Bike camping on Lopez Island weekend adventure

Let’s do a bike camping (aka "bikepacking") weekend on Lopez Island! If you’re new to bikepacking, this is a great way to get your feet wet. It’s low mileage, not too strenuous, and you’re not too far from civilization. If you’re a seasoned bikepacker but tired of always going out with the boys, this will be a great opportunity to meet other like-minded ladies.

Plan: Friday morning we’ll meet at the Anacortes ferry terminal and leave our cars at the paid lot. Then, we’ll board the 9:35 AM ferry to Lopez Island on our bikes loaded with our camping gear.

We’ll bike over to Spencer Spit State Park and set up camp for the weekend. We’ll take the rest of the afternoon to explore the island a bit. Shark Reef Sanctuary is a great place to look for wildlife, and Lopez Village is a cute little town to check out.

Saturday, we can take the free interisland ferry to another island for a ride, or you can explore on your own.

On Sunday, we’ll take the 2:40 PM sailing back to Anacortes.

Cost: We’ll share in the cost for camping fees, and gas and parking (if carpooling). You’ll be responsible for your ferry ticket and food.

Trip preplanning: 2­ weeks before the trip, I’ll schedule a Zoom call or in-person meetup (whatever seems best) to sort out trip details and answer questions.

If you’re new to bikepacking, here are some basic questions and answers to see if this trip is suitable for you:

What skills do I need?
We’ll be biking all on paved roads, so no off-road skills are necessary. Ideally, you have some bikepacking or backpacking experience, though it’s not required. I think it’s just an easier transition if you’ve never carried all your camping gear before.

What gear do I need?

• Bike & bike-related gear (helmet, spare tube, etc.)
• Bike racks & bike bags/panniers (I do not recommend carrying a large backpack)
• All your typical backpacking items (shelter, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, stove, appropriate clothing for being outdoors all day/night, etc.)

What fitness level is required?
This is going to be super chill bike riding. We’re not going anywhere in a hurry. You should just be able to ride at least 20 (road) miles over the course of a day and be comfortable being in the saddle for that much time. Lopez Island is relatively flat with some hills here and there.

What should I expect on this trip?
Expect a low-key, relaxing weekend adventure. I’ve laid out a rough itinerary, but come with an openness to be flexible, apart from the ferry schedule.

Note: I’m not a bike mechanic, so please be sure your bike is in good working order well before this trip if you sign up.