PT, Center Rd, W Valley Rd loop

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Port Townsend, WA, US

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Drew Kerlee

Enjoy Tacoma and the Puget Sound

56 km

383 m

PT Larry Scott Trail, 4 Corners, Chimacum, Center Rd, W Valley Rd, Hwy 19, Woodland Dr, papermill, PT

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Excellent 35.0mi loop starting and ending in Port Townsend (PT).

**Why I chose this route**

For me, I really like road rides between 25-50mi. I will usually look for a way to stretch (or shorten) a route to hit this mileage/time commitment. There aren't many different ways to connect the truly pretty parts of the ride other than Hwy19. The pretty parts being: West Valley Rd, and Larry Scott/PNW Trail. Of course beauty is relative, so you may find other pieces that you really enjoy. I think this offers a lot of what Pacific North West and Port Townsend has to offer.

**Best time to ride**

Any time in the summer. Summers are amazing in Washington - don't tell anyone. Party line is that "it rains all the time. You'll hate it." If there was a bout of rain recently, avoid the Larry Scott/PNW Trail. It will be muddy.

Full details are below!

The ride begins from the @poi[PT Food Co-op](1092023) then heads straight to the [Larry Scott Trail](http://www.olympicdiscoverytrail.com/trail_maps/pt_townsend.html) (LST). If we've had hard rains in the past 48 hours, I suggest avoiding the Trail unless you've got full fenders and don't mind a copious amount of mud splatter. If you're riding with a group, you'll want those [fender extenders](http://www.bikehacks.com/bikehacks/2011/11/bike-fender-extension.html)! Even full fenders that work well for the rider, spit mud all over anyone behind you. The trail is hard packed dirt/gravel. Much of it is over old railroad land so is super flat. If it's bone-dry, you won't be able to tell if it's trail, or road.

The LST gets you out to @point[4 Corners](d,13176.32) where you meet right up with @point[Highway 19/Rhody Drive](d,15247.86). Take that south into Chimacum. This stretch of highway is two lanes of traffic, with good shoulder and pavement. Cars are generally mindful of cyclists in and around Jefferson County, so I've never given it a second though. That being said, I wouldn't take my kid on there for any longer than a quarter mile. Sometimes it's just unavoidable.

Next we've got our main food stop. Late breakfast or lunch at @poi[Farms Reach Cafe](1092015). Lovely outdoor seating, bike rack in easy view. Free filtered water inside. Excellent coffee, sandwiches, and baked goods inside. Next door there's a juice place that looks okay, but I've never tried it. Back track a few hundred feet to the four way stop, and hang a left/south on @point[Center Rd](d,19764.76).

The first half of Center Rd is decent chip-seal road, but the second half is buttery smooth pavement. Enjoy this stretch! It's a real treat through the back lands of Jefferson County and Port Townsend/Chimacum.

At the south end of this loop, you'll take a right on @point[Eaglemount Rd](d,28121.45), that will bring you to @point[W Valley Rd](d,28580.46). Another goregous strech of back country road.

================side note============

While I didn't take this @poi[Eaglemount](1092016) option on this ride, I have done all the parts of be before. You can optionally head west on Eaglemount. It gently curves north and meets up with Hwy 20. It's another two lane highway with a wide shoulder. Lovely pavement, but cars do drive a little fast on there. If you grow tired of Hwy 20, you can bail right at Anderson Lake Road to Hwy 19 to return to Port Townsend.
================side note============

Back to our normal ride here. Heading north on Hwy 19, turn right on @point[Woodland Dr](d,42971.12). It's an excellent place off the freeway to stop for a break and to regroup. Woodland Dr to Parkridge Dr is a neat little neighborhood that was subdivied around 2000. Right around 1995 or so, the entire area was clear-cut, and not replanted. 99% of the trees are short, and it's a real different feel from the rest of Jefferson County.

Finally turn right off Hwy 19 one last time to @point[Old Fort Townsend Rd](d,48748.85), and get ready for some awesome views of Port Townsend that you'll remember. This portion is generally downhill, but there are two stop signs you at least need to slow down for. There's a great @slice[downhill bomb](d,50037.56,51062.32) section with a sharp left at the bottom - so watch out for that. Then you'll cruise right by the Port Townsend Papermill. A monument to American industry and capitalism - and lovely views (and smells) if the weather behaves. Sometimes I've seen industrial suds blowing across the street there from the treatment ponds.

Once you wrap around there, and take a left at the rise, you'll make a right back on the LST. Continue a few hundred feet and you should have an excellent @point[photo op](d,2560.32) of the Mill.

Enjoy the gradual decent back into PT. Should have excellent views of the water, Indian and Marrowstone Island across the way, and sunny PT coming up ahead.

At the end of the ride, I've added a bunch of Points Of Interest you can dabble in for all ages and interests. Standard fare is the Pourhouse for a pint of beer, but there are many options close at hand.

Hope the weather behaves, and enjoy the ride!

-drew

PT, Center Rd, W Valley Rd loop

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