Trike TripSept 2026
Port Angeles-Port Townsend-Sequim
Overview
This tour has an Early Bird component as well as the “main” tour. Early Birds ride beginning Sept 24th. Everybody else joins Sept 27th.
Early Birds
- Sept 24th: Early Birds depart PDX for four hour drive to Port Angeles where we have the super deluxe Riviera Inn Motel reserved for three nights. We’ll get dinner in town
- Sept 25th: Ride up Hurricane Ridge. Ride with GPS says 20 miles and 5400 feet of vertical. Those attempting without motor will depart at 5 am with a goal of reaching the peak at noon. Motor riders will get two batteries and will haul lunch, water and GoPros (oh! Thought you’d get away without Mel’s video? When has that happened?! Ever!!).
- Sept 26th: Take the 8:20am Black Ball Ferry to Victoria. Our most likely route is 43 mile roundtrip on the Lochside Trail. We’re going to lean on Paul’s local foodies for a downtown early dinner recommendation before returning on the 7:30pm ferry (9:30 Port Angeles arrival -so, lights on trikes).
Main Event
- Sept 27th: Early Birds caravan the 50 miles to Port Townsend -where we’ll have a “downtime” day as Paul gets trikes ready and Mel gets kitchen ready. Main Event folks drive from PDX. The whole group will be staying Sunday and Monday night at Reunion House at Fort Worden State Park. We’ll have a kitchen. That’s where we’ll be doing our Sunday and Monday family style meals. If you’re new to triking -or want a refresher- Janet will run an after-lunch safety clinic followed by a ride on Fort Worden’s 4 mile bike trail. Fort Worden is a mile and a half from downtown Port Townsend. There’s even an epoxy workshop at the Northwest Maritime Center School that day! We’ll cook dinner at the Reunion House. Everybody will pitch in for cooking and clean up.
- Sept 28th: Breakfast at Reunion House (see menu below). A Port Townsend ride chosen by our local hosts Paula and Leslie. We’ll cook dinner at the Reunion House
- Sept 29th: Breakfast at Reunion House then caravan to Sequim for a 1st of 2 rides chosen by Paula and Leslie. Dinner stop on our way back -so, we’ll be lights on after dinner for about an hour ride). Pitch camp in the Olympic Railway Inn
- Sept 30th: Local breakfast option, then head off for 2nd Paula/Leslie rides (Olympic Discovery Trail). Dinner in town. Last night at Olympic Railway Inn.
- October 1st: Break camp. Load trikes. Head home.
Transportation
From Portland, early birds will haul all the trikes, batteries and stuff. That means +/- 14 trikes. Paul’s got local friends we can stash the extra trikes at to keep them safe thurs -sun.
The Sunday arrivals -Janet, Rachel, Gay, Miriam and Bev will depart PDX Sunday morning.
Past trike trips, folks flying in could get picked up at SeaTac. But, getting to Olympic Peninsula doesn’t route thru Seattle and there’s little time advantage driving SeaTac to destination over flying into PDX. So, we’re recommending out-of-towners fly into PDX.
Getting everybody there and back is its own logistics chore, so PLEASE let me know if you need a ride one/both ways.
Equipment
Please view the Daily Checklist Page
With the exception of those bringing their own trikes, Janet will supply trikes. Janet and I ride without motors. You can ride without a motor. Doesn’t matter how slow you go. We have NO PLACE we have to be! If you need a motor, please let us know. (note: early birds riding up Hurricane Ridge may want a motor!). All trikes will have water bottle cage, dual flags and lights for darkness and/or rain (we will have at least one ride in darkness). Motor trikes will have rear racks and saddle bags (“panniers”). If you’ve got a motor, you’ll be our mules for any extra load.
Please share your height with us so we can be sure to pick the most appropriately sized trike for you.
Safety
Safety Video: We hired the recumbent industry’s most handsome spokesmen to provide the safety video below (and we defy ANYONE to produce a spokesman MORE handsome. Everything’s relative, ain’t it?).
