This Saturday, some 300 bicyclists are expected to take part in what is becoming an island tradition: Vashon’s  Passport to Pain.

Now in its fifth year,  the race, known as the P2P, is said to be the toughest ride in Puget Sound. Riders have three options: The Idiot is an 80-mile ride that takes in Vashon’s biggest hills for an elevation gain of 10,000 combined feet; The Weasel climbs 6,300 vertical feet over 50 miles, and The Weenie has 3,400 feet of elevation gain over 30 miles.

This year, organizers have created a new element for the event and geared it toward friends and family who come along, but choose to find their amusement in less strenuous activities. An island map, called Passport to Pleasure, is marked with hiking trails, parks and good walking beaches. The Sheepdog Trials are also marked. The trials are expected to draw thousands of people, and P2P founder Bruce Morser said both events taking place at the same time is a good thing — and something organizers would like to continue.

“We’d like to make this its own festival weekend,” he said. “Bike riders, dog lovers, something for everyone.”

Morser created the ride as a fundraiser for the Vashon Island Rowing Club, of which he is a member, and proceeds help fund new boats for the club’s junior rowers.

In earlier years, organizers peddled the “toughest ride” theme, but this year, Morser said they are now touting its wholesome party aspect.

At 18 checkpoints along the way, riders have their “passports” stamped. All checkpoints also provide food, making the P2P the best supported ride in the region, and there is a big barbecue at the end.

“At the end of the day, there are tables and tables of people who have never met before sitting around shooting the breeze,” he said.

For more information about the ride, see Passport2Pain.org.