Northwest Cycle Report

As it happens every year around this time, I found myself in the garage twiddling around with the scoot in preparation for the Oyster Run. I figured that, since it is the 25^th anniversary of the Run, I should maybe scrape some of the larger hunks of dirt from the bike.

Gotta look good, ya know.

With one thing and another, the time had run out on me, as also usually happens this time of year, so it was the night before the run. So I decided to just pack up and ride.

Morning dawned and I rode to pick up my backseat partner and the two of us cruised on over to the local dealership, where a pre-Run breakfast was underway. This was perfect for two reasons.

First, there is always something cool happening there before big events. Second, the shop would be closing down right after the breakfast ended at 9AM, so the staff could all go to the Run.

Nice!

Sausage, eggs, hash browns, coffee, OJ, bread……I mean, this is the food of the gods! So, suitable stoked and having met up with a goodly crew of riders, we headed out for a short hop down to the Mukilteo ferry and a nice ride up Whidbey Island to Anacortes.

In the hallowed halls of the weather gods, there were smiles all around as the guy in charge of sunshine and blue skies worked overtime to make the day nearly perfect. Twenty or so bikes in our group and all levels of riders made the ride a nice relaxing putt. We stopped along the way to relax at the Deception Pass bridge and then sauntered on to Anacortes.

For those who have been to Oyster Run, you know that it is one of the biggest all-bike rallies in the state, and this year was no exception. Unofficial count had the attendance at 20,000, give or take a bike. We met up with countless groups of folks I only see each year at the Run, and many more who were there for the first time, as well as those who came from quite a distance.

During the day, we strolled along the main street and ate oysters, drank cold brews and generally enjoyed the company of rowdy, disgusting, leather-clad biker trash. Oh, wait…..that’s me!

About the only disappointment was that the unusually warm summer has resulted in the condition known as red tide. That meant no raw oysters, unless you are interested in colonic distress.

So, instead of oyster shooters, there were lots of baked, steamed and grilled bivalves to be had, and these were simply huge! I am proud to say that I downed my share.

Also missing this year was at least one of the beer gardens, although there was another one at the extreme north end of the street. Naturally, it required a visit, just to verify that all was well.

It was!

As the day wore on, there were plenty of vendors’ booths to check out and old acquaintances to renew. One of our group had never been to Sturgis and asked if this gathering was anything like the big rally is reputed to be.

What would YOU answer? Well, that’s what I said, too.

As the sun began to get long in the west, we decided to take the most winding and scenic ride back to town that we could find. Our goal was never to come within sight of any kind of actual freeway or even a decent sized highway. Twisting through the reservations and back roads, we made it and even got to ride in the shade part of the way.

Now, I don’t know if this was the perfect ride. Heck, EVERY ride is perfect. But, as days in the saddle go, this one was right up there. I’m already thinking about next year.

Guess that gives me plenty of time to clean up the bike!

Ride safe!