34th Annual ' Oyster Run" Anacortes, Washington

On Sunday, September 27^th, I attended the 34^th annual “ Oyster Run” hosted by the city of Anacortes, Washington.  It’s one of the region’s biggest annual events and the Pacific Northwest’s largest motorcycle run.  It is estimated that approximately 30,000 motorcycles of all makes and models, rumble into Anacortes for an all-day motorcycle lover’s dream of local rides, various food booths (yes grilled oysters were available), live bands and all sorts of motorcycle merchandise. 

Bikers will spend Friday through Sunday visiting local attractions. Deception Pass on Whidbey Island by far is the main one.  Chuckanut Drive from Burlington to Fair Haven is considered the most scenic ride with the ride down Whidbey Island being second.

Rides along Hwy 9 through Sedro Woolley to Mt Baker are considered all time favorites because of the road conditions and the beautiful northwest scenery on the way to Mt Baker. Bikers have a variety of café’s to satisify their hunger and a good place to sit and visit with your companions to discuss how great the Oyster Run is.  

My ride this year took me through Deception Pass, Whidbey (Had no choice, only route off the island), Hwy 20, Bow-Edison along the coast, and Acme via the back roads. Had lunch at one of my favorite hangouts, the Acme Diner.

It was perfect day for a ride through the back roads of Northern Washington with Mt Maker to look at. I have enjoyed this route many times, my most memorable have been with Andre’, hopefully we will have the opportunity to ride it again soon.  I have been enjoying this event since 1988.

A LITTLE HISTORY:

At the end of summer in 1981, “ Limp Lee” contacted a few guys he knew and suggested they get together and go for a motorcycle ride to Everson, Washington for oyster cocktails. The small group agreed and took off from Marysville by way of Hwy 9, periodically stopping off to sample oysters at different local spots. The following year a few more people joined the group and the next year brought even more. By the 4^th year, Lee’s group grown to almost 200 bukes. As the years progressed the group had grown to big to ride up Hwy 9, so Lee went ans spoke with city officials from Anacortes, Washington in hops of moving the annual run there. After some hesitation and many meetings, the city of Anacotres gave the thumbs up to hold, what is now deemed the“ Oyster run”.