Weekend Guide: Bike at night, bike naked, bike for ice cream + more!
FREE BIKE has been a blast so far, but we are just halfway through the ten-day calendar.
We challenged you all to make your bike ride and event ideas reality July 1-10, and you came through. The calendar currently has 22 events ranging from a WSDOT bike ride through the Bertha digging site to the World Naked Bike Ride. There are literally events from sunrise to sunset.
It's not too late to add your idea to calendar.
To keep up on what's happening around town and save a few dates that jump out at you, be sure to visit the official FREE BIKE Calendar.
Here's a look at what's on tap this weekend:
FridaySeattle Night Ride
July 8 @ 9:00 pm - 12:30 pmPeddler Brewing$35 Cascade members | $45 non-membersOK, this one is not technically a FREE BIKE ride because it costs money. But Cascade's annual Seattle Night Ride is definitely within the spirit of bike fun.
I checked, and you can register at the start line between 8:30 and 10 p.m. More ride details:
City lights, summer nights, and glowing bikes at the Seattle Night Ride! Back for a second year, the Seattle Night ride is a fun and unique urban event for anyone who enjoys a summer night cruise by bike.
The 15-mile route begins at Peddler Brewing Company along the Burke-Gilman Trail, and winds across the University Bridge and along Lake Union. Riders are then taken down to the scenic Myrtle Edwards Park midpoint and continue on the Elliott Bay, Ship Canal and Burke-Gilman bike trails to loop back the finish line party at Peddler.
Riders will have the opportunity to trick out their bikes and join a rockin' bike train before heading out for the night. The midpoint will feature live entertainment, snacks and more all with the perfect Elliott Bay backdrop. The route ends at Peddler Brewing Company for the Night Ride after party with a food truck, local craft brews, bean bag toss and much more!
Costumes and bike accessories (safe for riding) are welcome and highly encouraged! Please note that a HEAD LIGHT, RED TAIL LIGHT and a red rear reflector are required for this ride. Riders need to be safe!
Or if you prefer to speak French on your night rides"
Tour de Nuit
July 8 @ 9:00 pm - 10:30 pmCafi(C) Presse (meet & end outside), 1117 12th Ave Seattle , 98122+ Google Map
Ride bikes. Speak French. Have fun. Monsieur Daniel Byrne will guide an evening tour, in French, of the historic Harvard-Belmont District in Capitol Hill. Mme Sheri Renner will serve as translator. Route includes tree-lined streets, wooden ravines, a hidden alleyway, and a few other surprises. We'll begin and end outside Cafi(C) Presse or possibly across the street, depending on the crowd. Bring some cash for coffee, dessert and/or a drink afterward. Head and tail lights required. Let's be safe. Merci beaucoup.
SaturdayThe next one is technically free, though obviously Sounders tickets cost money. But hey, go valet your bike and watch the game from a nearby bar. That counts!
Bike to the Match - Bike Valet for Seattle Sounders
July 9 @ 9:30 am - 3:00 pm 800 Occidental Ave S Seattle,
Celebrate Sounders FC's Green Day by biking to SEA v LA! Park your bike in the free bike valet near the NW corner of CenturyLink Field, off of Occidental Ave S. presented by CHI Franciscan Health and operated by Bike Works. First 600 folks to use the valet receive some cool swag! Match Time: Noon
The Fruit Cycle
July 9 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 2101 N Northlake WaySeattle, WA 98103 United States
Join City Fruit on a ride to explore Seattle's historic fruit trees! Carl Leighty and Patrick Mann will guide the ride, starting at Gas Works Park. You'll visit orchards along the Burke-Gilman Trial and at the Good Shepherd Center as well as heritage trees along the ride.
This is an intermediate level ride mainly due to hills. All abilities are welcome, but the route includes an extended low hill climb, and a couple short hills. Streets are mostly low traffic residential streets.
Ride to Rail
July 9 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pmVentoux Roasters and Hart Coffee,
3404 NE 55th StSeattle, WA, 98105
King County In Motion, Ventoux Roasters, and Seattle Neighborhood Greenways invite residents of Ravenna-Bryant to come enjoy a guided bike ride along the Burke-Gilman Trail and learn more about connecting to the UW Link Station and Matthew's Beach. Using your neighborhood greenways and bike paths, our guides will lead two fun, family-friendly bike rides around your neighborhood:
- a 6-mile roundtrip ride from Ventoux Coffee to the UW Light Rail Station.
