Second annual Land Trust bike ride draws 55 riders

August 11, 2017 3:30 pm
Ron Newberry photo — Steve Shapiro and his wife Debora Valis, of Langley, ride along Highway 20 near Crockett Lake during the final stretch of the Whidbey Camano Land Trust’s second annual Sea, Trees, & Pie Bike Ride Sunday, July 23. In the background is Keystone Hill Road, part of the ride’s 20-mile route.
Ron Newberry photo — Steve Shapiro and his wife Debora Valis, of Langley, ride along Highway 20 near Crockett Lake during the final stretch of the Whidbey Camano Land Trust’s second annual Sea, Trees, & Pie Bike Ride Sunday, July 23. In the background is Keystone Hill Road, part of the ride’s 20-mile route.

Cyclists of all levels recently got a chance to soak in the scenery while actively enjoying the outdoors during the Whidbey Camano Land Trust’s second annual Sea, Trees, & Pie Bike Ride.

To top it off, they got to savor the experience with a slice of pie from Whidbey Pies afterward.

The event was a fundraiser for the Land Trust to support its work to actively involve the community in protecting and restoring our treasured lands and waters.

The Land Trust’s board of directors organized the event, which drew 55 riders.

“This bike ride showcases several of our beautiful open spaces protected for all of us,” said Debora Valis, board president. “The best part of the ride is sharing Whidbey Island’s beauty and that feeling of surprise when you round a corner and see vistas of working farms or view hundreds of birds on Crockett Lake. The pie seems to be a crucial motivator — everyone is willing to work hard for a piece of pie.”

The non-competitive ride, held July 23, was designed to give riders an opportunity to see firsthand the scenic beauty of Central Whidbey and offered a look at some of the nature preserves and agricultural lands protected by the Land Trust.

Participants got a chance to ride five, 10 or 20-mile loops. A birding platform near Crockett Lake served as the start and finish area.

The Land Trust’s Crockett Lake Preserve is a prominent feature of all three routes. The 20-mile route passes by the Land Trust’s Admiralty Inlet Preserve among other protected lands.