Upcoming COGS Weekend Getaways 2010

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COGS Weekend Getaways are reserved for COGS members only.

Schedule for 2010

April 23, 24 and 25 Sun Lakes Resort

We will go east to get the sun and ride through some amazing scenery and visit Gran Coulee Dam.

 

May 22 and 23 A Sunny Yakima Weekend

Saturday we ride to Tieton and Sunday we will do the "Your Canyon for a Day Bike Tour." 

 

June 11, 12 and 13 Columbia Gorge

This getaway will include the Gorge Ride, sponsored by the Friends of the Historic Columbia Gorge Highway.

 

July TBD Beautiful Birch Bay

Over the course of 3 days we will cycle to Lummi Island, Lynden and Peace Arch Park.

 

August TBD The San Juan Islands Tour

We will stay in Friday Harbor at Wayfarers Inn and cycle San Juan Island, Orcas and Lopez

 

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Sun Lakes Resort   April 23-25

Soap Lake and Grand Coulee Dam April 23, 24, and 25 

Come spend 3 days cycling and sightseeing in one of the most

interesting and spectacular areas of Eastern Washington.   

Friday Ride

Time: 9:30

Meet: Inn at Soap Lake

Distance: 48 miles

Pace: Moderate

Ride Terrain: Mostly flat with a few hills

Details: We will do a loop and ride along the shores of 3 lakes in area.  

Saturday Ride

Time: 9:30

Meet: Inn at Soap Lake

Distance: 45 miles

Pace: Moderate

Ride Terrain: Mostly flat with a few hills

Ride Description: We will drive our cars to Steamboat Rock Park for the start.  We will ride along Banks Lake to the Grand Coulee Dam and Visitor Center. Lunch in Grand Coulee City. 

Sunday Ride

Time: 9:30

Meet: Inn at Soap Lake

Distance: 45 miles

Pace: Moderate

Ride Terrain: Mostly flat with a few hills

Ride Description: We will drive our cars to Potholes State Park.  Our ride will take us pass Drumheller Channels and thru the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge for a picnic lunch at McManamon Lake. We will return to Seattle from here. 

Lodging: We will be staying at the historic beach front Inn at Soap Lake 800-557-8514.Check out their web sitehttp://www.soaplakewa.com/.  They have cottages on the lake with fully furnished kitchens as well as single and double rooms. Cottages are 130.00 per night, rooms are 59.00 to 85.00. For the weekend we are there if you reserve two nights the third night is free. We can bring food and do some grocery shopping in Soap Lake for potluck dinner Saturday night. 

For those with campers there is also Soap Lake RV Resort near by call 509-246-0413. 

Directions: Soap Lake is located approximately 3 hours from Seattle. Take I-90 to exit 151 Hwy 283 to Soap Lake.  It is best to drive over on Thursday evening April 22.

Tour Coordinator: Email Mary Jo at maryjo1532@hotmail.com 206-546-0645

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May 22 and 23 - A Sunny Yakima Weekend

Come and ride in Yakima where the sun is shining and the apples trees are blooming. We might even do a little wine tasting while we are there.

On Sunday will do the “Your Canyon for a Day Bike Tour”.  This is a 35-mile ride through the scenic Yakima River Canyon with a gentle grade and few hills and no traffic.

Saturday: Yakima to Tieton Loop

Ride Start: Cedar Suites 1010 East A St

Meet At: 9:15am leave 9:30 am
RidePace: Moderate.
RideDistance: 40 miles.
RideTerrain: Mostly flat and very little traffic. 

Details: We will have lunch in Tieton.

Sunday Ride: Your Canyon for a Day Bike Tour
Time:  9:00 start
Where: Roza Recreation Site (mile post 7), check in at mile post 3 on SR 821.
Distance: 35 miles
Registration Fee: $35.00

Ride Description: This is a 35-mile ride through the scenic Yakima River Canyon.  The road follows the Yakima River up a gentle grade with few hills. It is sponsored by Yakima County Crime Stoppers and highway is closed to through traffic. You can sign up in advance at their web site . http://www.crimestoppersyakco.org/index.php?ID=46

Lodging: We will be staying at the Cedar Suites in Yakima.  Rooms are approx. $63/single or $67.00/ double plus tax when booked on Expedia. RV and camping are available at Yakima Sportsman State Park.  This is a busy weekend in Yakima so make a reservation soon.

 

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June 11, 12 and 13 Columbia Gorge

 

Come ride in the beautiful Columbia Gorge. On Friday we will ride along the Klickitat River.   On Saturday we will ride on the Oregon side do The Gorge Ride, sponsored by the Friends of the Historic Columbia Gorge Highway.   

Friday Ride: Along the Klickitat River

Time:  9:30 start 
Meet: In Lyle at Intersection of Hwy 14 and 142 
Distance: 40 miles 
Pace: Moderate (14-16 mph)

Ride Terrain: Mostly flat

Ride Description: We will meet in Lyle for the start of the ride.  It is a gorgeous out and back ride running along the Klickitat River. There is a store in Klickitat to buy lunch.   

Saturday Ride: The Gorge Ride

Time: 9:30 
Meet: Gorge Discovery Center 
Distance: 40 miles

Pace: Moderate (14-16 mph)

Ride Terrain: Some climbing in the beginning 
Ride Description: The Gorge Ride is sponsored by the Friends of the Historic Columbia Gorge. The ride is on the historic highway with low traffic, wildflowers and great views of the gorge. For sign up and details of the ride go to the web site: http://hcrh.org/GorgeRide09. html  

Sunday Ride: BZ Corners to Glenwood

Time:  9:30 start 
Meet: BZ Corners 
Distance: 43 miles 
Pace: Moderate (14-16 mph

Ride Terrain: Some Hills

Ride Description: We will ride through the fruit orchards and be treated to exceptional views of Hood River Valley and Mt. Hood.

