May is both Preservation Month AND Bike Month, so we’re celebrating with a biking tour of historic sites. Join us to learn about local landmarks, historic districts, adaptive reuse, and more!
The ride begins at the north side of the Hiram Chittenden Locks in Ballard (exact location provided to registrants). Upon arrival, you’ll receive a safety briefing from Heather McAuliffe, one of our volunteer guides. Heather is employed by Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods, where she coordinates the Ballard Avenue Landmark District Board. Following the briefing, we’ll pedal through the Ballard Avenue Landmark District and learn about its history.
Heather will then lead us to Fremont to the historic Fremont Trolley Barn, a Seattle landmark. At this location, we’ll enjoy a short presentation about the area’s streetcar history and look at streetcar artifacts. From there, we’ll proceed along the Burke Gilman trail, making stops at Gas Works Park and UW’s Parrington Hall for insights into these historic sites through short presentations by Heather McAuliffe and Historic Seattle’s Education & Advocacy Manager, Jeff Murdock. We’ll wrap up with David Strauss from SHKS Architects giving us an inside look at the renovation underway at the ASUW Shell House (of biography Boys in the Boat fame), before cruising back along the Burke Gilman trail to Ballard. The ride will end at Peddler Brewing in Ballard at 1 PM, where you’ll have the option to stay for a social hour to raise a pint (or water bottle) to preservation and biking with your fellow adventurers!
This ride is BYOB, meaning Bring Your Own Bike. All participants must also bring and wear their own helmets. Lime and Uber bikes can be used, but you’ll need to make those arrangements yourself (don’t forget a helmet). All participants must pre-register, sign a waiver on site, and wear a helmet. Please bring your own water and a portable snack, if desired. A 10-minute designated snack break is scheduled midway through the ride. Total trip length is approximately 11.5 miles, running about 3 hours. Please join us only if you are comfortable riding this distance, rain or shine. Unless Historic Seattle must cancel this event, no refunds will be provided.
Cost: $15 Members / $25 General Public
This event has passed.
Photo: Riders in Ballard on a tour as part of the national Main Street conference in March 2019.