2012 Bicycling Events: Expanded list

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Spokefest attracted 1,200 riders in its September 2008 debut.
(Full-size photo)

Add an event

If you don’t see your regional cycling event listed, send information by email to Outdoors editor Rich Landers.

Pick up the pace in a bicycle race

Cyclists who consider organized bike rides passé can break away in one of these regional competitive races:

    Multi-Day camping tours

    Cycle Montana, June 23-29: Fully supported camping tour from Missoula sponsored by Adventure Cycling. $1,200.
    Cycle Washington, July 7-14 and July 16-23: Two different fully supported tours into the North Cascades based out of Redmond, sponsored by Adventure Cycling. $1,200.
    Ride Around Washington, by Cascade Bicycle Club, Aug. 4-10: RAW is zeroing in on far Eastern Washington this year, starting in Chewelah, going through the Colville National Forest, down to Spokane and around the Palouse for a six-day, 400-mile fully supported tour. $930.
    Ride Idaho, Aug. 5-11: annual seven-day, fully supported, 400-mile bicycle tour that changes each year. The 2012 route runs from New Meadows to Moscow, with option for whitewater rafting. Organized by a non-profit group of cyclists. Limit: 350 riders. $735.
    Cycle Oregon, Sept. 8-15: First-class fully catered ride, 400-500 miles, in a different portion of Oregon each year. Limited to 2,200 riders. This year staging from Bly to Ashland and back. $895.

Area cycling groups

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Following is the 2012 Bicycling Calendar expanded list for events within a 300-mile range of Spokane.

Some of these tours are club events while many are fundraisers that feature great food, with cyclists happily donating to charitable causes in return for the pampering of a well-oiled event.

Plan ahead. Quotas for some popular events are reached months in advance. Other events offer discounts for early registration.

February

Chilly Hilly, Feb. 26: Kicking off the cycling season for 39 years, 33 mile route around Bainbridge Island attracts about 6,000 riders. About $30 with ferry fare.

April

Daffodil Classic, April 15: Ride 40, 60 or 100-mile loops in the Orting Valley southeast of Tacoma, sponsored by Tacoma Wheelmen’s Bicycle Club. $20.

Lilac Century and Family Fun Ride, April 29: Ride 15, 25, 50, 66 or 100 miles starting at Spokane Falls Community College, with food stops and baked potato at the finish. Sponsored by Aurora Northwest Rotary. Email: lilaccentury@gmail.com. Register in advance for discount, but event accepts same-day entries.

May

Inland Empire Century, May 12: Ride 25-, 50-, 75- or 100-mile routes through orchards, vineyards and farm fields in the lower Yakima-Columbia river valleys, sponsored by Kiwanis and Group Health. $35.

Skagit Spring Classic, May 12: Skagit Bicycle Club’s 22nd annual event includes routes of 25, 45, 61 and 100 miles between Burlington and Bellingham. $35.

Ride of Silence , May 16: Spokane Valley’s event will be one of more than 300 rides around the nation to commemorate cyclists killed in traffic. Loosely organized, it starts at 7 p.m. and runs 3 miles. Starting location not determined. See website for details.

TOSRV-West, May 19-20: The classic route founded in 1976 is back for the the 42nd annual Tour of the Swan River Valley based from Missoula. Gone is the out-and-back ride of recent years as organizers return to the original two-day, 226-mile loop ride from Missoula to Bigfork, returning along Flathead Lake to Missoula. Limited to 300 riders. $105 plus Missoula Bicycle Club membership.

Bike to Work Week, May 20-26: About 1,500 cyclists participate in Spokane’s bike commuting event, which kicks off with a free bike commuter breakfast and other activities.

Century Ride of the Centuries, May 26-28: Three days of supported riding and meals with new route options each day through Eastern Oregon farmlands near Pendleton and Blue Mountains. Limited to 250 riders. $195.

R7 Hills of Kirkland, May 28: A 40-mile “seven hills route” or a 62-mile metric century from urban to rural roads on a low-traffic holiday. Early registration discounts.

