2013 Northwest Bicycling Events: Expanded list

UPDATED Aug. 2, 2013. Following is The Spokesman-Review’s 2013 Bicycling Calendar, the 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.

• The S-R’s ‘you snooze, you lose’ story posted in January listed several of the most popular summer events that require applicants to be on the ball during winter.

  February

  Chilly Hilly, Feb. 24: Kicking off the cycling season for 40 years, 33-mile route around Bainbridge Island attracts about 6,000 riders. About $30 with ferry fare.

  March

  Gran Fondo Ephrata, March 10: Ride 80 miles on mixed surface roads out of Ephrata, Wash. One of three events in Gran Fondo Triple series. $65.

  April

  Spokane Bike Swap, April 13-14: Buy or sell used bikes at Spokane County Fair and Expo Center; benefits Friends of the Centennial Trail. $5 entry, kids under 13 free. Daffodil Classic, April 14: Ride 40, 60 or 100-mile loops in the Orting Valley southeast of Tacoma; treats finishers with strawberry shortcake, sponsored by Tacoma Wheelmen’s Bicycle Club. $30. Northwest Crank, April 18-21: Choice of at least two rides each day around Wenatchee area, including a RUSA Brevet (challenging ride with time limits at point stations). Sponsored by Seattle International Randonneurs. $100 for four days and banquet, or $25 daily. Lilac Century and Family Fun Ride, April 28: Ride 15, 25, 50, 66 or 100 miles starting at Spokane Falls Community College, with food stops and baked potato at the finish. (Also note the 5K and duathlon opportunity.) Sponsored by Aurora Northwest Rotary. Email: lilaccentury@gmail.com. $40-$50. Register in advance for discount, but event accepts same-day entries.

  May

  Tour de Frog, May 4: Choose from 25, 50, 75 or 100-mile courses through Walla Walla Valley wheatland and wine country. Sponsored by Eastern Oregon Sports Training. $35-$50. Seattle Brews Cruise, May 5: A new urban ride exploring Seattle breweries, with routes of 16, 30 or 45 miles, sponsored by Cascade Bicycle Club. Limited to 500 riders. $35. Ride of Silence , May 10: Spokane Valley’s event one of hundreds around the world for 10th anniversary commemorating cyclists killed in traffic. Loosely organized, it starts at 6 p.m. and runs 3-6 miles. Meet at Riverfront Park along Spokane Falls Boulevard near runner statues. Inland Empire Century, May 11: 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. $10-$50. Skagit Spring Classic, May 11: Skagit Bicycle Club’s 23rd annual event plans new routes this year ranging from 25 to 100 miles between Burlington and Bellingham. $35. STOKR, May 11-12: Ride 82 or 135 miles in two days in the Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River based out of Libby, Mont. Limit of 400 riders filled by lottery. Applications available in February. Bike to Work Week, May 13-19: About 1,500 cyclists participate in Spokane’s bike commuting event, which kicks off with a free bike commuter breakfast and other activities. Upper Columbia River Bike & Run, May 18: Family friendly fitness event at Northport, Wash., featuring fun runs and the flagship 10-mile bike ride followed by 2-mile run. $5-$15. TOSRV-West, May 18-19: The 43rd annual Tour of the Swan River Valley follows the original two-day, 226-mile loop from Missoula to Bigfork, returning along Flathead Lake to Missoula, with great food stops. Limited to 200 riders (down from 300 in 2012). $105 plus Missoula Bicycle Club membership. Spokane Tour de Cure, May 19: Choose from a family route or go 20, 50 or 100 miles, based at Dwight Merkel Sports Complex in Spokane; benefits diabetes research. $150 fund-raising minimum. Century Ride of the Centuries, May 25-27: Three days of fully supported riding and meals with new route options each day through Eastern Oregon farmlands near Pendleton and Blue Mountains. Limited to 275 riders. $195. R7 Hills of Kirkland, May 27: A 40-mile “seven hills” route, a 62-mile metric century or a 100 miler from urban to rural roads on a low-traffic holiday. $30-60 with early registration discounts.

