Brevets - Event View

Based on RUSA Permanent #4829 - A Day in Whatcom

From Bow to Canada, from the Bay to the farmlands, spend a day on the roads of Whatcom and Skagit Counties. This region contains multitudes. Today (or tonight, whatever your flavor), you'll see some of its greatest accessible lowland hits. As an added bonus, the route never peaks above 175m above sea level. Check the wind report using Windy or Randoplan, however, and make sure you're in the right mindset - from the coast to the inland flats, the wind can get moving around these parts. There are quite a few train crossings in the route’s first 60k and you’ll be spending some time out near the refinery. Listen for shift change whistles and watch for long trains if you’re into trainspotting. This ride is chock-a-block with services.


Cafe Velo patio. Fingers crossed for a sunny morning!

The ride starts at Cafe Velo Coffee & Bikes. Run by Kim and Andrew, this wonderful shop serves up pastries, coffees, beers, delicious sandwiches, and bike service. There is only one restroom so plan accordingly (read: arrive early if you need it). You will find plenty of street parking in the vicinity but take the finish location into consideration. Check the map below for some parking suggestions. Kulshan Brewery Sunnyland is about a 10-15 minute flat pedal through Bellingham’s lovely Sunnyland neighborhood from Cafe Velo. To begin your clockwise route you'll be heading north out of town along surface streets and will quickly be in rural lands. As you skirt the water, you'll see Bellingham Bay on your left, your first of the day's four Bays. Stick to the water's edge as you traverse the unceded territory of the Lummi Nation. Your first control comes at Gooseberry Point where you are asked about the Lummi Bay Market to your right. Lots of services right away so if you forgot anything you’re in good shape here. Continue out of “town”. The road here gets a little busy but the shoulder is wide - just keep an eye out for debris.

The road towards Lake Terrell is your first batch of long rollers. There isn't anything too testing here, but it's a good opportunity to check the systems and make sure legs are warmed up for what's coming up later in the ride (nearly all of the climbing comes in the last 90kms). It is out here that you're in BP and refinery country. After you turn left onto Aldergrove Road you’ll cross through BNSF’s Elliott Yard switching area near the refinery. After this you’re going to cross a few yellow gated roads that indicate BP’s privately held recreational territory. Out here the roads are closed to vehicle traffic and the lands have been set aside for public usage. Expect to see families, walkers, and off-leash dogs out playing in the fields. It’s a great space. Once you’ve passed through this land you’re on your way to the town and the geographic feature of Birch Bay. Birch Bay State Park will come up rapidly and here there are bathrooms that you'll pass by. Drinkable water is available during the non-winter months, too.

Spin along Birch Bay Drive towards Shintaffer Road, then along to Drayton Harbor Road. From here it isn't far to the next control at H Street Plaza in downtown Blaine. Those big apartment blocks you can make out in the distance are in the city of White Rock, BC. Wave at the Canadians after taking a picture of the Plaza's statue with the marina in the background. Investigate that statue closely. There are plenty of services here so take your pick and you are now ready to begin your eastward journey into the inland farmlands. From here winds blow strongly east to west and west to east as opposed to those northerly/southerly winds along the water. The roads are generally quiet but you will be among larger trucks and farm vehicles before too long.

Stop by Sunshine Grocery, one of my favorite convenience stores simply due to its lonely location among the fields. Many roads out here run at 90 degrees, making any wind feel like your best friend or your arch rival. Tuck in with a friend and knock out a few dozen exposed kilometers. If it’s hot, enjoy the smell of Maberry Packing’s berry fields in the afternoon sun. The roads are wide, generally smooth, and offer great views of Kulshan (Mt. Baker) when the sky is clear.

Loomis Trail Road can stretch on for a while but it's pan flat and takes you to the best stroopwafel this side of Amsterdam at the Lynden Dutch Bakery (Ed. note: not responsible for alternative claims). Lucky for you, this is the control. Grab a snack at the Bakery and admire the gables or go directly across the street for a more complete lunch of coffee and a sandwich from Avenue Bread. As you roll east through Lynden, take note of the windmills, painted bikes, and the free public restroom on your left just a block from the Dutch Bakery control. Be happy that you'll have had over 100ks of flat riding in your legs. After exiting Lynden comes flat Pulver and Van Dyk Roads. After this there will be very few flat kilometers until arriving at the Kulshan Brewery finish.

