Tulip Ride April 24th

[sportsguy]

Came across via a Meetup group I apparently joined at some point...

Tulip Ride - April 24th

More info...

I just love doing rides where we have a police escort. It's the first time I've heard of this ride and since I can't make the Pelican Run (in 3 Shakespeare plays on Friday) this is a nice local alternative. Should be fun and highly picturesque. Get your cameras and those helmet cams ready! Any southenders, feel free to set up a local ride in point to meet up in Kirkland. For those in the northend, let's have a meeting spot near the casino so we can gather to ride in together in case we can't regroup at the staging area.

Arrive gassed up and ready to go. Kickstands up at 9:30am.

Almost a decade ago, a few Xbox employees decided to go for a spring motorcycle ride. After a fantastic day riding through Washington's Skagit Valley at the Tulip Festival,we decided to do a Tulip Ride every year.

We've grown from a small group to include hundreds of riders from all over Puget Sound. Riders of all skill levels join our pack on everything from sport bikes to cruisers to freeway-capable scooters. Everyone is welcome on the Tulip Ride!



2010 Tulip Ride

Date: Saturday, April 24th.

Route: Complete ride plan is here, along with a printable PDF version.

9:30 - 10:30 a.m.: Arrive at the Tulalip Casino (10200 Quil Ceda Blvd, Tulalip).

We park by the giant Orca fountains right in front.

10:45: Police escort to Marine View Drive courtesy of the Tulalip Tribal Police, then continue North to see the tulip fields blooming.

12:00 p.m: Arrive at Tulip Town in the Skagit Valley for flowers and lunch. They have acres of tulips, trolly rides through the fields, a café for lunch, espresso, and more. Discounted $4 entry fee covers parking.

2:00: Depart for a ride down Highway 20 over scenic Deception Pass, down Whidbey Island, taking the Mukilteo/Clinton ferry back to the mainland.

Tulip Town has graciously offered to reserve prime parking for all of our bikes! They have huge fields, an indoor artists center, and a café for lunch. Tulip Town normally charges $5 for admission, but in support of our charity event they're discounting Tulip Riders to only $4 including parking!

The Tulalip Resort is also supporting Tulip Ride 2010 with discounted rooms for anyone that wants to come a day early and enjoy the resort the night before our ride. Check back soon for details on reserving under the Tulip Ride discounted rate.

Anyone interested?

 

[meosborn]

Police escort to Marine View Drive

Anything that's big enough for a police escort is too big.

 

[escapefjrtist]

So whadda ya say Pops. Shall we try again? :blink: :lol:

--G

 

[dcarver]

Where oh Where is Tiny Tim when you need him?

 

[Panman]

Where oh Where is Tiny Tim when you need him?

I think escapefjrtist just asked him if he "wanted to try it again". :lol:

The last time "they tried it" within the first two blocks the group they were riding with had two tip over's, when they finally got to the second meet up spot they were glad to find me with a flat tire and gladly let the group ride on.

This was only the second time we had met, escapefjrtist had the stuff to help me plug the hole and afterwards we went and had a safe ride in the foot hills.

 

[MEM]

....escapefjrtist had the stuff to help me plug the hole and ...

See what have I been telling you guys?

The Master Plugger comes through every time

 

[FJRay]

When I lived in Friday Hbr. The very last place I wanted to be was in the Tulip fields with Half of the idiots in the NW. I would head north toward Bayview and up Chuckanut just to stay away from the valley.

 

[sportsguy]

Holy cow - talk about Tanishing the Tulips...

Man, you guys are downers, sharing all this experience and real-world learning stuff... it's enough to make me want to skip this and tawdle off on my own...LOL

I suspect my Frustrate-O-Meter could get pegged pretty quick in a sea of psuedo-bikers dropping their chrome-heavy sleds and needing 3 lawyers, 2 accountants and a dentist to help pick it up again... *whistles*

 

[Niehart]

Just saying wasn't my favorite ride... also was the first time I was glad to see someone have a flat tire B)

I do have to admit those Tulip fields are awesome.

Damn you Don, now I have that song going through my brain.

 

[Panman]

Just a side not to all this, I think a lot of the Tulip's are starting to fade early this year as spring and winter got confused this year with spring coming first.

I didn't see nearly as many as you do at times, as I noted to myself last Thursday when I rode that area.

I also think with the heavy rains and winds we have been having it won't be quit the show that it can be.

 

[sportsguy]

Fine, fine, I'll just stay home and not ride this weekend then...

 

[Panman]

What kinda of whine do you like anyhow????????? Crackers and chesse too?

Get off your Donkey and ride!

 

[sportsguy]

What kinda of whine do you like anyhow????????? Crackers and chesse too?Get off your Donkey and ride!

Just playin'...

Gotta ride this weekend. Gots a new rear Bill Mayers for my wife to test out, see if she likes the cushy, custom seat better than the stocker. Given it's a loaner, we'll need to take our time and make this ride count.

 

[Panman]

Sunday looks pretty good, have fun.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Both days look to be stellar! No Tulips for me though...

--G

 

[Stephen]

I just got back off a weeks vacation at Mt. Baker. Guess I better catch up.

The Tulip Ride is a lot of fun if you want it to be. I've ridden it the last 3 years although I only rode as far as the first tulip field stop. Usually after that one stop it becomes a free-for-all. The meetup in LaConnor is kind of goofy because not everybody knows what restaurant to go to or else the restaurant can't hold everybody. There's a slew of fields to see. Anything near Best Road is blooming. We just went through there today. Parking is nasty... the cops ticket you if you're parking on the road. Some places have pay parking.

The police escort is only for a few blocks... from the Tulalip Casino to Marine View Drive... sort of an honorary thing by the tribal police. No big deal. The herd then follows Marine View Drive, through Stanwood and into Conway for gas, cigarette & a pee. From there, it's off to the fields.

I like to tag along in the back. By the way, all kinds of bikes show up.

The fields are absolutely awesome!

EDIT!!!! I just read the new itinerary. Look to be a bit more organized this year. Definitely worth going if you've never been. They're eliminating LaConnor. Smart move. At this point, it looks like I'm going.