle Farmer’s market to talk Hungarian pigs, Flemish rabbits and cheese and to pick up croissants at Bakery Nouveau, our morning felt more like a bike tour than a training ride.
The shorter than anticipated bike across Vashon has two long climbs: a notorious heave off the ferry and up to Vashon Center and then another longer climb south of Burton that lifts you high above Quartermaster Harbor. These we handled with strength and dexterity! Unfortunately, we ended up waiting for an hour for the infrequent ferry to Ruston and Point Defiance. When we finally arrived, we skipped the zoo, and opted for the “Five Mile Drive” in the park for a few more pleasant miles of riding. I should say the road was nice, but after sitting for an hour, my legs were stiff and my mood bonked!
I didn’t like what should have been an very nice bike friendly route from the park in Ruston to the popular waterfront trail, and while I did enjoy being “lost” leaving that trail to get into downtown for the bus ride home for the adventure of it, it seems like a bit better bike signage is in order down in Tacoma.
An express bus home, a 37 mile ride (is that all???) and walking over for dinner at the Moonlight, tired, wind burnt, and hungry. Sweet!
And get this: 121 miles of cycling for the week. I may fit into that Boonen jersey yet.
You might also like
4 Comments
Don’t you love taking your bike across the water on a ferry? I always think that’s a lot of fun.
But why did you take the bus back? Why not just ride back? Did you have any problems bringing the bus onboard?
Hey Darren,
The bus: because it was both getting late, and I’m out of shape! So that 39 miles of riding was enough…it was nice to have the out.
Getting the bike on the bus is no issue, as all the King County buses and Sound Transit buses have racks for bikes. It can be an issue if you have front racks installed as the brace snaps over your front wheel, so until I have an actual trip planned, I’ve taken off my front rack.
The nice thing about using the bus, is that it widens the range of riding options, particularly during the week, and is a nice way to get a bit further out of the sprawl.
What route did you take? Please share?
Caitlin,
I’d be happy to give you specifics on the Seattle portion if you’re new to biking in the area… We live in the CD and bike from there to many places.
The ride to Tacoma was very straightforward:
Ferry terminal from Fauntleroy/West Seattle to northern tip of Island. Good climb up to Vashon Town Center. We just stayed on the main highway from the ferry…no turns. There’s the big climb from the ferry and one south of Burton as you leave Quartermaster Harbor. It takes you all the way down to the ferry dock on the south end of the island. That’s it. One road!
We waited for a long time for that little ferry. It takes you right into the park.
We toured the park on our bikes and then left the park. I believe it’s the first light, turning left in the little town of Ruston, we turned on 51st/Ruston Way to the Waterfont. This bit was unpleasant until we got to the busy trail (unpleasant in a different way)…
There we got lost, but kept heading East on the sidewalk which eventually got us in to downtown, where it is easy to catch a bus back to Seattle on Pacific Street or at the train station.
Looking on Google maps, it might be nicer to take 30th Ave into Tacoma from Ruston.
This ride is surprisingly short and and very nice.