Whidbey Weekend
Serene Views and Miles of Back Roads
 If you're looking for a break from the fast pace grab your
deer radar and head for Whidbey Island.
Whidbey offers motorcyclists a few hundred miles of back
roads that can be explored leisurely over a two day period. The island has
plenty of accommodations, wild life, activities and events to make it a perfect
spot for a weekend getaway.
You can reach Whidbey by ferrying in from Port Townsend or
Mukilteo, or you can come via what is called the 'long way' by taking highway 20
in from I-5 at Burlington, 60 miles north of Seattle.
Getting off the main highways of Whidbey (SR 20 and 525)
offers riders some great touring. Ultimately the island can be explored
over two days, one day covering the south and the other touring the north.
Rather than suggest a route we recommend you pick up a map of the island and
chart your own course. Attaching it to your tank helps a lot.
As you ride you'll see plenty of spectacular views that
will include Puget Sound as well as wildlife and turn of the century
architecture. There are numerous waterfront parks on every side of the
island so consider packing a lunch each day and picnicking along the way.
Another obvious trait of riding the island's back roads is the overabundance of
waterfront property and homes for sale. Your bike offers an excellent way
to quickly view a potential second home location without the hassle of getting
in and out of your car each time.
Whidbey has better weather than other areas of Puget Sound as it falls into the Olympic rain shadow that runs along the north side of
the range. Fair weather riders will find Whidbey to be accommodating more
often in the spring and fall than other areas of the Northwest.
Nearly every weekend there's an event worth making the
trip. From the Mussel Festival in early March to the street
festivals and boat races during spring and summer, until the Harvest Festival in
late fall, Whidbey provides a variety of great excuses for spending time on the
island.
Accommodations are plentiful, but can be known to fill up
fast during the summer months, so do make reservations beforehand when
possible. You can stay inexpensively at a motel in Oak Harbor, or take a
step up and stay at a quality inn such as The Captain Whidbey Inn near
Coupeville.
Finding food is easy as there are restaurants in each of
the five rural cities on the island.
Deer are plentiful on the island and have no fear of
crossing the road. "I saw Miss Doe, she saw me, but it was too
late" comments Tom Rice, a resident who had the misfortune of hitting a
deer on his Honda in1998. Stick with the speed limits, keep your eyes
extra peeled and you'll decrease your chances of a run in. And don't think
that just because it's not deer feeding time they won't be out. 24 hours a
day is the rule when it comes to being alert here.
Other activities that can be enjoyed during your stay
include fishing, kayaking, sailing and bicycling.
Patrick Thomas/Spring 00
Suggested Accommodations
- The Captain Whidbey Inn, Coupeville 800/366-4097
- The Garden Path Inn, Langley 360/221-5121
- Spinks Ocean View, Clinton 360/579-2494
Restaurants
- Captain Whidbey Inn, Coupeville 800/366-4097
- El Corral Mexican Restaurant, Langley
360/321-7799
- Pot Belly Deli, Oak Harbor 360/675-5204
Service/Repair
Allphazes Extreme, Oak Harbor 360/679-4068
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