Helmet: EVERYONE must wear a helmet. Please make sure you’ve got a properly-fitting undamaged helmet less than 5 years old.
Pedals: The number one safety rule for triking is that you must have your feet on the pedals at ALL times. If you’re used to clipping in and you have SPD-compatible shoes, we can accommodate that. If you have a different system, we may ask you to bring your shoes AND pedals. If you don’t clip in, we’ve got a whole section of our website on pedals. Or, just watch the video below and let us know what would make you comfortable.
Safety Talk and Shakedown Ride: On Sunday afternoon, Janet will run a safety seminar before our afternoon shakedown ride through Fort Worden. Even if you’re an experienced rider, it’s a great idea to refamiliarize yourself.
Safety
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Accommodations
This is our first time at Fort Worden. It’s been described as “rustic”. But, we’ve all survived the accommodations in Friday Harbor, so we’re tough. The biggest selling point is we’re all in one place and we’ve got a kitchen for breakfast and dinner.
The Railway Inn? No idea! It could be funky. It could be a disaster. No way of knowing. Since most of them have a 2nd sleeping area up top, you and your spouse/companion might find yourself with a suite mate. If that presents an issue, let me know.
What to Bring
Could be sunny and beautiful. Could be rainy and cold. We don’t mind. Bring
- Helmet purchased in last five years (preferably the last 2)
- Two water bottles or a Camelbak/equivalent which we’ll fashion to your trike
- Light rain gear
- Wool sweater, tights and socks (stays warm when wet)
- Cycling Gloves
- lightweight wool beanie for under your helmet (it can get surprisingly cold fast)
- Small Flashlight for navigating accommodations at night
- Garmin/Apple Watch (if you want to track your rides)
FOR EARLYBIRDS
We’ve been warned that Hurricane Ridge SUPER COLD. You’ll want a heavy sweater. You’ll want heavier cycling gloves. You’ll want a merino wool beanie for under your helmet.
Meals
Sunday Lunch: sandwiches, chips & cookies with sparkling water (upon arrival)
Sunday Dinner: Charcuterie Board. Pesto and Garlic Pasta with Scallops, Beet Salad, squash and corn casserole. Little T Bread, Chocolate Tart and Coronet frozen Custard with warm cookies. Wine & Beer
Monday Breakfast: Hash eggs with local smoked Pacific Pantry shoulder bacon, Leslie’s homemade cinnamon rolls, Mel’s cold brew coffee and fresh juice
Monday lunch: Picnic PBJ, local-smoked lunchmeat sandwiches, chips, cookies
Monday Dinner: Rack of lamb with garlic tomatoes and cannellini beans, fresh salad, cooked spinach, lemon tart & Tiramelsu (we will have an alternative for non-lamb eaters)
Tuesday Breakfast: hash eggs, French toast with maple syrup. Mel’s Cold brew coffee and fresh juice
Tuesday Lunch: Picnic PBJ, local-smoked lunchmeat sandwiches, chips, cookies
Tuesday Dinner: Olympic Bluff’s Cidery. Catered locally. Pies by Leslie!!(!!)
Weds Breakfast: Sequim Senior Center. Paula says they have a nice café. We’ll see if they can accommodate us.
Wed Lunch: TBD
Weds Dinner: Alder Wood Bistro is our current tentative plan
Thursday Breakfast: TBD
We’ll have plenty of snacks -trail mix, cookies, energy bars, etc.
Video
Yeah. It’s a drag. But, you’ll do what Mel asks ‘cause you’re all nice patient people. “Bunch up,” he’ll bark. You’ll want to reply, “fuck off!” but you won’t ‘cause -deep down- you respect his artistry. He’ll want to stop everybody to get cameras restarted. You’ll smile sweetly and comply despite whatever you’re muttering under your breath. Charlie will vomit whatever monologue he can’t contain. Likely, Mel will edit it out. Doug -likely- will NOT roll over. If he does, Mel will leave it in.
Rider List
