'Chilly Hilly' bicyclists brave unusually cold weather on Bainbridge Island this year

The annual "Chilly Hilly" bicycle ride around Bainbridge Island was no hillier than usual.

But the rally that traditionally opens the biking season was "the chilliest in recent memory," a Cascade Bicycle Club organizer announced to cyclists milling about under the Alaskan Way Viaduct before boarding the ferry to Bainbridge.

They rolled, by the thousands, on rugged mountain bikes with knobby tires, lightweight carbon-fiber racing rigs, clunky commuter bikes with rattling wire baskets, low-slung recumbent bikes and at least one unicycle. One two-wheeler had a child seat occupied by a bright-green frog the size of a 4-year-old.

They rolled in hoodies and bicycle shorts, rain pants and waterproof shoe covers, wool socks or bare ankles. A few carried red pirate flags, though all around was evidence that in these parts a late February bike ride doesn't make you a renegade.

But they all rolled cold. National Weather Service data show temperatures on the island did not top 40 degrees before 4 p.m.

"I've done it probably 10 times, and this was the worst weather," said Mike Scanlon, 63, of Seattle, as he warmed up on the return ferry ride. But he had no regrets: "It's an institution."

Despite a glimmer of sun around 10 a.m., the skies soon delivered a rotating assortment of light rain, sleet and snow to spur the cyclists along on their 33-mile circuit of the island.

The Chilly Hilly, though relatively short, involves a total elevation gain of 2,675 feet. That's only 335 feet less than the Cascade Bicycle Club's signature ride this summer, the two-day, 204-mile Seattle-to-Portland (STP) ride.

At least the hills kept riders warm, working up a sweat. For the dozens of volunteers who lined the route to warn of sharp turns and busy intersections, it was all precipitation and no perspiration.

Cascade spokeswoman M.J. Kelly said about 3,700 riders registered for the event, which raises money for the club as well as several Bainbridge nonprofit groups. That compares with a record 6,029 last year, when the weather was downright balmy.

The cold didn't sap the energy from Kaiden Matson, who was clambering up and down stairs on the ferry during the return trip. Of course, he's 2 years old and completed the Chilly Hilly in a cozy red bike trailer towed by his father, Aaron.

"He'll probably do the STP with me this year," the father said.

Rami Grunbaum: 206-464-8541 or rgrunbaum@seattletimes.com