Life in Coupeville

Don’t forget, you can stop by Krueger Commons and pick up the new Island County Road Biking Maps. These are terrific if you’re into road riding, or if you’d like to do a family ride on the weekend. It shows elevation gains, hill directions, restrooms, scenic vistas (the whole island–LOL) and more. I’ll grab some of the Kettles & Fort Ebey maps too for the hikers & mountain bikers.

Today, the ground is soggy and I guess it’s supposed to rain. But, the weekend looks nice on the island. I’ve mentioned the terrific road biking around Krueger Commons. You can go solo or find a ‘groupo’ to enjoy the miles of traffic-free roads.

Another terrific thing about Coupeville, is the proximity to the mountain biking at nearby Fort Ebey State Park. You can hop on a trail outside the condos, head on the paved Kettles Trail that leads from Main Street all the way to the park. Then, enter a world of fun and adventure! From twisty single-track with tree roots and stunts, to wider trails with smaller climbs (I call them post-partum, since they were the ones I chose after having kids), you’ll find the traction is superb year-round at Ft. Ebey. On rainy days, you can stick to the single-track and stay dry from the overhanging trees (though the salal may get you wet on your legs).

I’ve ridden near Anacortes, at Deception Pass, at Green Mountain in Silverdale, Winthrop and more. Some areas are dust-bowls in the summer and slogfests in the winter–tearing up your components and creating a laundry issue to boot. Plus, those all have really long climbs. Some people like climbing for an hour straight–but I’d rather have variety. If I need a challenge–that’s what the middle chain ring is for!

Ft. Ebey is awesome because 1) the climbs are varied–from chutes & ladders type short climbs to longer, but manageable stints up Windsucker or Ladder. Practice on the small climbs and soon, you’ll be able to grind up Ladder; 2) great traction–on rainy days, stay near the Kettles side–near Campground you have more tree roots which can be a pain or a challenge on wet days depending upon your desire for self-abuse; 3) acres and acres of fun for hiking, biking or horsebackriding. And yet–you often don’t see anybody else on the trails!; 4) awesome scenery–the views of the Olympics and Puget Sound on the Bluff trail, descending through the primeval forest of Shepherd’s crook, the craggy madrone trees at the top of Ladder.

Even on a misty day like today, don’t be afraid to go outside and enjoy the trails around Coupeville.