If you are anything like me, you are probably always on the hunt for new and exciting ways to experience Olympia. What if I told you there was a way to learn interesting facts about the city, drink beer at some local haunts, ride bikes and enjoy some beautiful views around town all in one experience? You would totally flip out and sign up, right? Thanks to the latest offering from South Sound Adventures, you can! Olympia Bike and Beer Tour is a guided city excursion by bicycle with stops for drinks, photo ops, history and more. I went for a ride with owner and tour guide, Robin Knutson.
The tour starts at Tumwater Historical Park. There you meet Robin, whom you will love, and get checked-in. You are welcome to bring your own bike and helmet, or have them provided by the tour. After a quick history lesson on the old Olympia brewery, you hit the road. We pedaled leisurely around the west side of Capitol Lake and made our first stop at Fish Tale Brewery. After enjoying a crisp IPA, we set out again for a loop through the Capitol campus.
We cruised through the city, taking frequent stops for photos, until we reached our second destination, Oly Taproom. Stocked with over 600 bottles and cans in addition to a rotating tap list, Oly Taproom will for sure provide you with something to wet your whistle. I opted for a pineapple cider. Having satisfied my sweet tooth, I was ready to get back to business.
From there we rolled down Marine Drive to take in some scenery around Budd Inlet. The weather was perfect, so we snapped some photos before proceeding back to the route. We quenched our thirst one last time at Three Magnets Brewing. We sipped IPAs on the deck and chatted with Robin about what was happening with South Sound Adventures and how he came up with the idea for the Olympia Beer and Bike Tour.
Robin was born and raised in Olympia with a clear passion for the city. As an avid cyclist and lover of local business, he is a natural fit for a guide. “Beer is a big part of Olympia’s history,” he said. “I saw there was a need for a guided city tour.” He partnered with local businesses to create the tour and put together a leisurely ride through Olympia that includes history and scenery alike. The tour takes about three hours to complete and is 11 miles long. This might seem lengthy to some, but the trip is broken up into manageable lengths with minimal hills and is suitable for all skill levels.
As Robin explains, he wanted the tour to “have an emphasis on supporting local business and having fun.” On my ride I learned so many interesting tidbits about the city and explored areas of town I would have otherwise missed. And as for having fun, I could not have asked for a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
I should also mention that the tour comes equipped with its very own soundtrack. Robin’s bike is fitted with a speaker to keep the tunes rolling in rhythm with the tires on the pavement. We crooned along with Frank Sinatra and danced a little dance to the Gypsy Kings. This extra touch made the experience all the more enjoyable.
Tours are available daily, departing from Tumwater Historical Park at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Reservations are required in advance and can be made here. The cost to participate includes a bike, helmet, beer at three locations and tons of fun. While participants must be 21 years of age to enjoy the beer portion of the tour, all ages are welcome and can simply opt for a carbonated beverage of the non-alcoholic variety.
The Olympia Bike and Beer Tour is a must for your calendar. Round up your pals and see for yourself. To learn more about pricing and to schedule your tour today, please visit the Olympia Bike and Beer Tour website or follow them on Facebook. You can call to schedule a ride at 360-970-9619.