June

Apple Century, June 2: Ride the new 25-mile route or the traditional 50 or 100 miles in the 25th annual event starting from Walla Walla Point Park in Wenatchee. By Wenatchee Sunrise Rotary; about 900 riders. $65.

CHaFE 150 Bike Ride, June 2: a 150-mile loop, timed Grand Fondo style this year, with five food stops from Sandpoint, through Troy and Bonners Ferry and back (or choose the shorter 80-miler). Benefits Panhandle Alliance for Education. Limited to 350 riders. Team options. $120, includes cool jersey.

3 Rivers Race, June 2: Ride 70- or 100-mile routes based in La Grande, Ore., through Grande Ronde Valley. Benefits fight against domestic violence. $50 minimum pledge.

Pedal Around a Glacier, eh!, June 2-3: PAGE starts in Nelson, British Columbia, for a two-day, 140-mile ride along Kokanee and Slocan Lakes and twice across the spine of the Selkirk Mountains to loop around Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. Overnight in New Denver along Slocan Lake.

Spokane Summer Parkways, June 3 at Chief Garry-Logan Neighborhood, noon.-3 p.m. Event is designed for families to ride streets free of motor vehicles in two locations. Another Summer Parkways event is set for June 20 on the South Hill at Comstock-Manito Neighborhood, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Free.

Bicycle Poker Run, June 3: Sponsored by Missoula Lions Club, ride 50 or 100 miles along the Clark Fork River starting east of Missoula at Bearmouth. Draw cards at aid stations for prizes. $50.

Flying Wheels Summer Century, June 9: Based from Redmond, ride rural Puget Sound routes of 24, 45, 65 or 100 miles in what’s billed by Cascade Bicycle Club as the largest century in Washington. $35.

Ann Weatherill Cycling Classic, June 16: Ride 30-, 60- or 100-mile routes from Walla Walla’s Pioneer Park, includes food stop and post-ride wine and buffet. Organized by Wheatland Wheelers. Benefits cycling safety. $45.

I Made the Grade, June 16: Based out of Chief Timothy Park near Clarkston, the 32nd annual 18-mile ride climbs 2,000 feet up the Lewiston Grade via the Old Spiral Highway. Organized by Clarkston High School Band. $20.

Loreen Miller Bike Ride, June 16: choose from 12, 25, 50 or 100-mile courses based out of Mt. Spokane High School. Post-ride music and food. Fundraiser for cancer patient care.

Ride the Wall, June 21: About 150 riders of all ages celebrate the summer equinox in this 13-mile evening ride along the Coeur d’Alene River from Enaville Resort, followed by a barbecue. Benefits Habitat for Humanity.

Tour de Blast, June 23: attracts 1,400 riders to national monument roads in the Mount St. Helens volcanic blast zone. Routes cover 33, 54 or 82 miles, with the longest one tackling 6,240 in elevation gain to fantastic views. Sponsored by Longview Rotary. $55.

RATPOD, Ride Around the Pioneers in One Day, June 23: Ride 130 miles in one day through the Pioneer mountains out of Dillon, Mont. Rider quota usually fills by March. $100.

Cannonball, June 23: A one-day ultra endurance ride totaling 276 miles mostly on I-90. Considered an easier version of the July 7 S2S ride between Seattle and Spokane via U.S. 2. Entrants must join the Redmond Cycling Club. $20.

Mazama Ride, June 23-24: runs 75 miles each day on North Cascades Highway from Marblemount to Mazama for the overnight and back. $140-$190.

Chelan Century Challenge, June 23: Join 500 riders on one-to-three loops ranging from 30-40 miles each past Lake Chelan vineyards. Do the entire century ride and bag 8,606 vertical feet of elevation gain. $55.

Spokane Summer Parkways, June 20 on South Hill at Comstock-Manito Neighborhood, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Event designed for families to ride streets free of motor vehicles. Free.

Northwest Tandem Rally, Wonders of the Willamette, June 29-July 2: The 27th annual rally for tandems ( and other bikes ) will tour Oregon’s Willamette Valley based out of Willamette University in Salem. $75.

