South End Lighthouse Route

This ride starts from Meat Machine Cycles in downtown Friday Harbor and heads south. It loops around Pear Point with glimpses of Brown and Turn Islands before following the illustrious Cattle Point Road past some of the best views San Juan Island has to offer. En Route you’ll pass by Frazer Homestead Preserve, one of the oldest homesteads on the island before the views expand southward to the Olympic Mountain Range and views of Vancouver Island and Victoria.

Take a side trip down to South Beach for a picnic along the way or take in the islands crashing surf and excellent Pink Salmon Fishing grounds. You might even see Orca Whales migrating along the shores.

Keep heading south and make your way to the Lighthouse and Historical Radio Tower that describes how sea-going vessels used triangulation to pinpoint their exact location using Radio Technology.

Distance: Approximately 20 miles. 

Roche Harbor Out and Back

This two plus hour ride begins and ends at Meat Machine Cycles in downtown Friday Harbor and heads north-west out of town. Follow this route along Roche Harbor drive with wide open bikes lanes and sights of the island’s interior that features views of some of the oldest homesteads on the island. If you pay close enough attention, you might even see the 100+-year-old homestead for one of the original island families. Hint, there’s a flagpole that marks its location.

Continue along Roche Harbor drive past beautiful Sportsman Lake and Lakedale Resort before making your way to Roche Harbor Resort. Plan to have lunch at the northern-most tip of San Juan Island at either McMillan’s, Madrona Bar and Grille or Lime Kiln Cafe. There’s also a small, well-appointed grocery store located on the property.

Distance: Approximately 22 miles.

San Juan Island Bike Loop

An epic ride by any standard, this is the longest of the three featured routes we recommend. Indeed not a ride for the faint of heart. Plan to see whales, views of the Canadian Islands, Vancouver, Porpus and some of the best views the island has to offer. Also, plan to do a fair amount of climbing, this route features rolling hills and steep climbs.

This ride begins at Meat Machine Cycles in downtown Friday Harbor and makes its way south then west before heading north following the outer edge of San Juan Island. You’ll head past working farms before making your way to Lime Kiln Point State Park, one of the island’s best land-based whale watching locations in the San Juan Archipelago.

After turning north, you’ll make your way around the west-most edge of the island following one of the steepest climbs the island has to offer. Follow this road through old-growth cedar forests eventually making your way to San Juan County Park, the only park to extend cycling-only campsites. Stop in for views west towards Canada and the likely possibility of spotting orca whales or divers exploring the underwater world of wildlife.

Follow West-Valley Road around the west edge of the island until it meets Roche Harbor Drive, then turn left and head out to Roach Harbor Resort for a lunch stop, unmatched views of the outer San Islands of San Juan County or the infamous sculpture park. Here you’ll be able to grab a bite to eat, some ice cream, an espresso coffee drink or just take in the views.

Eventually, you’ll head south along Roche Harbor Drive with wide open bike lanes and views of the island’s interior that features views of some of the oldest homesteads on the island. If you pay close enough attention, you might even spot the 100+-year-old homestead for one of the original island families. Hint, there’s a flagpole that marks its location.

Continue along Roche Harbor drive past beautiful Sportsman Lake and Lakedale Resort before making your way back into the town of Friday Harbor. Plan to have dinner at any one of the great options the town has to offer. 

Distance: Approximately 35 miles