Enjoy barns, burgers, brews on the McClinchy Mile Bike Ride

ARLINGTON — Several hundred bicyclists are expected to tour north Snohomish County this weekend.

The 35th annual McClinchy Mile Bike Ride is set for Sunday, with routes starting in Arlington and winding toward Stanwood, Granite Falls and up into Skagit County. This is the ride’s 10th year being based in Arlington. It starts at 7:30 a.m. in Haller Park.

The theme this year is Barns, Burgers and Brews. New additions include a 44-mile route to Lake McMurray in Skagit County. There also will be a celebration, with burgers and beer, in Arlington after the ride.

Popular routes are returning this year. There’s a 28-mile loop to and from Granite Falls and a 33-mile ride to Stanwood and back. A century ride, totaling more than 100 miles, can be done by combining the loops. The cost for the main ride is $45. There’s also a free family ride on the Centennial Trail.

The McClinchy Mile started in October 1982 in Monroe. It is named for Stuart McClinchy, a founder of the B.I.K.E.S. club who died before the first ride was held. That year, there were 43 cyclists who paid $5 each.

Patty Garrett, of Arlington, joined the club in 1985. She did the ride her first year, and has volunteered since. She’ll be handing out snacks at Haller Park on Sunday. There also are food stops in Granite Falls and Stanwood.

Snohomish County is one of the best cycling destinations in the country, Garrett said. She hopes riders gain an appreciation for the beauty.

She cautions participants to come prepared with helmets and warm clothes.

“Never leave home without your rain gear,” Garrett said. “In past years, there have been people who have shown up in T-shirts and they were sure sorry when the downpour started.”

For most of its years, the event has been scheduled around St. Patrick’s Day in March, but it was postponed this year so the club could support the Ride to Remember Oso.

An added benefit, organizers say, is that the weather likely will be nicer this weekend than it would have been last month.

The routes offer views of historic barns seated on stretches of farmland. On a clear day, the mountains can be breathtaking.

Volunteers work hard to make the ride a good experience, Garrett said.

“Most people come back year after year,” she said. “It’s good to see them.”

Proceeds from the ride go toward bicycling advocacy and grants provided by B.I.K.E.S Club of Snohomish County.

For more information, go to bikesclub.org/mcclinchy.

Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Cassie Franklin, Mayor of Everett, delivers the annual state of the city address Thursday morning in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, Washington on March 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
At Everett mayor’s keynote speech: $35 entry, Boeing sponsorship

The city won’t make any money from the event, city spokesperson Simone Tarver said. Still, it’s part of a trend making open government advocates wary.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.