July

Bite the Bullet Tour, July 1: From Lapwai, Idaho, near Lewiston, a loosely organized tour by Twin Rivers Cyclists; semi-supported 68-mile ride with challenging climbs –4,000 feet total – on the Winchester Grade. Starts 9 a.m. at Lapwai Grocery parking lot. $10.

Seattle 2 Spokane, July 7: S2S is a one-day ultra endurance ride totaling 284 miles and 12,000 feet of climbing, mostly on U.S. 2. It’s considered a tougher version of the June 23 CannonBall ride between Seattle and Spokane via I-90. Entrants must join the Redmond Cycling Club. $20.

Huckleberry Ride, July 8: Loosely organized by Twin River Cyclists ( Lewiston-Moscow area ), the ride starts in Deary (Idaho) City Park at 9 a.m. and runs 54 miles to Elk River and back.

Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic, July 14-15: STP goes 200 miles, fully supported. Largest of the region’s cycling events with 10,000 riders, sponsored by Group Health. Tight schedule? Ride all 200 miles in one day. Return by bus. (Sold out March 21 in 2011; Feb. 21 in 2012.)

One Helena Hundred, July 14: Ride 63 miles along the Missouri River from Cascade to Wolf creek and back, sponsored by Helena Bicycle Club. $50.

August

Ride Around Washington , by Cascade Bicycle Club, Aug. 4-10: RAW is zeroing in on far Eastern Washington this year, starting in Chewelah, going through the Colville National Forest, down to Spokane and around the Palouse for a six-day, 400-mile fully supported tour. $930.

Ride Idaho, Aug. 5-11: annual seven-day, fully supported, 400 bicycle tour that moves to different region of the state. 2012 route runs from New Meadows to Moscow, with option for whitewater rafting. Organized by a non-profit group of cyclists. Limit: 350 riders. $735.

Eight Lakes Leg Aches, Aug. 4: Ride 15-, 30-, 45-, and 75-mile routes, starting from Spokane’s South Hill and out around lakes in Spokane County with about 800 riders to benefit Sexual Assault and Family Trauma Response Center. $40. Info: (509) 343-5020.

Courage Classic, by Multicare Hospital, Aug. 4-6: Ride 172 miles in three days over three mountain passes – Stevens, Blewett, Snoqualmie. $500 in pledges minimum.

Le Tour de Koocanusa, Aug. 11: From Libby, Mont., ride 83 miles along the shoreline of Lake Koocanusa, the second year for this event by the David Thompson Search and Rescue. Coincides with annual Riverfront Blues Festival. $60.

Double Divide Ride, Aug. 11-12: Sponsored by Helena Bicycle Club, goes 139 miles in two days crossing the Continental Divide twice, (83 miles the first day, 56 miles the second) through rolling hills, tranquil valleys and challenging mountain passes in Montana.

Tour de Lentil metric century, Aug. 20: has three pit stops through the rolling Palouse hills based out of Pullman. Email: cycling@wsu.edu. $20.

Three Rivers Century, Aug. 25: Based out of Bozeman, Mont., ride 33, 63 or 100 miles by the Gallatin, Jefferson and Madison rivers in annual event by Gallatin Valley Bicycle Club.

September

Great Northwest Fall Tour , Sept. 2: Ride 15, 30, 50 or 85-mile routes that begin at the Newport City Park. Benefits Newport/Priest River Rotary Club. $25 ($50 per family).

Labor Day Tandem Rally and Bike Ride, Sept. 3: The 60th annual ride loosely organized by the Spokane Bicycle Club; meet 8:30 a.m. at Post Falls Park, Exit 5 on I-90 and ride 30 miles round trip to Rathdrum Lion’s Club Pancake Feed ($5). Info: Don Carlton, (509) 747-5581. No fee.

Spoke-d’Alene Purple Ride and Picnic, not yet scheduled: Runs on the Centennial Trail with options for 4-, 14-, 36 and 56-mile rides; benefits pancreatic cancer awareness and research. $20 with $100 minimum fundraising donation suggested.

