Drivers across Whatcom and Skagit counties should expect slower conditions on a handful of roads this weekend as hundreds of cyclists make their way north on the annual Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party, better known as RSVP. The two-day event, organized by Cascade Bicycle Club, kicks off Saturday morning in Seattle and threads through the region before crossing into Canada on Sunday.
Where Cyclists Will Be and When
The ride launches from Seattle at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, August 22. Riders will move through Skagit County roads during the late morning, with several key corridors likely to see elevated bicycle traffic. Affected roads in the Skagit area include Highways 9 and 11, East College Way, and Avon Allen Road.
The halfway checkpoint for the event is the Bellingham Waterfront, a logical gathering point given the city's position along the route and its established cycling infrastructure. Riders are expected to regroup there and resume heading north around 7 a.m. Sunday, August 23.
On Sunday, the route through Whatcom County moves along Northwest Drive and Wiser Lake Road before picking up Hannegan Road toward Lynden. From there, riders follow Front Street through town and then take Double Ditch Road toward the Canadian border crossing. That puts significant bicycle traffic through the Lynden corridor and along rural Whatcom County roads during the Sunday morning hours.
What Drivers Should Know
Whatcom County Public Works issued a reminder this week asking motorists to stay alert and drive with caution throughout the weekend. Cyclists on roads like Hannegan, Wiser Lake, and Double Ditch can be easy to miss at speed, particularly on roads without dedicated bike lanes or wide shoulders.
The ask is simple: slow down when you see riders, give them adequate space, and avoid passing where sight lines are limited. State law in Washington requires drivers to give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing, and on rural roads the recommendation is to treat overtaking a group of cyclists the way you would treat passing a slow-moving farm vehicle.
The Washington State Department of Transportation and WSDOT track bicycle event traffic statewide and generally advise building extra time into Sunday morning travel in affected corridors during major rides.
About the RSVP
The RSVP is one of the Pacific Northwest's longest-running organized cycling events. Hosted by Cascade Bicycle Club, the Seattle-based advocacy and events organization, the ride draws hundreds of participants each year who complete the roughly 180-mile journey from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C. over two days. The event is not a race but a supported tour, meaning riders of varying fitness levels participate and the pace on the roads can range from leisurely to brisk depending on who you encounter.
Whatcom County has been part of the RSVP route for years, and local communities along the way have generally welcomed the event as a low-impact weekend visitor draw. Lynden's Front Street and the farm-country roads of central Whatcom County offer some of the most scenic miles of the entire route, passing through flat agricultural land with views of the Cascade foothills to the east.
For residents who are curious about cycling events in the area year-round, Whatcom County has seen growing investment in bicycle infrastructure including the Interurban Trail and connectors linking Bellingham to neighboring communities. Information on local cycling routes and conditions is available through the city at cob.org.
Planning Around the Weekend
If your Saturday or Sunday plans involve driving on Hannegan Road, Northwest Drive, Wiser Lake Road, Double Ditch Road, or through downtown Lynden on Front Street, give yourself a few extra minutes and watch the shoulders. The bulk of the bicycle traffic through Whatcom County is expected during the Sunday morning window, so early risers heading out before 7 a.m. may beat the main pack, while mid-morning drivers are most likely to encounter groups of riders.
The Bellingham Waterfront checkpoint Saturday evening and overnight gives riders a chance to rest before the Sunday push, so the waterfront area may also see elevated foot and bike traffic Saturday afternoon and evening as participants arrive and regroup. For more details on the RSVP event and its full route, the Bellingham Farmers Market story offers a sense of how the city's waterfront district draws visitors all season long.
