Check the bottom of this article for Viking Tour details
It is the first of what organizers hope to be an annual cycling event through North Kitsap.
“This ride is north Kitsap County’s claim-to-fame ride,” said Leo Fried, an organizer with the Viking Tour that is currently planning its first ride in May.
“It’s North Kitsap’s exclusively,” he said. The tour goes through North Kitsap “and it has something for all riders. It’s a chance to see how beautiful North Kitsap is, with all the back roads.”
Organizers expect anywhere from 600-900 riders to mount their two-wheeled steeds and descend upon Poulsbo for the inaugural ride on May 17, coinciding with the final day of Poulsbo’s Viking Fest.
Fried, along with a collection of locals, has created a horde to get the event rolling. Fried is an avid cycler himself. He rides with a local group, “Geezers of Fury.”
“We’re mostly from Bainbridge Island and Poulsbo,” he said, noting they get together each week to take 20-mile rides. “We are a loose knit group of bicycle riders that got together and made some jerseys.”
Some Geezers of Fury will be present at the Viking Ride. Organizers are spreading the word to get more.
Fried lent his cycling knowledge to the effort by crafting the routes. The Viking Tour offers three route options for amateur to more enthusiastic cyclists. All rides begin at Poulsbo’s Fishline on Viking Avenue.
The Odin route takes a 65-mile tour, starting at 8 a.m., with 5,000 feet of climbing through the area.
“There are riders that will want to go a longer distance and challenge themselves. So the hard, longer, 65-mile route has 5,000 feet overall climbing elevation,” Fried said. “That gives people that want to push themselves something to go for.”
The Odin includes a sprint competition with a $1,000 prize. Participants in the competition will be issued a computer chip that will be recorded once riders cross certain lines, and race for approximately nine miles in the middle of the route.
The 65-mile route will take cyclists all the way to Hansville and Port Gamble and back to Poulsbo. There will be rest stops along the way.
“When possible, we stay off of main roads. It’s mostly on back roads,” Fried said. “It’s a hilly area we live in, so we have our fair share of hills.”
The Thor route is another option. It’s 35 miles and has a fairly even elevation. It begins at 8 a.m.
“There’s a lot of people that want to do an organized ride, but don’t want to do 65 miles; 35 miles is a good, average ride for most riders,” Fried said. “It’s half the elevation of the other one, 2,500 feet over all climbing elevation.”
Finally, the Loki route is family-centered at five miles. It begins at 9 a.m.
“Everybody deserves to ride and bicycle riding is a great family activity,” Fried said. “I have friends with children just starting out riding. This is a great ride for them.”
Each route has different entry fees. Odin is $65. Thor is $50. The Loki family ride is $10, or $25 for a family of three or more.
The money raised will benefit the Poulsbo-North Kitsap Rotary, which provides funding for local projects — such as parks — and scholarships.
Registration for the ride is currently open. More information about the Viking Tour can be found at www.poulsbovikingtour.com, or by emailing info@poulsbovikingtour.com.
Viking Tour
What: The first Viking Tour cycling event, taking bicycle riders on three routes through North Kitsap.
When: May 17. Rides begin at 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.
Where: Routes begin and end at North Kitsap Fishline, 787 NW Liberty Lane, Poulsbo.
Info: www.poulsbovikingtour.com, info@poulsbovikingtour.com
Three Routes
Odin: $65. A 65-mile route up to Hansville and Port Gamble and more. With 5,000 feet of climbing elevation. Begins at 8 a.m. Includes a time trial with $1,000 purse for the winner.
Thor: $50. A 35-mile route with 2,500 feet of climbing elevation. Begins at 8 a.m.
Loki: $10, or $25 for a family of three or more. A family friendly, 5-mile bike ride. Begins at 9 a.m.