SpokeFest Sept. 9: A Spokane event for families as well as serious riders with four tour options: a 1-miler kid-ride with amusements in Riverfront Park that crosses no streets, a 9-mile loop, the classic river loop of 21 miles in Riverside State Park, and a 47-mile that extends the Classic Loop into the Four Mounds area. Music at finish. Register by June 30 for prize drawings.

Kootenai River Ride, Sept. 15: Ride 16, 60 or 100 kilometers near the Kootenai River out of Bonners Ferry fairgrounds supported by Rotarians, followed by baked potato feed. $20.

Cycling for Cystinosis, Sept. 8-9: a 24-hour solo or relay ride near Sandpoint to raise funds for medical research.

High Pass Challenge, Sept. 9: A Cascade Bicycle Club thigh-burner gives up to 600 riders 10 hours to pedal 114 miles and conquer 7,500 feet of climbing around Mount St. Helens. $80.

Bike MS 150, Sept. 8-9: ride 150 miles in two days on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes to benefit local Multiple Sclerosis. Minimum donation $250.

Hot Springs Express, Sept. 14-16: A two-day ride from Seattle to Harrison Hot Spring, British Columbia. Day1 goes107 miles; Day 2 goes 71 miles; board a bus for return on Day 3 after the overnight at hot springs resort. Limited to 50 riders. About $360.

Mica Peak Century Plus, Sept. 16: Ride routes of 15, 30, 70 or 100 miles starting from Coeur d’Alene, fully supported, sponsored by St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Info: (208) 640-1099.

RIM Ride, Sept. 16: Rotary In Motion Family Fun Ride starts and finishes in Liberty Lake with rides of 5, 15, 25, 50 or 100 miles; finishes with potato feed. Costs vary, with family discounts, $5-$45.

WaCanId Ride, Sept. 17-22: a rare international bicycle tour on the International Selkirk Loop, the 4th annual ride includes up to 355 miles or shorter segments. Start in Sandpoint, Idaho, or at Nelson, British Columbia. Limited to 50 riders from each start. Passport required.

Swan Lake Mountain Bike Festival, not yet scheduled: Family event with clinics, kids’ courses, poker rides and more, south of Republic, Wash. Info: ( 509 ) 775-3305.

Valleyfest Trail Ride, Sept. 23: A family bike tour on the Centennial Trail starting at 11 a.m. with other festivities at Mirabeau Point Park. Choice of 6.8-, 8.8- and 15.6-mile routes. $10 or $5 for kids under 11.

October

Methow Fall Bike and Film Festival, details not yet available: numerous self-guided and organized rides, including a century and kids bike rodeo.

Cycle for Life, Oct. 6: A Cystic Fibrosis fundraiser starting in Spokane’s Browne’s Addition. Ride 25 or 65 miles on the Fish Lake Trail and routes near Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge, fully supported, rest stops every 10-12 miles. Riders must be at least 18 years old and raise at least $165 in pledges.

Tour de Rock Mountain Bike Ride Rough Ride , Oct. 6: At 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort. Choose from a fun mountain bike ride at the resort or go for challenge of starting in Chewelah and gaining 4,000 feet of elevation on a variety of surfaces. Benefits ski patrol. Info: (509) 937-4922 or baker9454@gmail.com

Manastash Metric Century, Oct. 6: includes 50-mile or 62-mile options in a ride along the Yakima River from Ellensburg to Cle Elum and back. Organizers claim 14 consecutive years of rainless riding. $30.

Chewelah Valley Lions Fall Half-Century Bike Tour, details not yet available: Ride 25 or 50 miles from Chewelah to Springdale and back via Stevens County loop around Waitts Lake. Sign ups allowed up to the 10 a.m. start time in Chewelah City Park. Info: Becky Washington, rebecca214@centurytel.net

Add an event

If you don’t see your regional cycling event listed, send information by email to Outdoors editor Rich Landers.

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