What and when?

Next Willy Nilly: v18 - Sunday, February 28, 2027

The Willy Nilly is a free-form version of an annual season-opening bicycling spin that happens on beautifully weird Vashon Island.


Willy Nilly Basics

> Registration/fees: None (for the record: this is not a ride that is "organized" for, or by, anyone...)
> "Ride your ride": Willy Nilly riders choose their ride details...start time, route, distance, pace...lycra, wool, or denim...maybe some road, gravel, or single track (there are trails on Vashon)...
> Number of riders: People frequently ask about this...basically the numbers are unknown, as riders start/finish in different locations, at different times...and ride different routes...plus weather factors year over year, etc...we've estimated hundreds some years, and dozens other years...
> One of many Vashon routes (a "standard"): map

Scroll down to view hastily-scribed blurb posts about past Willy Nillys...

Click here to sign up for Willy Nilly ride news (Willy Nilly season-opening, Sunride summer solstice, Ogriteride gravel celebration of/thanks to Fred Hutch)

Willy Nilly Gear

> Willy Nilly t-shirts ($0 profit): view/purchase

Willy Nilly History

> In January 2009, a handful of cycling friends were discussing options for a wintery road bike ride to kick off a new season. None of us were game for the iconic Chilly Hilly on Bainbridge Island. While the Chilly Hilly (CBC) does an amazing job of inspiring thousands of riders to register and ride the designated route, a structured ride of this ilk just wasn't our particular cup of tea (loose analogy: we feel more aligned with backpackers vs cruise ship passengers). To each their own, right? We decided to ride a more personalized and free-form ride on the same day as the Chilly Hilly, in solidarity with the herd to the north of us. Thus the present-day Willy Nilly was born.


Click here to sign up for reminders about upcoming Willy Nilly rides

v18 Afternoon Delite

Willy Nilly
February 22, 2026

(obviously not AI) 

On this Willy Nilly day, Vashon's afternoon conditions were perfect for those of us who do sometimes like to ride when it's moderately chilly, with perhaps just a hint dampness.  👋

Homage to a lesson learned: Sometimes afternoon is the most delightful time for a ride. 

It is said that using the kick-bait training tool can occasionally result in unanticipated positive outcomes. 

['kick-bait': not to be confused with 'click-bait', kick-bait occupies whatever self-care wellness category also includes a bamboo back scratcher...basically kick-bait is a helpful tool that involves bribing oneself when their ride motivation is misbehaving...for example: "wouldn't a slice of O Solo Mio (Mario) Pizza on Vashon taste good this afternoon?"].

Today's kick-bait outcome was positive. Maybe the kick-bait helped, and maybe it didn't. The pizza was worth it, either way.