Meet the Navigators: Free Range Cycles

Now in its ninth year, Swift Campout is a global call to adventurous spirits, encouraging people to pack up gear and pedal to their favorite camping spot during the summer solstice. The event weaves together communities from all over the world and showcases each communities’ distinctive love affair with cycling. To capture the magic of the event, we’ve called upon a handful of shops and individuals to design an overnighter that takes folks to their favorite local site– those tasked with leading the rides are called, Navigators. Each Navigator will have their own feature that tells a bit about them and their Campout.

Say howdy to Free Range Cycles, an adventure-seeking bike shop located in Seattle.  

Hi, Free Range! Tell us about your shop!

We’re a woman owned and operated bike shop located in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood since 1997. We specialize in selling new steel bikes of the utilitarian wide-tire variety. We work with commuters, bike campers, cycle tourists, randonneurs and adventurers of all kinds to help folks navigate this city and roll beyond it under their own pedal power. In everything we do, we strive to provide kindness, excellent technical support, thoughtful products, and reliable workmanship to people who are excited about bicycles.

What does Swift Campout mean to you?

I’m a firm believer that the combination of biking and camping is some kind of magic sauce. I love taking an active role in mobilizing myself through the world, and to be able to carry everything I need to survive in nature on two wheels feels like the utmost rebellious freedom. Add in the sense of deep community and bonds that can form between people when we’re out of our typical grind? I know of no more delightful recipe to share.

Can you tell us a bit about your Campout this year? Anything meaningful about your route and why you want to share this with your community?

I absolutely love Vashon Island, and I chose this route because of it’s accessibility for a quick jaunt from Seattle. There are so many incredible remote places to adventure in the PNW, but there’s also a ton of natural beauty to enjoy right in our back yard. It can be easy to get caught up in an all-or-nothing mindset when it comes to exploring the outdoors, but since becoming a bike shop owner my free time has drastically diminished, so I’ve learned to take adventure where I can get it. I’ve had some of my favorite moments on overnight jaunts within a 50 mile radius of the city! This ride is specifically intended to be a small, supportive trip for women, trans and non-binary folks who are comfortable riding on roads but are very new to bike camping. I’m focusing on creating a ride for these folks in particular because, although things are changing in the bike world, I understand that it can still be intimidating to be in cis-male dominated spaces when learning a new skill. Capping the group at 7 registrants (plus me) will allow me to make sure everyone’s bike/camping/bike touring needs are well supported, and makes it possible for us all to connect on a more meaningful level. Our ride will start at Free Range Cycles in Fremont and wind downtown, across the West Seattle Bridge, around Alki beach to the Fauntleroy Ferry. From there we’ll take the ferry to Vashon, climb a large hill off the ferry (with lots of water breaks!) and enjoy a leisurely roll into town where we’ll stop at the local grocery store for supplies. From there it’s a rolling hills ride down to Point Robinson where we’ll set up camp. Traffic on the island is low, the ride will be on all paved roads, and no person will be dropped! Total mileage from Free Range Cycles will be just under 25 miles to camp, with a nice ferry ride break half-way in between. Notes on camping: *There are no fires allowed at the campsite *There is no potable water at the site, so we’ll need to bring our own water in *No camping supplies will be provided, but I’m happy to work with anyone who needs help finding gear/setting up their gear. If you’re registering with a buddy, sharing a tent is encouraged to minimize our impact on the land! *We will have a pre-trip information session/bike-packing best practices class before the ride, date and time TBA.