Tour de Lopez Info & FAQ
Saturday, April 27th, 2024
This is a great eco-friendly, family event – come for the day or come for the weekend. It’s a non-competitive rural road tour with marked short and long routes (3.1, 5, 10, 18 and 31 miles), on public county roads through the scenic landscape of Lopez. Although the tour officially kicks off at 8:30 am close at 3:00pm, this is a self-led tour and you may start at your convenance.
Registration includes the Saturday ride, 4 refueling rest areas with yummy treats open between 8:30 am-2:30 pm, a wonderful plastic-free food truck lunch, live music and a beer garden highlighting our local brewery.
Be sure to register early as this is typically a sell-out event with limited registration. WSDOT Ferry system is providing 4 days of free parking for the event so make sure and take advantage of this gas-saving opportunity!
A big Thank You to San Juan County Parks, Recreation, & Fair Department for co-producing the 2024 Tour de Lopez!
The tour routes are marked with our unique recycled bicycle wheels – designated rest areas have water, snacks and restrooms.
The food trucks will be open for lunch from 11:30am-2:30pm at Bargreen’s field next to the Blue Heron Bistro.
For those on a day trip, the ride back to the ferry landing is about 4.5 miles from the Village.
Poster art by local artist Laine Nichols. Posters will be available for purchase at the event.
This is your one-stop shop for all things Tour de Lopez.
Don’t see the answer to your questions here? Feel free to email us at: lopezchamber@lopezisland.com
FAQ:
- Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event? There is no minimum age – the whole family is welcome. However, participants under 18 will need their waiver signed by a parent or guardian and must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
- Are e-bikes allowed to participate? Yes, all types of bikes are welcome in our family-friendly, non-competitive tour aimed at accommodating riders of all skill levels and abilities in an eco-friendly environment.
- What’s the refund policy? Life gets in the way of even the best laid plans. Refunds are available until April 12th in the event you have to cancel because of a change of plans, illness or injury. Please remember, this event goes on rain or shine. There are no refunds due to inclement weather or ferry cancellations.
- Can I register the day of the event? Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that there will be tickets available the day of the event. Both Rider tickets and Lunch Only tickets typically sell out early on. We recommend purchasing your tickets as early as possible to hold your space.
- How do I get to Lopez? Washington State Ferries is the place to start. Reservations for ferry travel with a vehicle are recommended for this event. Please check the WSDOT website and the information section below for more information.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Accommodations: Discover Lopez’s varied accommodations – from charming hotels and farm cottages to camping options. Secure your preferred stay by reserving early, as space is limited. Make the most of your Tour de Lopez experience by staying amidst the island’s unique charm.
- Edenwild Boutique Inn: A darling B&B in the center of town featuring cottages and private rooms with water views and close proximity to all the action.
- Lopez Farm Cottages: A farm style inn offering cottages and campsite accommodations. A combination of Scandinavian style cottages, furnished wall tents, drive up vehicle campsites, and traditional campsites.
- Lopez Islander Resort & Marina: Offers a variety of clean and comfortable accommodations – standard rooms, suites and vacation homes all with fully outfitted kitchens or kitchenettes, cable TV and bay view balconies. RV sites with power and seasonal camping are also available.
- Lopez Lodge: Boasts three rooms; the studio, single, and double. All come with water views, free TV & WiFi and are located in the heart of Lopez Village.
- Odlin County Park: 41 campsites located on 180 acres of beautiful ocean-front and forested property. Lower your carbon footprint by leaving your car in Anacortes and camping for the weekend.
- Spencer Spit State Park: There are 37 standard reservable campsites and seven hiker/biker sites that are available first-come, first-served. Three first come, first served Cascadia Marine Trail sites are available if you arrive by wind- or human-powered watercraft. Discover Pass required.
Ferries:
- If you’re arriving by car, it’s best that you reserve a spot on the ferry. The Spring schedule begins Sunday March 24th. Check here www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries to see if any spaces are available at this time. The next opportunity for more available spaces will be at 7 AM 2 weeks and 2 days before the sailing date you want. That means additional spaces for April 27th will become available April 13th and April 25th at 7 AM. There are no reservations available for departing Lopez Island.
- Reservations for the spring schedule (Mar. 24 – Jun. 15) will become available on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 10 AM.
- A vehicle reservation is not a ticket. It has no cost unless you no show – If you do not show up, you will be charged a fee. If you make multiple reservations and only use one, you will be charged a no-show fee for the unused reservation(s).
- If you travel on foot/bicycle, your ticket rate is considerably lower than if you bring a motor vehicle, and reservations are for vehicles only – Walk-on passengers and those bringing bicycles can buy a ticket online or pay when you arrive.
- Visit the Department of Transportation website for more information regarding ferry reservations and times.
- Unscheduled Ferry Stop on Lopez April 27th: The Washington State Ferries have agreed to make an unscheduled stop on Lopez on the 7:30AM ferry bound for Orcas. If you wish to make a reservation for this unscheduled stop, you need to make a reservation from Anacortes to Orcas on the 7:30AM sailing. When you arrive in Anacortes, with your reservation in hand, identify yourself to the ticket seller as a Tour de Lopez participant, and you will be charged the fare to Lopez, and staged in the appropriate lane for the Lopez unscheduled stop.
Food:
Lunch will be provided by David’s BBQ, El Taco ‘Bout It, and Poutine Your Mouth. We are very excited to feature these three local food trucks/vendors and know there that will be something delicious for everyone! You will receive a food voucher in your welcome packet at check-in that you can redeem at the food vendor of your choice.
And as always, there will be treats and snacks at all four rest stops along the ride, as well as something sweet to enjoy after lunch.
Music, Entertainment & Shopping:
This year at Tour de Lopez we will have two wonderful bands playing a range of styles and hits to set the vibe for the event. Make sure to bring your dancing shoes, because it’s sure to be a fun time!
We will have a wide selection of vendors again at this year’s event. From locally made goods, to fine art, to booths advertising local non-profits and businesses, there will be lots to view and purchase. See below for more information on purchasing Tour de Lopez specific merchandise.
Visit the directory section of this website for our dining guide and list of businesses that will be open the weekend of the event.
Parking & Transportation:
- Parking: Washington State Ferries will be providing free parking at the Anacortes Terminal, Thursday – Sunday, for registered participants wanting to leave their car on the mainland. We will send the necessary Parking Pass to display in your car window in early April. Parking at the event and in Lopez Village will be limited, so we strongly encourage you to leave your car in Anacortes and bike onto the ferry.
- Transportation: Once again, we are teaming up with San Juan Transit to provide shuttle service to and from Lopez Ferry Terminal on Saturday, April 27. The shuttle is equipped to transport your bike as well, but is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Routes & Maps:
Visit this page of our website and follow the link to the Tour de Lopez map. Paper copies as well as turn by turn instructions will be given out as a part of your welcome packet. We will also have a downloadable .gps version available for those who prefer to view the map that way.
Shirts & Merch:
Shirts are available for pre-order until April 1st. We will have a limited amount of shirts available for sale the day of the event as well, however pre-order is the best way to ensure that we have the style and size you want in stock.
(All pre-ordered t-shirts can be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce booth the day of the event.)
Additional Lopez & Tour de Lopez-themed items (totes, hats, wine glasses and posters) will be available for purchase on the day of the event.
