Explore Sequim farms with annual Tour De Lavender

By Michael Dashiell • July 31, 2019 1:30 am
Tour de Lavender first-timers Connie Kinyon and Steve Torgeson of Sequim make their way down Old Olympic Highway during the 2018 Tour de Lavender event. The 2019 event is set for Aug. 3. Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell
Tour de Lavender first-timers Connie Kinyon and Steve Torgeson of Sequim make their way down Old Olympic Highway during the 2018 Tour de Lavender event. The 2019 event is set for Aug. 3. Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell

Tour De Lavender

What: Group bike rides (Metric Century or Fun Ride options) to area lavender farms

When: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4 (check-in, packet pick-up at 7:30 a.m.)

Where: Check-in, start/finish at Sequim High School, 601 N. Sequim Ave.

Cost: $60 adults, $15 youths (12 and younger)

On the web: tourdelavender.com

More info: 971-704-1156 or info@tourdelavender.com

For those who haven’t had their fill of Sequim’s purple plants — or are looking for a way to spice up their bike rides — the annual Tour de Lavender is back.

The event that brings both local and out-of-town cyclists to up to 10 lavender farms, primarily utilizing the Olympic Discovery Trail (ODT), is set for Saturday Aug. 4.

The Tour offers two rides: the Metric Century, for those seeking a longer journey through the valley, and the more family-friendly Fun Ride.

This Metric Century takes cyclists on a 62.5-mile loop route that visits 10 lavender farms, traveling the back roads of the Sequim-Dungeness Valley and nearly 30 miles along the scenic, traffic-free ODT. Designed for cyclists seeking a challenge or who want to push themselves to a personal best record in terms of distance or time (or both), this route is mostly over level or gently rolling terrain but also incorporates two more challenging hill climbs. Elevation gained on the route is more than 2,000 feet.

The Fun Ride is designed for riders of all ages and abilities and features a mostly level, easy course running along back roads in the valley and parts of the ODT. The entire loop is about 34 miles and encompasses nine lavender farms, but cyclists can opt for shorter out-and-back treks to selected farms.

Both rides feature several rest stops and snacks along the way.

Following the ride is an after-party featuring live music from The Works, a traditional Pacific Northwest dinner, raffle and spirits; tickets are $25.

Cost for either ride is $60 for adults and $15 for riders 12 years old and younger.

Featured farms include: B&B Family Farm, Jardin Du Soliel Lavender, Kitty B’s Lavender Farm, Lavender Connection, Lost Mountain Lavender, Martha Lane Lavender, Olympic Lavender Company, Purple Haze Organic Lavender Farm, Victor’s Lavender and Washington Lavender Farm.

The Tour de Lavender is an annual cycling event sponsored by the Olympic Peninsula Bicycle Alliance in partnership with lavender farms in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley.

Organizers seek to “promote awareness and appreciation of the unique beauty of the Olympic Peninsula and the world-class lavender farms in ‘America’s Provence’,” they note on the event website.

Over the past six years, the event has raised and donated more than $38,000 to local nonprofits such as the Peninsula Trails Coalition to build and maintain the Olympic Discovery Trail, Boys & Girls Clubs serving the region’s youth and others, as well as association’s own community-focused bicycle education, training and safety programs.

Call 971-704-1156 or email to info@tourdelavender.com for more information.

Ride the Hurricane

For those not too winded from the lavender ride, or those seeking more elevation gain, the Ride the Hurricane event is set for Sunday, Aug. 4.

Starting at 7 a.m., the event sees riders taking a round-trip ride from Port Angeles to the top of Olympic National Park’s Hurricane Ridge.

Riders start and finish at the parking lot at Peninsula College, 1400 E. Park Ave.

In addition to the traditional climb, event organizers are also offering an optional Century Route that continues beyond the traditional 40-mile round Hurricane Ridge trip. The expanded route results in a full 100-mile ride, combining a mile-high alpine ascent with a route that uses the Olympic Discovery Trail to go more than a mile out to sea on Ediz Hook.

To provide a safe experience for the event, the road will be closed to all motor vehicle traffic between the Heart O’ the Hills entrance station and Hurricane Ridge, starting at 6 a.m. and ending at noon (this applies to both uphill and downhill travel).

Cost: $50; register at www.portangeles.org/pages/ RideTheHurricane.

Cyclists can also pre-register, drop off waivers and pick up information materials, wrist bands and ordered jerseys for “Day of Ride Registration” on Friday, Aug. 2, and Saturday, Aug. 3, between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Port Angeles Visitor Center, 121 E. Railroad Ave., Port Angeles.

For more about Ride the Hurricane, see www.port angeles.org/pages/RideThe Hurricane or email to director@portangeles.org.