  June

  Apple Century, June 1: Routes are 25, 50 or 100 miles in the 26th annual event starting from Walla Walla Point Park in Wenatchee. By Wenatchee Sunrise Rotary; about 900 riders. $65. 3 Rivers Race, June 1: Ride 55, 75 or 100-mile routes (also running options) based in La Grande, Ore., through Grande Ronde Valley. Benefits fight against domestic violence. Includes poker run for prizes. $50 minimum pledge. Pedal Around a Glacier, eh!, June 1-2: 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. Event cancelled if minimum sign-up not achieved by April 1. $95. Flying Wheels Summer Century, June 8: 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. Bicycle Poker Run, June 9: Third annual event 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. Ann Weatherill Cycling Classic, June 15: 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 15: Based out of Chief Timothy Park near Clarkston, the 33rd annual 18-mile ride climbs 2,000 feet up the Lewiston Grade via the Old Spiral Highway. Organized by Clarkston High School Band. $25-35. Loreen Miller Bike Ride, June 15: 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. $25-$50. Rock and Ride Through George, Wash., June 15: The 8th annual event features 10, 30, 70 or 100-mile courses based out of George Community Hall, coordinated with post-ride Parties on the Green celebration in Quincy. $30-35. Spokane Summer Parkways, June 19 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. 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 Fuller Center for Housing. Cannonball, June 22: A one-day ultra endurance ride totaling 276 miles mostly on I-90. Attracts a small field of top riders, but still considered an easier version of the July 6 S2S ride between Seattle and Spokane via U.S. 2. Entrants must join the Redmond Cycling Club. $20. Lake Chelan Century Challenge, June 22: 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. $55. Mazama Ride, June 22-23: runs 75 miles each day on North Cascades Highway from Marblemount to Mazama for the overnight and back. $140-$190. Tour de Hood, June 22-23: Tour follows Mount Hood Cycling Classic race in Columbia Gorge near Hood River, Ore., 42 miles first day, 44 or 72 miles second day. Sponsored by Oregon Bicycle Racing Association. $50-$100. Gran Fondo Leavenworth, June 23: Ride 87 miles on mixed surface roads out of Leavenworth, Wash. Second of three events in Gran Fondo Triple series. $65. GGG Wild West Cycling Tour, June 28-30: Women-only ride, 85 miles in three days out of Winthrop, Wash.; route scales Washington, Rainy and Loup Loup passes. Women only. Sponsored by Go Get It Gal. $175. RATPOD, Ride Around the Pioneers in One Day, June 29: Ride 130 miles through Pioneer mountains out of Dillon, Mont. Rider quota usually fills by March, but waiting list is maintained. $100. Bite the Bullet Tour, June 30: Details not available for 2013. Loosely organized by Twin River Cyclists (Lewiston-Moscow area).

