NIKO / FRELARD

A gathering of friends · Ballard & Frelard

One more ride for Niko.

A gathering of friends · Ballard & Frelard, Seattle

One more
ride for
Niko.

For the miles he rode, the places he loved, and every person who knew him along the way.

We're planning a bicycle ride through some of Niko's favorite Ballard bars, finishing with pizza and stories at Big Mario's in Frelard, followed by an informal pool after-party at 4Bs next door. Join at any stop, ride or walk a stretch, stay put until we pass through, or meet everyone at the finish. Rental bikes are welcome; you don't need a bike to be part of it.

See the ride Gathering details

In planning: date, time, and venue arrangements are not yet confirmed.

Niko wearing a dark knit cap, with long hair, seated in front of a colorful mural
THIS IS NIKOFRIEND · MAKER · NEIGHBOR
BALLARDFRELARD
The planA neighborhood ride + a wake
DateTo be announced
StartOlaf's, Ballard
FinishBig Mario's, Frelard
Event details ↗Ride stops ↗Share a memory ↗Add photos ↗Print a flyer ↗

01 / Follow his wheels

The neighborhood
ride.

07proposed neighborhood stops
from Ballard to Frelard

Niko biked everywhere, but this is an open-ended gathering, not a race or a ride you have to complete. Join us at any stop, stay there until we come through, or travel along with us by bike or on foot. We'll leave word when we've moved on so friends can catch up at the next stop. We hope the crew grows as we go. Rental bikes are fine, and no bike is required. This route is a flexible draft; stops, times and venue arrangements are not yet confirmed.

  1. 01 START

    Olaf's

    Proposed meetup; Sunday opening and group permission are not yet confirmed.

    6301 24th Ave NW
    Map ↗
  2. 02

    Old County Bar

    Suggested neighborhood stop; friends and staff can help confirm details.

    5811 24th Ave NW
    Map ↗
  3. 03

    Ballard Smoke Shop

    A familiar stop along Ballard Avenue.

    5439 Ballard Ave NW
    Map ↗
  4. 04

    King's Hardware

    Another possible stop; subject to friends' input and venue approval.

    5225 Ballard Ave NW
    Map ↗
  5. 05

    Lock & Keel

    Pool, stories and neighborhood history.

    5144 Ballard Ave NW
    Map ↗
  6. 06

    Conor Byrne Pub

    May be an outdoor memory stop depending on opening hours.

    5140 Ballard Ave NW
    Map ↗
  7. 07 FINISH

    Big Mario's · Frelard

    Proposed gathering for pizza and memories; not booked.

    4350 Leary Way NW
    Map ↗
Open all stops in Google Maps ↗ Directions are a draft. Map apps may omit waypoints; follow the stop list and a ride leader on the day.

02 / The destination

Come for
the stories.
Stay for pizza.

The ride ends at Big Mario's in Frelard, where everyone can join in—whether or not you have a bike. After pizza and stories, friends can continue next door to 4Bs for pool in Niko's honor.

We'll get together, share favorite memories, look at photos, and raise a glass to Niko. There won't be a formal service or a required speech. Just people who knew him, in a neighborhood he loved. The evening can continue at 4Bs with games of pool.

Date and timeTo be announced
Gathering venueBig Mario's, 4350 Leary Way NW
ReservationNot yet confirmed
RidingOptional — everyone is welcome
After-partyPool at 4Bs, next to Big Mario's — timing to be announced

Please don't rely on a time or booking until this page is updated. This is a friends-organized memorial gathering, and venue arrangements are still being made.

03 / The person behind the ride

Remembering
Niko.

Some people make a neighborhood feel like a neighborhood.

Niko was a Greek immigrant who lived in this neighborhood for more than 40 years. He belonged to both Ballard and Fremont—to Frelard, and to the people who crossed his path between them.

He rode his bike everywhere. He spent time at the Sloop, at Big Mario's, at the bars along Ballard Avenue, and around pool tables with friends. He took photographs, made things, had strong opinions, and always seemed to have something worth talking about.

Niko loved woodworking and photography. He noticed the trees, the light over Frelard, the water, and the familiar details of a pool table. Friends have shared photographs he took himself, alongside a photograph of him with a friend. We remember him as a maker and a photographer, not just the person in the pictures.

This is a place to remember the ordinary moments as much as the extraordinary ones: spotting him on his bike, running into him at a bar, another conversation that took an unexpected turn.

Bring a photograph. Bring a story. Or just bring yourself. That is enough.

04 / The moments we shared

Photos of Niko.

Have a picture or video of Niko? Add it to the shared Google Photos album, or browse the moments friends have collected. The album is hosted on Google Photos, not this website.

Niko wearing a knit cap, smiling beside a friend at a neighborhood bar
Niko with a friend · Shared in remembrance
A large old tree, its branches spreading overhead in daylight
Among the trees · Photograph by Niko
A golden-orange sunset over rooftops and power lines
Evening light · Photograph by Niko
A green felt pool table with billiard balls scattered across it
At the pool table · Photograph by Niko
One of Niko’s photographic prints hanging at Outlander Brewery, with a note beneath it crediting him
Niko’s print at Outlander Brewery · The note beneath the print credits him
Add photos or videos ↗ View the shared album ↗

Google Photos may ask you to sign in to contribute. Please share only photos you have permission to share, and remember that anyone with the album link may be able to view them.

Help spread the word

Share a flyer.

Help friends remember Niko, a Greek immigrant who spent more than 40 years in this neighborhood. Print a high-contrast black-and-white flyer or a color poster. Both have a QR code linking to the latest ride details. Please get permission before putting a flyer up at a business.

Print or share memorial flyers ↗

05 / Stories worth keeping

Leave a memory.

Remember a bike ride, a conversation, a pool game, or a moment at the bar? Share it here for Niko's friends. Messages are reviewed before they appear publicly.

Add your story

Checking whether the online guestbook is ready…

No login needed. We don't publish submissions automatically or collect email addresses. You can also write in the memory book at the gathering.

From friends

Loading approved memories…

06 / A few things to know

Good to know.

Don't ride? No problem.

Walk between stops, stay at one location while the group passes through, or meet everyone at Big Mario's and 4Bs. No bike required.

Ride safely.

Helmets are strongly encouraged, and working front and rear bike lights are essential if riding after dark. Bring layers and follow traffic rules. Rental bikes are welcome. Walkers and friends meeting us at stops are just as welcome. Keep the cycling portion alcohol-free.

Stops are flexible.

We may stop outside some bars for a memory or photo rather than going inside. We'll leave word as the group moves along, but this isn't live tracking; check the next listed stop or the finish if you miss us. Staff arrangements and business hours are not yet confirmed.

Help remember him.

Have a favorite picture, bike story, or pool story? Bring it along and share it with the people gathering.