San Juan Is., WA-side trip advice

After researching, booking, checking ferry schedules... (Washington State, B.C. ferries..and even our local B.C.transit as backup), for our self-loaded 4 day bike trip..feels like a 1/4 marathon ..to ensure we grab scarce accommodations towards end of June.

It will include Vancouver Island, maybe Saltspring Island or Cowichan Bay...which we've cycled both destinations several times.

Anyway, would like a pleasant bike route on San Juan Island. After breakfast, on a Monday..we hope to do some nice riding and catch 3:00 pm ferry back to Vancouver Island (Swartz Bay, 35 kms. outside of Victoria). We will be arriving San Juan, on Sunday just after supper.

And is it true to easily see orca whales from shore at that island?

As a B.C. coastal resident, I find that almost hard to believe.

Will summarize trip/distance/activities later.. Trip will cover his birthday..a signature year. So it will include winery visit or 2 on Vancouver Island.

am bumping this up..'cause I'm certain some folks living not far, would have done this island ages ago. I've been told it is flatter....at least compared to several Canadian Gulf Islands. It looks like 60 kms. circuit around the island.

We are planning our trip in such a way, that lst day leave home 4:30 am to cycle to ferry dock. (That might include 1 segment with bikes on bus for a short piece), then drop stuff off at hotel on Vancouver island before ferrying to Saltspring Island for cycling day. Day probably will be 80-90 kms.

2nd day cycle, short ferry to cowichan valley on Vancouver Island for winery, lovely luncheon, come back and catch ferry to Friday Harbour, USA. That day will probably be 65 kms. I'm not clear.

about the Orcas, if you're lucky you'll see them. I've been on a whale watching cruise and we never found them.

The San Juans flat? It would depend on your perspective of flat. Our spring trip to Lopez Island was anything but flat in my book. And we had been told that Lopez was the flatter of the islands. I did manage to make it up all but two short steep hills with my fully loaded BOB trailer. I was VERY pleased with myself cause I'm rather a hill weenie. But then again what is a hill to me maybe a slight incline to you. It was a good trip and a fun place to ride. Just be warned it won't be flat.

I'm sure you'll have a great time. Hope you do get to see some whales. bikerHen

www.parks.wa.gov/par...=lime%20kiln%20point

Here you go...I attached the link for this park on San Juan Island above. And yes, it's a great spot for spotting orcas from the bluffs.

I did this ride from the ferry landing in Friday Harbor a couple of years ago; if I remember correctly it's about a 20 mile round-trip. Also, be aware that, since there's usually lots more traffic on summer weekends than on weekdays, so you should enjoy a lovely, quiet ride on a Monday morning. Even so, I'd always err on making yourselves/your bikes as visible as possible, as many drivers who aren't cyclists have a very hard time spotting cyclists on the road, even when there is a bright sun out there; you can always chance disappearing in the shadows and/or glare, y'know?

Tailwinds!

Mary