  July

  Northwest Tandem Rally, Bellingham, July 5-6, CANCELED. Gran Fondo Kootenai, July 6-7: Ride 76 miles from Libby to Eureka, Mont., and return on a 98 mile route with plenty of elevation gain the next day. Cyclocross wheels recommended for 1.5 mile gravel section. Fully supported. Benefits Kiwanis-Lions programs. $125 (more after June 15). Seattle 2 Spokane, July 6: One-day ultra endurance ride totaling 284 miles and 12,000 feet of climbing, mostly on U.S. 2. S2S considered tougher version of the June 22 Cannonball ride between Seattle and Spokane via I-90. Redmond Cycling Club membership required. $20. Huckleberry Ride, July 7 (Not confirmed for 2013): Loosely organized by Twin River Cyclists (Lewiston-Moscow area), the ride starts in Deary City Park at 9 a.m. and runs 54 miles to Elk River and back. Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic, July 13-14: STP goes 200 miles, fully supported. Largest of 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 and Feb. 14 this year.) One Helena Hundred, July 13: Ride 63 miles along Missouri River from Cascade to Wolf creek and back, sponsored by Helena Bicycle Club. $55. RedSpoke, July 17-21: Fully supported 26th annual 300-mile tour from Redmond to Spokane, sponsored by Redmond Rotary. $75 plus $675 minimum in pledges. CHaFE 150 Bike Ride, July 20: a 150-mile loop, timed Gran Fondo, with five food stops from Sandpoint, through Troy and Bonners Ferry and back. Benefits autism programs in local school district, sponsored by Sandpoint Rotary. Limited to 500 riders. Team options. $75 (plus $50 pledge requirement). Spoke-d’Alene Purple Ride and picnic, CANCELED. Jedermann Gran Fondo, July 20: Timed recreational ride with three distances for 2nd annual event — 30, 66, 112 miles, based out of Cheney, organized by Emde Sports. Supported, cool finisher medals, post ride BBQ and beer garden. $25-$80. 50 Miles at the Pass, July 21: 3rd annual mountain biking event at 4th of July Pass east of Coeur d’Alene. Gran Fondo format, a timed recreational ride, includes routes of 10, 17, 35 and 50 miles. Benefits Lake City Trailbuilder’s Association. Post ride BBQ. Info: (208) 667-8969. 4 Summit Challenge, July 27: Ride 30, 50, 60 or 75-mile routes and up to four cool mountain summits from Cascade, Idaho, to Landmark and back. Field limited to 750. Registration closes July 23. Led by Olympian Kristin Armstrong; supports local charities. $50-$75. Spokane Valley Cycle Celebration, July 28: Ride 10, 25 or 50-mile routes based from Mirabeau Meadows Park in Spokane Valley, with food stops sponsored by ValleyFest organizers. $10, $20 for family.

  August

  Double Divide Ride, Aug. 3-4: Sponsored by Helena (Mont.) Bicycle Club, goes 129 miles in two days crossing Continental Divide twice, (75 miles first day, 54 miles second day) through rolling hills, valleys and challenging MacDonald and Flesher passes. $100. Ride Around Washington , by Cascade Bicycle Club, Aug. 3-10: 15th annual RAW goes from Curlew Lake State Park to Maryhill State Park on the Columbia River Gorge, 439-mile fully supported tour. Limited to 250 riders. $989. Ride Idaho, Aug. 4-10: annual seven-day, fully supported, 400-mile bicycle tour that moves to different region of the state. 2013 route starts and finishes in Coeur d’Alene, including Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, Clark Fork River valley and Sandpoint. Organized by non-profit group of cyclists. Limit: 350 riders. $735. Eight Lakes Leg Aches, Aug. 3: Ride 15-, 30-, 45-, and 75-mile routes, starting from Spokane’s Sunset Hill and out around lakes in Spokane County with about 800 riders to benefit Sexual Assault and Family Trauma Response Center. $45. Info: (509) 343-5020. Courage Classic, Aug. 3-5: Ride 172 miles in three days over three mountain passes – Stevens, Blewett, Snoqualmie. Sponsored by Multicare Hospital. Limited to 700 riders. $750 in pledges minimum. Gran Fondo Winthrop, Aug. 4: Ride 80 miles on mixed surface roads out of Winthrop, Wash. Last of three events in Gran Fondo Triple series. $65. Le Tour de Koocanusa, Aug. 10: From Libby, Mont., ride 83 miles along Lake Koocanusa in 3rd annual event by David Thompson Search and Rescue. Coincides with annual Riverfront Blues Festival. $60. Tour de Lentil metric century, Aug. 17: has 50K and 100K courses with pit stops through rolling Palouse hills based out of Pullman. Post ride BBQ. Email: cycling@wsu.edu. $35. White Pine Pedal Mettle, Aug. 17: St. Maries Idaho community bike ride with routes of 16, 30, 42, 62 and 111 miles. (208) 582-0520; email tommillermn@hotmail.com. $10-$30 plus $10 for dinner. Conquer Schweitzer, Aug. 18: Timed gran fondo hill climb to Schweitzer Mountain Resort, 8.5 miles with 2,600 feet elevation gain. (208) 263-6959. Post ride BBQ. $35-$40.

