ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT: Your chance for a bicycle ride before it’s gone

Since the Alaskan Way Viaduct might close forever before this year is out, this might be one of your last chances for an up-close-and-personal look: Cascade Bicycle Club is including The Viaduct on its Emerald City Ride route this spring, and even if you’re not up for the full route, you can sign up for the 3-Mile SR 99 Viaduct Experience, “designed for families with children and beginning riders.” It’s not a race, so, the club explains, “You’ll be able to stop, look around, take a photo, and enjoy the view.” This is happening the morning of April 8th on the northbound Viaduct (so even if you’re not interested in the ride, note that it’ll be closed to motorized vehicles for a few hours). Registration just opened today, and you can find out more here.

Tsurly January 30, 2018 (11:55 am)

Yes!

newnative January 30, 2018 (12:18 pm)

awesome!

onion January 30, 2018 (2:31 pm)

I wonder if you can only take your bike on 99 if you register for the ride? Not to be cheap or anything, but $40 is a bit steep for a 12-mile ride, let alone $25 for a three-mile ride, even if there is a “souvenir” and rest stop. It’s been a while since I did an organized ride.

WSB January 30, 2018 (2:57 pm)

If you read the page with the registration button, the Viaduct ride is cheaper and that will show when you click through to the next page. Don’t know why they couldn’t put it on the first page.
Trickycoolj January 30, 2018 (6:16 pm)

That’s relatively cheap compared to their other rides. I think the STP is well over $100 now.
- mark47n January 31, 2018 (4:22 am)
  
  Bear in mind that Cascade rides like this are fully supported and have administrative costs.
  
  As to the STP costs, this ride has sag vehicles, permits to arrange to move 10,000 through the city, food stops approximately every 30 miles or so, a large event at Centralia Community college, a permit for taking up all of the park at the end of the ride, effectively taking over the bridge over the Columbia in Longview to say nothing of the administrative costs of putting this together. These rides also fund the club which provides lobbying and cycling advocacy.
  
  I think I’ll continue to pay the fees for the rides as Cascade does a great job!
  - Poultine January 31, 2018 (8:27 am)
    
    Don’t forget the numerous uniformed officers helping people cross busy intersections along the way, and luggage transport. Cascade does a good job of putting these rides together so that it’s smooth sailing… so long as your legs hold up.

Swede. January 30, 2018 (2:32 pm)

Good reason to get a new bike!

Fiona Preedy January 30, 2018 (5:34 pm)

I just signed up all the Preedys, seems fitting as a farewell to a family journey. You posted the picture from the first time we walked on the Viaduct, maybe there’ll be some from the last time. Thanks so much for sharing this and following all the phases for all those in WS.

February 2011

October 2011

Dreading2019 January 30, 2018 (8:59 pm)

Happy to bike on Viaduct before it comes down! A happy memory before this doomsday:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Viaduct/demolition

Rick January 31, 2018 (6:50 am)

Just consider how much your new “ride” (aka tunnel) has and will continue to cost you.

KM January 31, 2018 (7:30 am)

Though not a fan of the tunnel project at all, as a driver I haven’t been paying the fair share of what impact my vehicle has on our roads, traffic and environment since I started driving. Hard to get upset about the cost of infrastructure, and tolls, no matter how much I disliked this project. High time all drivers started to pay more, regardless.