Ride the Nightmare...

The 5th Annual PASSPORT TO PAIN on Vashon Island: The toughest, most fun ride in the Puget Sound region. Is Saturday Sept. 12.

Situated on beautiful Vashon Island, PASSPORT TO PAIN (or P2P) is an extraordinary cycling challenge that offers 3 levels of vertical climb -- the 80-mile Idiot ride with a climb of 10,000 vertical feet, the 50-mile Weasel ride (6,500 vertical ft.), or the 30-mile Weenie ride (3,400 vertical ft.). The 5th Annual P2P will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2015.

What makes P2P different from other rides? Despite 10,000 vertical feet to climb, P2P organizers pride themselves on making the experience feel like a party on wheels. A dedicated team of event staffers regale riders at each of the 18 checkpoints. Wearing outlandish costumes and providing comedic relief, they stand at the ready to collect clothing, stamp passports and provide refreshments. Whether riders complete the Idiot, the Weasel, or the Weenie, they can all count on a fun-filled party waiting for them at the finish line and an over-the-top pile of BBQ to devour.

“Fantastic ride! Brutal route. Brutal! But amazing volunteers, super fellow cyclists and some really delicious brownies helped me power through the last 25 miles. I’ll be back next year!”
–2014 P2P rider

P2P was started by the Vashon Island Rowing Club (VIRC), a non-profit organization that supports more than 100 island youth and adults each year by offering a competitive rowing program. VIRC has consistently trained world-class champion rowers in our junior crew program and produced over $1.2 million in college scholarships earned by Vashon rowers in just the past 4 years. The VIRC program is year-round. PASSPORT TO PAIN was founded as a way to help raise funds and have fun at the same time. The funds raised by P2P support the VIRC in purchasing new equipment, offering financial aid to many young rowers, and making improvements to their facility and boats.

In addition to its 10,000 vertical feet, P2P also gains a uniquely fun and outlandish flavor from its location – beautiful Vashon Island, just 20-minutes west of Seattle by ferry boat. Long populated by artists, small organic farmers, and those who seek a rural lifestyle close to the Seattle metropolis, Vashon adopted its slogan “Keep Vashon Weird” many years ago. P2P prides itself on creating a fun and wacky ride – checkpoint volunteers dress in costumes or decorate their checkpoint booths in themes – in 2014, a devil costume and an insane asylum were the highlights. P2P is a ride for fun, not a race.  Organizers do not keep times ‒ so there are only winners, no losers (a very Vashon tradition).  

This year, P2Ps “Idiots,” “Weasels” and “Weenies” will gather at Jensen Point on Saturday, September 12, 2015 for the chance to prove their endurance - or outright insanity - on this brutal Island-wide ride.

Online registration for PASSPORT TO PAIN opens on May 5 at www.passport2pain.org. The registration fee is $100. Team Options are available: up to 12 riders in a group can join, so they can start at the same time and ride together. The registration fee remains $100 per individual for teams. All proceeds from P2P benefit the non-profit Vashon Island Rowing Club.

Event Details:
- This is the 5th Annual P2P Island Ride (the event is not a race)
- P2P will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2015
 - P2P begins at Jensen Point on the Burton Loop at 8 AM
- Riders are given a passport to be stamped at each checkpoint
- The longest ride option includes a climb of 10,000 vertical feet on the 80-mile course
- There are three course options for all riding levels:
o The Idiot – 10,000 vertical feet - 80 miles
o The Weasel – 6,500 vertical feet - 50 miles
o The Weenie – 3,400 vertical feet - 30 miles
“For intensity, P2P takes the ribbon. I’ve done Ramrod 4 times and never once pondered not finishing. P2P – from Maury Island on – was one long slog of self-doubt and pain. So yeah, I’ll be back next year!”
– 2011 rider