  September

  Great Northwest Fall Tour , Sept. 1: Ride 15, 30, 50 or 85-mile routes beginning at Newport City Park. Benefits Newport/Priest River Rotary Club. $25 ($50 per family). Labor Day Tandem Rally and Bike Ride, Sept. 2: Loosely organized for 61 years by the Spokane Bicycle Club. Check website for updates. No fee. SpokeFest Sept. 8: Spokane event attracts 2,000 participants, families as well as serious riders; 6th annual event has four tour options: a 1-miler kid-ride and rodeo 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-miler extending Classic Loop into the Four Mounds area. Music at finish. $8-$20. High Pass Challenge, Sept. 8: 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. 14-15: ride 150 miles in two days or 84 miles in one day on Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes to benefit local Multiple Sclerosis. Minimum donation $250. Kootenai River Ride, Sept. 14: Ride 16, 60 or 100 kilometers near Kootenai River out of Bonners Ferry fairgrounds supported by Rotarians, followed by baked potato feed. $20. Huckleberry 100, Sept. 14: Chose from short family ride or longer courses of 25, 50 or 100 miles from downtown Kalispell through region between Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park. Sponsored by Fresh Life Radio and local businesses. $25-$55 depending on course and date of registration. Mica Peak Century Plus, (Not yet confirmed): 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. 15: Rotary In Motion Family Fun Ride starts and finishes in Liberty Lake with rides of 5, 15, 25, 50 or 100 miles; finishes with Quizno’s lunch. $15-$45 with family discounts. WaCanId Ride, Sept. 16-21: Rare international bicycle tour on the Selkirk Loop; 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. $495, includes jersey. Blazing Saddles Bike Ride, Sept. 21: First annual event combines 40, 62 and 100-mile cycling routes out of Colville, Wash., with the Northwest International Chili Cook-Off. Sponsored by Rotary Club. $25-$50, includes t-shirt and entry to chili festival. Ride the ROC, Sept. 21: Ride 50 or 100 miles through sage-steppe via Omak,Wash., Conconully and Riverside. Sponsored by Omak Kiwanis. $45-$55. Tour de Blast, Sept. 21: attracts 1,400 riders to national monument roads in Mount St. Helens volcanic blast zone. Routes cover 33, 54 or 82 miles, with longest tackling 6,240 in elevation gain to fantastic views. Sponsored by Longview Rotary. $65 includes shirt and pasta feed. Tour de Rock Mountain Bike Ride & Rough Ride , Sept. 22: At 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort. Choose from at least three ride, including a fun mountain bike ride at resort or challenging climb 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. Valleyfest Trail Ride, Sept. 22: 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. Apple Valley Kiwanis Wine Country Trek, Sept. 28-29: Ride 120 miles in two days through the Yakima Valley between Moxee and Prosser visiting wineries. Fully supported with meals; camping indoors or out. $75-$135. Swan Lake Mountain Bike Festival, (Not yet scheduled): Free family event with clinics, kids’ courses, women’s ride, poker rides, Dutch oven cooking and more, south of Republic, Wash. Camping available. Co-sponsored by Spokane Parks and Recreation and Republic Ranger District. Info: ( 509 ) 775-3305. Coeur d’Fondo, Sept. 28: The 2nd annual Gran Fondo style timed event begins and ens in Coeur d’Alene with competitive and non-competitive options. Choice of five distances this year: 15, 37, 47, 85 or 108 miles. Riders end with entry to Oktoberfest. Course features Lake Coeur d’Alene and Idaho’s Highway 97 Scenic Byway through Harrison and St. Maries. Shorter ride participants board a partyboat back to Coeur d’Alene from Harrison (Riders on new 47-mile ride board boat to start at Harrison). Sponsored by Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation. $10 for family ride, $75 for others.

  October

  Cycle for Life, Oct. 5: Cystic Fibrosis fundraiser starting in Spokane’s Browne’s Addition. Ride 30 or 65 miles on 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. Manastash Metric Century, Oct. 5: includes 50-mile or 62-mile options along the Yakima River from Ellensburg to Cle Elum and back. $30. Chewelah Valley Lions Fall Half-Century Bike Tour, Oct. 6: 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 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.