Check out our interactive slideshow capturing some of the best photos from the 2017 bike ride.

Cyclists soak in scenery, savor a slice of pie

Cyclists of all levels got a chance to soak in the scenery while actively enjoying the outdoors during the Whidbey Camano Land Trust’s second annual Sea, Trees, & Pie Bike Ride July 23.

To top it off, they got to savor the experience with a slice of pie from Whidbey Pies afterward.

The non-competitive ride was designed to give riders an opportunity to see first hand the scenic beauty of Central Whidbey and offered a look at some of the nature preserves and agricultural lands protected by the Land Trust.

Participants got a chance to ride five, 10 or 20-mile loops. A birding platform near Crockett Lake served as the start and finish area.

The Land Trust’s Crockett Lake Preserve is a prominent feature of all three routes. The 20-mile route passes by the Land Trust’s Admiralty Inlet Preserve among other protected lands.

The event was a fundraiser for the Land Trust to support its mission to actively involve the community in protecting and restoring our treasured lands and waters.

The Land Trust’s board of directors organized and the event, which drew 55 riders.

“This bike ride showcases several of our beautiful open spaces protected for all of us,” said Debora Valis, board president. “The best part of the ride is sharing Whidbey Island’s beauty and that feeling of surprise when you round a corner and see vistas of working farms or hundreds of birds on Crockett Lake. The pie seems to be a crucial motivator — everyone was willing to work hard for a piece of pie.”

The pies were generously donated by Whidbey Pies, one of the event’s sponsors. Other sponsors were Skagit Cycle, Penn Cove Taproom, Bayview Bicycles and the Prairie Center Red Apple Market.