Event schedule, route, support, and more!
Hi friend,
The day is nearly here! We can’t wait to see your smiling faces at the start line in White Center on Sunday morning. Below we’ve got a lot of details for you. Read on so that there are few surprises on the day of the ride. You’ll want to know about construction and short detours for your route.
Weather
If there’s one thing to know about biking in the Pacific Northwest, it’s that there’s rain. It might not be the heaviest rain, but by Jove, it’s still wet. The forecast currently predicts a 50% chance of rain for Seattle and Tacoma on Sunday. The thing about forecasts is, they are predictions. Let it guide you in selecting your clothing and accessories, but don’t let it stop you from showing up. After all, as sweet as you are, you’re not made of sugar!
Dress to stay warm while waiting at ferry terminals and while on ferries. Winds may pick up near the water.
Rain will mean that you should use caution on downhills and use bike lights. Painted “Dan Henry” navigational arrows may be slightly faded, but they were applied during dry weather by our trusty volunteers this week.
Parking
Limited parking is available at these locations:
Please do not park in the following locations:
❌ White Center Bicycle Playground, directly at the start line. Leave this space for people enjoying the park throughout the day.
Start Line
Located at the parking lot for the White Center Bicycle Playground. Look for the entrance along 10th Ave SW, just north of SW 112th St. Your favorite GPS app might mislead you with an on-foot route through the eastern side of the park. Our tent will be in the parking lot on the western side.
If you never received your rider bib, the dog ate it, your hamster used it to create a nest, or you left it on the kitchen counter, please stop by the big green Cascade tent and we’ll get you your bib.
Your bib is your ticket to all services! Display it on your handle bars. It’s your access to the ferries, to SAG services, Outrider and medical rider support, snacks at the rest stops, your souvenir, and your meal at the finish line.
Maps, cuesheets, First Aid, pins and twist ties, and water are available at the start line.
Montlake Bicycle Shop will be at the start line to help tweak minor issues before you depart.
7 a.m. start line services begin. Please be patient while we set up and orient our volunteers.
7 - 8 a.m. Long route riders depart. Pick up your packet at the start line and find your riding buddies!
8:30 - 9 a.m. Short route riders depart. Pick up your packet at the start line and find your riding buddies!
Raffle
You can also enter a raffle for a Major Taylor poster from our friends at the Major Taylor Association at the start line. We’ll draw a name during the ride and post the winner’s name at our finish line tents. Please pick up your prize by the end of the day.
Download Maps
Did you know, you don’t need a paid Ride With GPS account to access maps with turn-by-turn navigation for our events? Just take the following steps:
Create a free account on ridewithgps.com
Open the 2023 Ride for Major Taylor event
Scroll down and hit the orange RSVP button, et voila!
You can download the map the day before the event. Occasionally there are unforeseeable issues, like emergency road closures, that may cause us to alter the route.
Printed maps will be available at the start line.
Support on Route
Course support starts at 7 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m.
SAG (support and gear) vehicles will be roaming the route. They can transport you and your bike to a mechanic or a rest stop in the event of a mechanical or minor medical issue.
Cascade Outriders will be on bikes in their white, green, and black Cascade Outrider jerseys. They’re there to help with minor mechanical issues, non-life threatening medical issues, and as moral support.
Wave or say thank you when you see these awesome volunteers out on the route and learn more about how to get involved with them!
For ride support and urgent concerns during course hours, call:
(206) 841-9665
Always call 911 first in a life-threatening emergency.
Got that number saved in your phone? Great!
63-Mile Route
Rest Stops
Palisades Park - Mile 20.6
5039 SW Dash Point Rd, Federal Way
Open 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Snacks, water, porta-potties, and mechanic 🍌🥤🚽🔧
Point Defiance - Mile 41.3
In front of ferry terminal
Open 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Snacks, water, porta-potties, and mechanic 🍌🥤🚽🔧
Route Notes
Keep straight at mile 3.2. The 26-mile and 63-mile courses will both leave from the start line and travel together for the first three miles. At SW 156th St/Ambaum, short course riders will turn left, while long course riders will continue south (aka straight ahead).
