20 | T CH OE L OGRR C EA O TD EODU T SU DB O JOE RC ST
The Kitsap Peninsula offers hundreds of miles of cycling routes for both recreational and professional cyclists. With the help of the Kitsap Peninsula’s CASCADE CYCLE CLUB, which boasts of more than 15,000 members, competitive bike races are growing as are other biking events throughout the year. The area is known for the Northwest Epic Series Stottlemeyer 60/30 race, the Chilly Hilly, Kitsap Color Classic, Obliteride and Ride around Puget Sound. Great cycling locations include: GREEN MOUNTAIN which has an amazing view on clear days. It has the most height for flowing downhill.
DISCOVE R K ITSAP 2016
CYCLING These trails will challenge riders with its technical sections. The main trail is “Wildcat” with 4.5 miles to Green Mountain Vista. A shorter, less known access trail is Gold Creek. It’s a 2.5 mile route to the Vista. PORT GAMBLE TRAILS is a single track with something for everyone. BANNER FOREST in the Port Orchard area is an amazing tight, flowing single track. It has the least amount of fire roads and more trails packed into an area than one can even believe is possible. KLAHOWYA HERITAGE PARK has great trails to practice technical riding and is great for shorter rides. Riders
can see the entire place in a couple hours, but it will keep you on your toes and leave you with an urge to return for more. ILLAHEE PRESERVE is another great area to ride when time is limited, but you need a “forest” fix for the day. Easily located in east Bremerton. NORTH KITSAP BIKE TOUR: a 25-mile ride that has a bit of everything. Start in Poulsbo or take Highway 305 from the Bainbridge Ferry. POULSBO/PORT GAMBLE LOOP RIDE: 36 miles, some hills, mostly rolling. One of the loop options of the Cascade Bicycle Club.
SWIMMING Whether you like to take a dip in an indoor pool, or put your feet in the water at a sandy beach, there’s a place for both in Kitsap County.
Swimming is also allowed at WILDCAT LAKE COUNTY PARK at 9205 Holly Road NW, in Bremerton as well as at Kitsap Lake Park near Bremerton.
BREMERTON EVERGREEN ROTARY PARK is 10 acres with 1,900 feet of public access shoreline for swimming. The park is filled with great places to have a picnic shore-side or just lay in the sun.
In Central Kitsap, take a dip in Dyes Inlet from the SILVERDALE OLD TOWN PARK. There’s a sandy and rocky beach and places to rest in the warm sun.
Also in Bremerton is the GLENN JARSTAD AQUATIC CENTER which is operated in partnership with the YMCA. Contact the YMCA at 360-337-3741 for membership and aquatic program information. The Glenn Jarstad Aquatic Center is located at 2270 Schley Blvd., Bremerton. In Port Orchard, take a swim at the LONG LAKE COUNTY PARK AND COMMUNITY CENTER at 5100 Long Lake Road SE. There’s lake access and a swimming area. Checkout www.kitsapgov.com/parks/ Parks/pages/regionalparks/long_lake_cc.htm for hours and events.
But if you’d rather swim indoors, try to BAINBRIDGE AQUATIC CENTER at 8521 Madison Ave. N. There are two pools, RAY WILLIAMSON POOL and DON NAKATA POOL, both housed at the aquatic center. A variety of programs and services are offered by the Bainbridge Island Parks Department, including swim lessons for youth and adults, youth swim team, adult swim team, lap swimming, leisure swimming and a variety of innovative aquatic fitness classes that cater to all ability levels. The Ray Williamson Pool is a six lane 25-yard pool was built in 1970 . The Don Nakata Memorial Pool was built in 2001 that includes a 180 foot water slide, lazy river, and a sloped beach entry.
SKATE PARKS
Put on your skates and don’t forget to bring along your skateboard. There are several challenging skate board parks to choose from including the SOUTH KITSAP SKATE PARK, Port Orchard, which has 7,000 square-foot bowl, a 7,700 square-foot plaza and a 16-foot full pipe. The skate park is always busy with young people trying to improve their skills. It’s a great place to skate, or just to watch skateboarders. In Silverdale, the KITSAP SKATE PARK at Silverdale Way and Wagga Way includes a pyramid, quarter pipe and 7-foot bowl. Near to the Clear Creek Trail, this park offers lots of opportuni-
ties for fun for the entire family. And there’s parking nearby.
ISLAND LAKE SKATE PARK at 12500 Camp Court NW, in Poulsbo is a 10,000 square-foot skate park, fully covered with lights and sound system. It boasts of an intricate and diverse street course. Kingston, too, has a half-acre skate park at 10878 NE Kinston Road. And there’s a great indoor skating rink in BREMERTON SKATELAND at 1740 NE Fuson Road, Bremerton; Phone: 360479-7655.