- a 12-mile roundtrip ride from Ventoux Coffee to the UW Light Rail Station and then to Matthew's Beach.
Based on your skill level, preference, and interest you can choose which ride is right for you!
World Naked Bike Ride 2016!
July 9 @ 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm 2101 N Northlake WaySeattle, WA 98103 United States
The World Naked Bike Ride is a worldwide phenomenon, and has been growing steadily since it's inception in cities across the world, though the Seattle ride is typically on the small side (~40-50 riders). The World Naked Bike Ride serves a number of purposes, not the least of which is to protest the over-reliance on car culture, dependence on fossil fuels, calling attention to the vulnerability of cyclists on the road, and promoting body acceptance and positive depictions of nudity in cultures where it is sorely needed.
We're pleased to be able to host this year's ride to coincide with the first annual Free Bike Seattle"we can't think of a better way to for everyone to celebrate freedom than to provide an event where you're able to free yourself from your clothing and joining us for our ride this year!
Where: Gas Works Park - This year's ride will both begin and end at Gas Works park, though there is always the possibility of joining us along the route if you prefer (you'll find details of our route posted in the near future on our Facebook page).
Thank you - The organizers of WNBR 2016
PS - Up to the minute details can be found at our Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/871377149656551/
Bike Above Bertha
July 9 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm 211 First Ave SSeattle, 98104
On Saturday, July 9th from 5:30- 7:00 p.m., the Washington State Department of Transportation will be hosting a Bike Above Bertha tour. This is a free bike tour that enables the public to see the full scale of the SR 99 Tunnel Project, and provides a unique way of viewing and understanding the historical, archaeological and engineering aspects of this project.
Important tour information:
- The tour will cover approximately six miles and should take approximately 90 minutes.
- The tour will be limited to nine guests. Participants must register ahead of time for the tours.
- Participants will start and end the tour at Milepost 31 (211 First Ave. S., Seattle), in Pioneer Square.
- No one under 16 is allowed unless they are on a tandem bike with a parent and an underage waiver is signed.
- All participants will be responsible for their own bike, helmet, and all other cycling equipment. Don't have a bike, or are just in town visiting? Pronto Bikes has two close locations to rent bicycles and helmets to use for the tour.
- No pets allowed.
- Participants must sign a liability waiver on the day of the tour.
To register, please call Milepost 31, the project's information center, at 206-995-8448 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, or email James Grindle at Grindlj@wsdot.wa.gov.
SundayWest Seattle STP
July 10 @ 9:15 am - 11:30 am 1315 California Way SWSeattle, 98116
Have you ever wanted to do the Seattle to Portland bike ride? Or even wanted to do the 1-day STP? And never trained for it? Or, if you never, ever wanted to do the STP but want to say you did?
Here is your big fat chance!
Do it in 2 hours, and end up at a huge finish line party! One week before Cascade's big STP, so perfect for training for that in case you forgot.
West Seattle Bike Connections will be riding from SW Seattle Street in the Admiral neighborhood to SW Portland St in Fauntlee Hills, and back north to Summerfest at the West Seattle Junction, for a fabulous finish line party. After an hour or two there, participants can ride home independently, or ride with a leader back to Hamilton Viewpoint. Family friendly, easy pace. A Cascade free daily ride.
For details see WSBC Facebook page or blog. It's a Cascade free daily ride. Save time at the start by registering here.
Bicycle Sundae!
July 10 @ 6:00 pm - 10:00 pmRecycled Cycles, 1007 NE Boat St, Seattle, WA 98105Seattle, 98105
Join us as we celebrate summer, delicious frozen deserts and biking with a super fun ride to finish off the week's activities. Teams of 2 or more (if you don't have a partner, come solo, there will be many) will be given riddles and clues that will lead to toppings and frozen desserts that need to be picked up at various locations. Your last clue will lead you to the location of the Bicycle Sundae potluck. Bring a spoon, $5 (suggested donation), and a swimming suit.
Happy FREE BIKE!