I love organized bicycle rides, starting with my first one in 1983, Rosarito to Ensenada, 50 miles and one brutal hill ending in a big party at Hussong’s. I have a dubious love affair with the Chilly Hilly. It’s a 33 mile circumnavigation of Bainbridge Island, packing in about 2,200 total feet of climbing. Traditionally, it takes place on the last Sunday in February. Yeah, it’s chilly and sometimes rainy. For that reason, I usually pass. This year’s winter ride was cancelled because of you know what. But Cascade Bicycle Club, who sponsors the event, decided that this year they would put on a summer version Chilly Hilly ... not chilly, still hilly. How could I say no?
The Chilly Hilly began as an organized ride in 1975 and has grown since then with over 1,000 riders participating. Bicycling Magazine named the Chilly Hilly “One of Four Classic Rides” in the nation. I just read that somewhere so don’t ask me what the other three are. For this year’s summer Chilly Hilly, which occurred just this last Sunday, August 1st, there were over 1,300 riders.
One of the joys of the Chilly Hilly is a 55 minute ferry ride from Colman Dock on the Seattle waterfront over to Winslow on Bainbridge Island. I will never tire of this cheap cruise with its wind and views, and watching the ferry crew ballet of loading and unloading.
The ride weather was pleasantly warm after the morning chill passed. A thin veil of high altitude wildfire smoke cast a warm tone. The ride traces a route around the perimeter of Bainbridge Island through woods and along shorelines. It’s scenic, for sure. There are hills. I negotiated most climbs but there were two hills where I had to pull off and catch my breath for a couple minutes. I hadn’t done much riding beforehand and I’m 66 years old, but I hung in there well with all the youngsters on the ride. The downhills were exhilarating. I hit a maximum speed of 46 mph on one of the downhills, which when I think back on it is scary as all f**k.
At the finish line were free sodas and ice cream bars. I caught the return ferry back along with other riders. I leaned on the car deck rail and gazed over the waters of Puget Sound and distant wooded hills. All too soon I disembarked and there at the ferry dock I met up with my wife. While I was riding, she had done a 15 mile loop walk from the waterfront, through Interbay, Ballard, Fremont, Lake Union, downtown Seattle and back to the waterfront. Together we had a nice lunch at one of the many eateries along the Seattle waterfront.
I didn’t get any photos along the ride. Trust me, it was beautiful.