Sequim is a world-class area for bicycling of all varieties and we want to celebrate! There are plenty of chances to warm up for summer riding during May, the national “Bike Everywhere Month,” with group rides and other activities promoted by the Sequim Bicycle Alliance.
The month kicks off on Thursday, May 2nd, when you can hob-nob and Bike with the City Manager: Meet at 5pm on the Civic Center Plaza for a 1-hour ride to the Railroad Bridge on the ODT.
Join the artsy crowd on First Friday by bike, May 3rd: an officially-unorganized ride between galleries and other venues, but a great way to show off bright jerseys (May’s color is Aqua) and get in the spring spirit. Sequim’s First Friday Art Walk runs from 5 to 8pm at various locations; see http://www.sequimartwalk.com/ for details.
Saturday, May 11th: Ride downtown for “Bike Day at the Market,” 9am-3pm at Civic Center and along Cedar St., and cheer for the Sequim Wheelers in the Irrigation Parade on Washington Street, 12-2pm.
The Mayor of Sequim will make a proclamation promoting Bike Everywhere Month and Sequim’s designation as a “Bike Friendly Community” at the City Council’s May 13th meeting.
Friday, May 17th, National “Bike Everywhere Day:” Riders can grab a free cup of coffee and a snack at the Civic Center Plaza, 152 W. Cedar, on their morning travels, available from 7:30–9:30am.
The second annual Bike Rodeo is on Saturday, May 18th for kids in Kindergarten through 5th Grade, 11am-3pm at the Stadium parking lot next to Helen Haller Elementary. Activities include safety inspections, bike courses, and a celebration for all participants. Sponsored by the Olympic Peninsula Bicycling Alliance. For details contact Jeanie Robards at nwbikerlady@gmail.com or look online at www.olympicpeninsulacycling.com .
Monday, May 20th: the City’s Park, Arbor, and Recreation Board will meet jointly with the City Arts Advisory Commission and be happy to hear from the cycling community with ideas, opportunities, and concerns regarding bicycling in the City. Board meetings are at 5:30pm in the Civic Center Burkett Community Room, 152 W. Cedar St.
Saturday, May 25th is a Bicycle Swap Meet, 12-3pm, next to Rainshadow Coffee and Café, 157 W. Cedar St. Bring your cash, or something to sell! And a really good attitude. For details contact onefintrim@gmail.com or call 760-994-6825.
Close the month down with a Bike and Brew bang on Friday, May 31st with a short ride starting from Civic Center at 4:30pm and ending at the Peninsula Taproom, 210 W. Washington St., at 5:30pm!
In addition, EVERY Monday, Wednesday and Friday the Sequim Spoke Folks ride from 9:30am to noon or before (~20 miles), departing from 950 N. 5th Avenue (Sequim Community Church north lot). For details contact Tom Coonelly at 360-681-7053 or check out www.olympicpeninsulacycling.com.
EVERY Tuesday and Friday the Women on Wheels do various leisure, social, and “mini-hill” rides starting at 9:30am at Railroad Bridge Park (Dungeness River Audubon Center, western terminus of Hendrickson Road). For details contact Jeanie Robards, nwbikerlady@gmail.com. WoW is an Olympic Peninsula women's biking group, whose members have a wide range of skill and proficiency levels. If you'd like to join them on a ride, a bike helmet is required.
In addition, the Sequim Sunday Riders depart at 9:30am on Sundays from the Dungeness Wildlife Refuge at 554 Voice of America Road for a 25+ mile ride. For more information contact Randy Barber, 360-477-4156. And for a slightly shorter ride, join the Sequim Easy Riders medium-paced group, also starting at 9:30am, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. For details contact Bob Anundson at sequimboy@gmail.com.
You like friendly competition? Create or join a team for the “Bike Everywhere Challenge” (https://www.lovetoride.net/washington): this is a great way to motivate yourself, family, and friends to ride! Points can be earned by riding miles AND by encouraging others.
Also for the media savvy: register with the local Strava club, “Take a Spin in Sequim” – always ready for new members and posting photos (www.Strava.com) and Like the Sequim Cycling Facebook page. Sequim Wheelers also have a page on Facebook.
Bike Month events are coordinated by members of the Sequim Bicycle Alliance, with special support and contributions from City of Sequim, Olympic Peninsula Bicycling Alliance, Sequim School District, Pedego Sequim, Ben’s Bikes, and Rainshadow Coffee and Cafe. A complete schedule and details may be found on the City’s website, www.sequimwa.gov, search for “Sequim Bicycle Alliance” or “Bike Everywhere Month” or use #sequimcycling or #bikesunnysequim
Sequim Bicycle Alliance is an umbrella coordinating group for bicycling interests in eastern Clallam County, furthering the goals of Sequim’s Bronze-level “Bike Friendly Community” designation: education, encouragement, engineering, evaluation and planning, enforcement, and economic development. The group meets quarterly at the Sequim Civic Center; information about past meetings is available at the City’s website www.sequimwa.gov .