As you make your summer plans, if you’re a cyclist you might want to just walk on to the ferry and head for Vashon’s “Park to Park” cycling tour. This press release just in –

EQUAL PARTS PEDAL AND METTLE: STOV ANNOUNCES 2011 VASHON CYCLING EVENT, “PARK TO PARK” 

Sustainable Tourism on Vashon’s “Exercising Our Better Selves” takes shape in a lively two-course cycling tour that winds from park to park on July 31 

VASHON, WASH.- April 26, 2011-On Vashon Island, summer brings the promise of fresh air, quaint farm stands and long, winding country roads perfect for bicycling. Long-utilized as a favorite meeting place of regional cycling clubs, Sustainable Tourism on Vashon invites cyclists of all abilities and ages to Vashon for its July 31, 2011 event, Park to Park. This cycling event offers two suggested rides (a choice of 33.7 miles if meeting near the North End ferry dock, or 24.3 miles, meeting at Paradise Ridge Park). Cycling clubs, families and individual cyclists are welcome on these self-paced courses. 

The event begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. with routes that course through both Vashon and Maury Islands. Cruise through stunning rural scenery and spectacular water views while enjoying the island’s incredible parks. A light lunch is offered to participants at the finish at Paradise Ridge Park. 

Choose your course registration and start location:
1.      North End by ferry dock  (Vashon – Fauntleroy ferry run)
33.7 miles (does not include bike route back to ferry-8.6 miles)

2.      Paradise Ridge Park
24.3 miles  (center of Vashon Island)

Register before July 27 and pay advance admission: $20 adults, $12 for children ages 12 and under. Beginning July 27, late registration is $25 and $15, respectively.  Register online by credit card at www.parktopark.org, or on island with retailers by cash or check at Essentials 4 (17504 Vashon Hwy. SW);  The Little House (17636 100th Avenue SW); or The Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie (19529 Vashon Hwy SW). The tour packet for bicyclists will be available at the registration sites. For ferry information, click here <http://www.wsdot.com/ferries/Schedule/Default.aspx> . Note: King County Metro bus service does not run on the day of the event.

Park to Park is presented by Sustainable Tourism on Vashon (STOV), a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to preserving the beauty and rural nature of our islands, and only promoting culturally and ecologically responsible tourism.

Sponsors of this year’s event include Puget Sound Energy, Sawbones Worldwide, Essentials 4, Institute for Environmental Research and Education, Minglement, The Little House, and The Vashon Island Coffee Roasterie. Find out more about STOV by visiting www.stov.us

For more information contact
Kathleen Fitch
Sustainable Tourism on Vashon (STOV)
stov@centurytel.net  206.463.7706