Bring lights. Many roads through Normandy Park, Des Moines, and Vashon are wooded and curvy. Bike lights are suggested so you are more visible.
Mile 29.2. There is a railway that crosses the road at an angle. Watch out for trains.
Mile 38.8. You’ll only spend a few seconds on the trail before turning onto N Waterfront Dr. to reach the ferry. If you miss the turn, you’ll soon find yourself crossing the Wilson Way Pedestrian Bridge, which is elevated above the ferry lanes. You can correct this by exiting at N. Pearl St. or by taking the stairs.
🚨Vashon Hwy🚨 Immediately after you leave the Tahlequah ferry, follow signs for a one-mile detour around construction on part of Vashon Hwy. Follow 131st Ave SW to rejoin Vashon Hwy. Get ready to CLIMB!
Gravel on Vashon. Take care of gravel driveways that may spill onto the road. Scan ahead and communicate with hand signals and voice to other riders.
Departing Fauntleroy. You’ll have a big hill to climb right out of the gate. Keep your legs limber during the cruise.
WSDOT Ferries
Riders on the 63-mile route should schedule their start times so that they can reach one of these five ferries at their pace. To board the ferry:
Check in with a Cascade volunteer at the Point Defiance rest stop. They’ll note your bib number.
The Cascade volunteer will be arranging the payment for your ferry ride. Your fare was included in your registration fee.
Point Defiance to Tahlequah
See WSDOT posted schedules.
9:15 a.m.
10:05 a.m.
10:55 a.m.
11:45 a.m.
12:35 p.m. (Absolute last call!)
There’s no fee to use the ferry from Vashon to Fauntleroy. See the WSDOT schedule for Sunday and plan to take a ferry that will give you plenty of time to reach the finish line before 3 p.m.
26-Mile Route
Rest Stops
Midpoint rest stop: Alki Park at mile 17.4
1222 Harbor Ave SW, Seattle
Hours: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m
Services available: Volunteer mechanic, food stop, water, Gatorade. Public restrooms are located nearby. 🍌🥤🚽🔧
Food stops will have fruit, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on gluten free (and regular) bread, snack bars, nuts, chips, water, and electrolytes.
Route Notes:
Mile 3.2 Turn Left - The 26-mile and 63-mile courses will both leave from the start line and travel together for the first three miles. At SW 156th St/Ambaum Blvd SW, short course riders will turn left, while long course riders will continue south.
Mile 9.0 - There is a narrow crossing over SR-99, and the Duwamish River Trail may be bumpy where it runs parallel to the freeway.
Mile 12.1 - There is a railway crossing. Take caution to cross at a 90 degree angle and to watch for freight traffic.
Mile 12.8 🚨CONSTRUCTION🚨 In an advocacy win for the Seattle Bike Network, this weekend's ride will take you along the soon-to-be-protected bike lane on West Marginal Way. SDOT crews are building the new protected bike lane along West Marginal Way this Sunday. Please slow down and follow any directions crews may give you.
Mile 22.3 - There’s an extended climb just after you pass the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal. Be prepared to shift to a low gear and spin it to win it! The climb is just under a mile and there are sidewalks parallel to the road if you need to dismount and walk.
Finish Line
Open 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Your ride ends at the White Center Bicycle Playground. Look for the big green arch, hang up your bike, and enjoy the festivities.
Your rider bib has your tickets for your meal and souvenir.
Enjoy Ezell’s Famous Chicken and vegetarian pupusas, hummus, pita, potato salad, and other sides at the finish line. Pick up your socks! Your finisher souvenir MTP socks, that is. Stop by the green tent and present your bib ticket.
The Major Taylor Project will have a tent space set up for jersey sales.
We can’t wait to see you on the course. Take lots of photos, share them on social media, tag @CascadeBicycle on Instagram and Twitter, and use the #CascadeRides and #MajorTaylorProject hashtags.
Allison Pringle
Events Producer
REI Co-op is proud to support Cascade Bicycle Club. Since 1938, we have been your local outdoor co-op, working to help you experience the transformational power of nature. So whether you’re new to the outdoors or a seasoned pro, we hope you’ll join us.
