FRUMPS — Friday Urban Merry Pedalers

FRUMPS stands for Friday Urban Merry Pedalers — which tells you something about the spirit of the ride before you even show up. Part of Cascade Bicycle Club’s fleet of creatively named weekday ride series, FRUMPS rolls out of West Seattle on Friday mornings with routes that take advantage of what the south end of Seattle has to offer. The Vashon Island loop — with its ferry crossing, 40 miles of island roads, and return crossing — is a featured option that turns a Friday morning into a genuine mini-adventure.

The ferry component is part of what makes this ride distinct in Seattle’s group ride scene. You’re not just cycling; you’re cycling onto a boat and continuing on an island that most people only visit by car. Vashon and Maury Islands have good roads and relatively light traffic, making the combination of ferry ride and island cycling more rewarding than typical mainside routes.

Cascade Bicycle Club group ride — free, advance registration required at cascade.org. The West Seattle starting point is accessible from the southern reaches of the city and nearby suburbs. Check cascade.org for exact meeting location and current schedule.