[williswall]

There have been a few members here who expressed interest in doing this bike orbit, which I posted in Partners section, so I thought I'd offer some thoughts after completing it these past four days (Sunday to Wednesday). If I take into account all things, the great weather, a strong partner, lack of mechanical problems etc, neither of us would recommend this ride due to dreadful traffic (including huge volumes of trucks), and sketchy roads. Here's the rundown. Day 1: Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal to Port Angeles (76 miles/4000') (Caught the 7:55 ferry from Seattle) One of the better days in that despite a constant stream of traffic, in most places the shoulders were OK. We took advantage of trails and side roads on occasion which helped and was pleasant, but migrated back to the main road because of gnarly tiny climbs that required standing, like when a trail dipped under a road. All in all not a bad day and we pulled into the Olympic Lodge at 5, taking advantage of their hot tub and eating across the drive. Very comfortable beds. Day 2: Port Angeles to Kalaloch (112 miles/5600') This was both the best day and the worst. Great weather, beautiful scenery along the beaches and next to gentle rivers, a grazing elk herd but....closure of Highway 101 necessitated a detour which added 14 miles to the day and put us on highway 112, the most treacherous part of the trip. Little to no shoulder and a constant stream of logging trucks and yahoos going the speed of heat. Lars was forced into the soft shoulder once by a logging truck but managed to stay upright on his skinny tires, and the same AHole laid on his horn as he passed me in an attempt to startle me off the road. Shoulders are the safety net on a ride like this and the lack of shoulders on this crowded, winding road with cars and trucks doing 20 mph over the speed limit make it extremely dangerous. Good pizza in Forks. Back on 101, we took in the sights of the western beaches and rolled into Kalaloch at 7:20 PM to enjoy an elk burger, beers and cool sunset. Lodging was adequate but before Memorial day the hours are limited. We had to run back to the main lodge to get something to eat and drink before they closed at 8. Day 3: Kalaloch to Shelton (Little Creek Casino) (118 miles/3500') Late start due to breakfast not opening until 8, but french press coffee made it worthwhile. During a stop at a convenience store the proprietor warned us on our planned route (narrow roads, speeders, no shoulder) so we decided to stay on the main drag and go through Hoquiam and Aberdeen, adding 16 miles to the day....we did not want a repeat of highway 112. With one foot in a clip and starting out, I slid on some gravel and crashed, taking the brunt of the fall on my left rib cage. On this long day I was also starting to battle saddle sores, something I've never experienced before. View wise this entire day was spent gazing upon the slash piles and clear cuts and baby tree farms while being passed by logging trucks with long stretches of nothing. The phrase that came to mind for both of us was "land rape." This part of the ride had no remaining natural forest in view from the road. Aberdeen was a bit of a pain to get through. What saved the day was gentle terrain and decent roads the last 30 miles, with no appreciable climbs and a return to a semblance of civilization. Official sunset was about 8:20 and we rolled into the Casino at 8:40 with some natural light left. Day 4: Shelton to Bremerton ferry (47 miles/2400') What with my achy side and saddle sores, this last day was thankfully short. But traffic was again abysmal and the beginning parts of Highway 3 had poor shoulder to work with. This situation didn't last too long and for most of the ride the shoulder was adequate to provide a buffer from the speeding trucks and cars....but not the constant din. Also some long climbs. The final descent approaching Bremerton we both decided to be cautious so rode the brakes to keep the speed down, and we rolled into the ferry terminal just in time to board the 1:30 to Seattle. Other Considerations: average speeds will be lower as we were bike packing for lodging, carrying clothing and accoutrements for each night plus bike gear. I was running tubeless but made sure I had a couple of tubes plus a spare tire plus repair gear; you blow something out on the west side of the peninsula, there's no easy pick up or bike shop or garage to help you out. All this made the bikes a bit weighty. Going supported would simplify things considerably and make for easier pulling. Despite some very picturesque and pleasant riding, good accommodations, favorable weather, compatible and strong partner and luck, the dangerous traffic and road conditions found frequently along the entire orbit makes this a "not recommended" ride, at least in the iteration that we did. PM me for more info if you really want to do it for the unedited version. <div style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;"></div><script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"></script> Olympic Peninsula Bike Orbit: Apr 22-25/2018 from Willis Wall on Vimeo.

[DigitalJanitor]

I'd kinda wondered about the traffic + log truck/RV sitch. We've scared ourselves sufficiently just going over the Newport OR bridge once to swear off 101 riding forever, but having grown up in PA and almost nailed by big chunks of bark flying off the load while just walking home.... yeah, never was high on my list. Here's an alternative route but I don't know if it can properly be called 'better', lol. https://ridewithgps.com/routes/19123394 Impressive daily stats!

[Randito]

I did a similar orbit in 2007 and did the hood canal last summer. Before the 2007 trip I was concerned about logging trucks. After that trip, logging trucks not so much a concern, they are professionals, know their clearances and have a CDL to protect. The "1-800-RV4-RENT" vehicles where the ones that passed uncomfortably close, but the worse experiences were being passed by outsized diesel pickup trucks with lots of chrome that would slow as they approached, only to gun it just as their exhaust pipe was parallel to my head, blasting black smoke into my face.

[JonnyQuest]

[RichP]

I've done some bike touring and truckers were among the best and most courteous drivers. It's the guys in the big pick ups like Randy said that like to play chicken with you and generally be jerks. I did the same loop of the peninsula but in the mid 80's. Back then the Hood Canal Bridge was two lanes with narrow shoulders and was the scariest part for me.

[Brushbuffalo]

Interesting nostalgia, willis wall . In August of 1962 my brother and three friends and I, all in our mid-teens, road our bikes around the Olympic Peninsula from Tacoma. We camped under plastic sheets that we would support from cord strung between trees. We rode Schwinn "Traveler" 3 speed bikes , or equivalent. None of us had fancy 10 speed " racing bikes." Helmets were unknown, as were padded short s or bike shoes.. As I recall we camped at Twanoh State Park the first night, next at Sequim SP, then at Lake Crescent ( with a side trip to soak in Sol Duc Hot Spring, car-shuttled to and from Crescent by the dad of one of the lads), next at Bogachiel SP, at Kalaloch, then Humptulips ( I think), and finally at Schafer SP before returning to Tacoma. I recall a couple of close calls with recreational trailers being driven by yahoos, one of whom screamed "Get those bikes off the road!" But the worst sensation of danger was the narrow part of 101 along Lake Crescent. Oh, and my Mom rode all the way with us, too! She was treasurer, dispensing a daily quarter to each of us for lunch. I usually bought a can of apple sauce and a pound of brown sugar, mixed it, and ate that for lunch. By the way, my teeth are good and didn't turn out like this!

[williswall]

Good stories, didn’t think this was an original idea....

[tmatlack]

WW, What kind of bike? Tom

[Gregory]

I have often wondered if this trip lived up to expectations.I used to be a bicycle fanatic and have done the STP in a day and raced around Ranier and such.The trip out to the west end just looked dangerous and not fun to me.Used to work at the old Hoh resort for extra money and met a lot of really fun Canadian and Europeans that would start in PA and go to Cali.None had too much good to say about the ride. I have often wondered about a logging road route around/through the Olympics though.Start at the Skoke. Cut over to the wynootchee........

[Randito]

[williswall]

[AlpineRose]

Riding your bike along 112 was possibly the most dangerous thing you've ever done. Glad you survived.

[RodF]

Did you ride any segments of the Olympic Discovery Trail?

[Brushbuffalo]