Late-summer bicycling events roll into October
There’s no reason to lose the cycling edge you honed this season as summer freewheels into autumn.
Cycling events of some sort for a wide range of abilities are scheduled every week through September and into October.
On some weekends cyclists must choose from one of several tours, races or fundraisers on a single day.
The events this month range from 1-mile loops through Spokane’s Riverfront Park to a lung- and thigh-busting tour de pain over Cascades mountain passes. The variety offers cyclists of all abilities a ride worth joining for prizes, exercise and two-wheel camaraderie.
Many of the tours are fund raisers that feature great food, with cyclists happily donating to charitable causes in return for the pampering of a well-oiled event.
Following is a list of coming cycling events around the Northwest:
Spoke-d’Alene Purple Ride and picnic, Saturday, on the Centennial Trail with options for 4-, 15-, and 35-mile rides; benefits pancreatic cancer awareness and research. Cost: $20 with $100 minimum donation.
Info: www.pancan.org/purpleride
Great Northwest Fall Tour, Sept. 5: Choose 15-, 30-, 50-, or 85-mile routes through rural Pend Oreille County and along the Pend Oreille River, plus food stops and a meal at the finish.
Info: gnwft.homestead.com
Labor Day Tandem Rally and bike ride, Sept. 6, the 58th annual ride, loosely organized by the Spokane Bicycle Club (no fee); meet 9 a.m. at East Valley High School and ride 40 miles round-trip to Rathdrum Lion’s Club Pancake Feed ($7).
Info: www.spokanebicycleclub.org
Kootenai River Ride, Sept. 11: Ride 16, 60 or 100 kilometers near the Kootenai River out of Bonners Ferry fairgrounds supported by Rotarians, followed by baked potato feed.
Info: www.ruralnorthwest.com/rotary
Pedal Around a Glacier, eh! (PAGE), Sept. 11-12: From Nelson, British Columbia, this two-day, 140-mile ride paces 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.
Info: (250) 352-7199; www.firstbaptist.kics.bc.ca
Cycling for Cystinosis, Sept 11-12: a 24-hour solo or relay ride near Sandpoint to raise funds for medical research.
Info: www.24hoursforhank.org
SpokeFest, Sept. 12: Spokane’s family event includes rides starting at 1 mile in Riverfront Park. New this year is a 2.5-mile loop in the park for kids, plus 9-mile and 47-mile options outside the park in addition to the original 21-mile loop through Riverside State Park. Register by Sept. 2 for discounts.
Info: spokefest.org
High Pass Challenge, Sept. 12: 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.
Info: www.cascade.org
Tour de Lacs, Sept. 18-19: Various routes range from 40-122 miles over one or two days from Spokane to Coeur d’Alene area and back. Some routes include the Centennial Trail and party-boat cruises on Lake Coeur d’Alene.
Info: www.roundandround.com
Trailquest mountain bike scavenger hunt series, Sept. 19, Oct. 10 and Nov. 7 in different Spokane Valley locations. $20.
Info: spokanetrailquest.weebly.com
Bike MS 150, Sept. 18-19, ride 150 miles in two days on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes to benefit local Multiple Sclerosis Society. Minimum donation $250.
Info: www.bikems.org
WaCanId Ride, Sept. 21-25: a rare international bicycle tour on the International Selkirk Loop, up to 340 miles or shorter segments. Start in Sandpoint, or at Creston or Nelson, British Columbia.
Info: (888) 823-2626; www.selkirkloop.org
Swan Lake Mountain Bike Festival, Sept. 25-26: Family event with clinics, kids’ courses, poker rides and more, south of Republic, Wash.
Info: (509) 775-7400; www.republicwa.com
Valleyfest Trail Ride family bike tour, Sept. 26, on the Centennial Trail starting at 10 a.m. with other festivities at Mirabeau Point Park. Choice of 6.8-, 8.8- and 15.6-mile routes. Cost: $10 or $5 for kids under 11.
Info: www.valleyfest.org
Dam2Dam Bike Tour, based in Wenatchee, canceled for 2010.
Methow Fall Bike and Film Festival, Oct. 1-3: numerous self-guided and organized rides, including a century and kids bike rodeo.
Info: www.mvsta.com
Tour de Rock Mountain Bike Ride & Rough Ride, Oct. 2, at 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort. Mountain ride begins at 11 a.m., while the Rough Ride option starts at 10 a.m. Rides start in Chewelah, up 10.2 miles of pavement, then to top of ski area, gaining total of 4,000 feet in elevation. Benefits ski patrol.
Info: (509) 937-4922 or doug@shirewood.com
Manastash Metric Century, Oct. 2: 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. Cost: $30.
Info: www.drier-ride.org
Chewelah Valley Bike Tour, Oct. 3: Ride 25 or 50 miles from Chewelah to Springdale and back via a Stevens County loop around Waitts Lake, supported by Chewelah Valley Lions Club. Sign-ups allowed up to the 10 a.m. start time in Chewelah City Park.
Info: Becky Washington, rebecca214@centurytel.net