Tour Coordinators: Mary Jo at maryjo1532@hotmail.com

Use the COGS email if you need a roommate or want to carpool.

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July  (Dates TBD) Birch Bay Weekend Getaway

Come spend 3 days biking the rural roads of Whatcom County. We will be staying in beautiful Birch Bay where we will ride along the bay, have Dutch pastries in Lynden and visit the Peace Arch Park. Evenings can be spent walking along the beach and enjoying the sunset. 

 

Friday Ride: Fairhaven to Lummi Island 
Time:  10:00 start 
Meet: Colophon Café in Fairhaven 
Distance: 40 miles 
Pace: Moderate (14-16 mph) 
Ride Terrain: Rolling with a few hills

Ride Description: We will meet at the Colophon Café in Fairhaven (S. Bellingham). We will bike along the bay and then take the ferry to Lummi Island for lunch. When we return we will have dinner at the Colophon Café before going to the Hostel. 

Directions to Colophon Café: From I-5: Take exit 250 off of the Freeway. Head west on Old Fairhaven Parkway about 1.6 mi. until you reach a stop light. Continue straight through the light, the street winds to the right becoming 10th Street - heading north. Proceed straight through the stop sign and park your car on the street. Café is located on Fairhaven Village Green. 

 

Saturday Ride: Birch Bay to Lynden 
Time: 9:30  
Meet: Pioneer Park in Ferndale

Distance: 40 miles

Pace: Moderate

Ride Terrain: Mostly flat with a few hills 
Ride Description: If you want to come up on Saturday, join us at Pioneer Park in Ferndale. We will ride to the Dutch town of Lynden for lunch and spend some time walking around the town. This is a nice rural ride with very little traffic. On the return to the hostel we will stop at the grocery to purchase food for dinner at the hostel. (Also lunch for Sunday)

 
Sunday Ride: Birch Bay to Peace Arch Park

Time:  9:00 start 
Meet: Birch Bay Hostel 
Distance: 40 miles 
Pace: Moderate 
Ride Terrain: Mostly flat with a few hills

Ride Description:  We will bike along the shore of Birch Bay heading north to the Peace Arch.    While at the park we will have lunch and enjoy the flower display and sculpture exhibit. The return ride will take us on a tour of the country side with a stop in Custer for ice cream. 

Lodging: We will be staying at the Birch Bay Hostel just 3 blocks from the beach. Make your own reservations at the hostel.  They have a limited number of private rooms.  All other rooms are shared rooms that accommodate 3 people. Linen and towels are provided.  Cost is $20 for a shared room or $45 for a private room with bath. Let them know you are with COGS. Hostel phone reservations: 360-371-2180

Kitchen facilities are available if you would like to bring food.  There are grocery stores in the area. We will do a potluck dinner on Saturday at the hostel. 

Directions to hostel: From Seattle-take I-5 north to Exit 266, turn left, go six miles to Blaine Road. Turn right, and go north two miles. Turn left on Alderson Road (flashing yellow light), then left again into Bay Horizon Park. Hostel is fourth building on the right. 

Tour Coordinators: Mary Jo at maryjo1532@hotmail.com

Use the COGS email if you need a roommate or want to carpool.

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August (Dates TBD) The San Juan Islands Weekend Getaway

 

The San Juan Islands are a bicycling paradise, with miles of country roads, only a few hills and low traffic. Join us for 3 days of island hopping and great bike riding.

Friday Ride: Friday Harbor 
Ride start: Start time approx. 1:00 
Meet: Meet at the hostel 
Ride Distance:  40 miles  
Ride Description:  We will ride out to Roche Harbor and around the island. 
Details:  Take the 11:05 Ferry from Anacortes, arrives in Friday Harbor at 12:10.  We will have lunch in Friday Harbor and then do a moderate paced ride around the Island. There is a grocery store on the main street in town for a sandwich for lunch and food for the weekend. 
 
Saturday Ride: Orcas Island 
Ride start: 8:45 ferry from Friday Harbor 
Distance: 40 miles 
Ride Description: We will ride to Eastsound Village and spend sometime at the market and then go on to Deer Harbor. Then back to the ferry dock for our return to Friday Harbor. 
Details: We will stop at the grocery store on our return to but food for dinner at the hostel.

Sunday Ride:  Lopez Island 
Ride start: 8:10 ferry from Friday Harbor 
Distance: 33 miles 
Ride Description:  We will ride around Lopez, the flattest of all the islands.  We will have lunch in town and be back at the dock in time to take the 3:25 ferry back to Anacortes.

Lodging: We will be staying at the Wayfarers Rest in Friday Harbor. This is a very nice inexpensive hostel just 5 blocks from the ferry dock with kitchen facilities. They have private rooms available in addition to a small dorm. Book soon since lodging is scarce and fills up fast in the Islands. They have just a 3 day cancellation policy.  See their website for details.   
Use the COGS email if you need a roommate or want to carpool.  
Tour Coordinator:Mary Jo at maryjo1532@hotmail.com  

Details: Leave your car at the upper parking lot at the ferry dock in Anacortes. Parking fee in Anacortes is 25.00 for 3 days.  The only ferry charge is going over to Friday Harbor.