As the roads begin tilting decidedly southward you are on your way towards Squalicum “Mountain”, the ride's high point and next control. There is no Souvenir Henri Desgrange at the 175m peak but I believe in taking the time to note any ride's high point. Roll along over the “peak”, spin for a few flat kilometers and reach the Squalicum control at the intersection of Squalicum & Jensen Roads. Be aware of some Washington forestry signage. Easy peasy. Pick up some speed on Agate Bay Rd and enjoy a little preview of lake views. Lake Whatcom, Bellingham's watershed, is in front of you and you'll spend a while circumnavigating it. Let’s change scenes - enough of the open water and farmland roads. Time for trees and grippier terrain.


Lake Whatcom Boulevard

You are going to be on some tighter roads than you have been for a while, namely North Shore Road and Lake Whatcom Boulevard. Traffic is, generally speaking, a little slower but keep the narrower shoulders in mind. After zipping along North Shore Road you’ll pop back into Bellingham for a short while. You’ve just completed the northern half of this almost-figure-8 loop. As you ride along this end of Lake Whatcom you will see people crowded at Blodel Donovan Park on a warm day. Services are in front of you so do not fret if you’re running dry! Lake Whatcom Boulevard is a nice ride but can see a little traffic: for the most part you’re among locals so don’t fret, just ride along. The town (hamlet?) of Sudden Valley is Washington state’s second largest HOA. Cool? Undecided. The Valley Convenience Market, however, is top tier: very well stocked with a pretty excellent hot case. Avail yourself. For the next few kilometers you're in for some gorgeous riding that is completely different from the flat farmlands of a few hours ago: rolling and deeply forested blacktop along the edge of the largest regional lake, weaving between Lookout and Anderson Mountains. Moody in the fall, lush and verdant in the summer. It almost doesn't get better. The stretch from Sudden Valley to the Glenhaven Market is one of the Author’s favorites in the entire region.

Lake Whatcom Boulevard, Cain Lake Road, Butler Creek Road, Parson Creek Road, Friday Creek Road. You're amongst the water. Along Cain Lake Road through Glenhaven there can often be quite a bit of gravely debris in combo with a rumble strip. The shoulder is wide but isn’t always usable. Decide if you need the Glenhaven Convenience Store. There are some decent toilets at Donovan Park, on Friday Creek Road. Roll alongside the babbling Friday Creek until you join up with Old Highway 99, the main north/south regional route in the pre-I-5 days. From here it's straight up Bow Hill Rd in front of you to the control at Bow Hill Market. It's steep and only gets steeper but thankfully it's short and there are yet more roller dogs available at the clean and well stocked Bow Hill Market at the top. Look at all those pumps! When you crest Bow Hill Road you’re looking out at the townships of Bow, Edison, Samish Island and Samish Bay. Enjoy a fast descent down to sea level!

Your final challenge remains with the gently rolling but highly rewarding Chuckanut Drive. As you turn off of Blanchard Road and onto Chuckanut Drive, you’ll encounter your last control. Mind the traffic here. Bicycles routinely ride this road but check your visibility before starting out. That's Samish Bay to your left. Not far up the road is the Lost Lake trailhead parking lot with vault toilets and a water tap that is available three seasons out of the year.

Your final control awaits at the Sunnyland location of Kulshan Brewery. After weaving through town, enjoy a pint and one of Ralf’s giant pretzels. There are an abundance of take-out friendly restaurants in the immediate vicinity and Kulshan always has a food truck. The Author's preferred move is to order a Coconut Kenny's sandwich for pickup when riding through Fairhaven; they are right next door to Kulshan and you can eat either in the beer garden or inside as the brewery allows outside food. If you've timed it right, it's time to grab a beer and make some new friends. You earned it!

Here are some parking zone suggestions if you don't want to pay for street parking all day near the start. These are all neighborhood areas so be chill. They are set between Cafe Velo (Start) and Kulshan Brewing Sunnyland (Finish).


Parking suggestions. Click image for larger version.

Start

Cafe Velo
120 Prospect St #2
Bellingham, WA 98225
Business Hours: Saturday 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM (but will open early for us!)

7:00 AM - Rider check-in begins
7:55 AM - Ride briefing
8:00 AM - Ride bikes

Please contact the ride organizer if you will be arriving after 8:00 AM or if you are registered and choose to not start.

Finish

Kulshan Brewing Co - Sunnyland
2238 James St
Bellingham, WA 98225
Business Hours: Saturday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Note: Printed cuesheets will not be available at the start. You may choose to print your own. To print a cuesheet:

• Open the route link above.
• Click the More button.
• Click Print Cuesheet.

Registration