CAMANO ISLAND — Drivers should be on the lookout Saturday morning for hundreds of bicyclists expected to participate in an annual ride around the island.
More than 350 riders are expected to show up for the Camano Climb Bicycle Ride, the largest fundraiser for the Stanwood-Camano Kiwanis Club since 1997. Riders from Bellingham to Seattle are planning to take part, said event organizer Mark Everett, owner of Stanwood Velo Sport.
The 44-mile ride is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. at the Camano Center at 141 N. East Camano Drive. The route is planned to include several scenic roads, mostly near the perimeter of the island. Riders will likely be scattered along the route.
Some riders plan on looping the island twice, Everett said.
“It’s not for the novice, beginner rider,” he said. “There definitely should be some training rides done to prepare for this ride. It has significant hills, ups and downs.”
Drivers should be careful if they see bicyclists on the road, Washington State Patrol Sgt. Scott McCoy said.
“It’s the time of year where we see more bicyclists on the road, and while they need to obey the rules of the roadway, it’s prudent for drivers to be aware of the bicyclists as well,” McCoy said.
Everett said he’s not too concerned about traffic, because not many people drive on Camano Island early on weekend mornings.
Still, with hills and curves on the course, people must drive and ride cautiously, Everett said. Signs will be posted along the route to alert people who don’t already know about the ride, and some announcements have already been made in the media.
“We’ve made it so it’s a fairly well-known ride and event,” Everett said.
Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.
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