Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Popular spring and summer bike rides sell out

Tom Kearney climbs the long Baltimore Road hill out of Hangman Valley during his 25-mile training ride in March of 2009. (File)

Bicyclists can relax until spring before planning most of their 2014 cycling season. But the following popular spring and summer rides sell out so quickly, you have to be planning and making your application now.

Chilly Hilly: Feb. 23, traditionally the region’s first notable cycling events of the season. The 41st annual event starts with an early-morning ferry ride from Seattle before unleashing cyclists on a 33-mile route around Bainbridge Island that bags 2,675 feet of cumulative elevation. Organized by the Cascade Bicycle Club, registration for nonmembers opens Tuesday; cascade.org.

RATPOD: Ride Around the Pioneers in One Day, June 28, a one-day, 130-mile ride from Dillon, Mont., through the Big Hole Valley of southwestern Montana, along wilderness areas and above the Big Hole River, to benefit Camp Mak-A-Dream. Online registration opens March 4 at 8 a.m. MST until the cap of 650 riders is reached; ratpod.org.

STP: Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic, July 12-13, the largest multiday bicycle event in the Northwest, has riders pedaling 200 miles from Seattle to Portland in one or two days. Registration opened Jan. 14 for Cascade Bicycle Club members; it opens Tuesday for nonmembers. The 10,000-rider limit is likely to be reached before Feb. 20; cascade.org.

STOKR: Scenic Tour of the Kootenai River, May 10-11, has ride-length options ranging from 37 to 98 miles each day along the Kootenai River and Lake Koocanusa out of Libby, Mont., to benefit Habitat for Humanity. Registration open Feb. 14-28 for the lottery drawing to select 400 riders; libbymt.com/events.

Cycle Oregon: Sept. 6-13, billed as “the best bike ride in America,” the ultra-supported tour moves to a different route each year supported by local communities. A spin-off weekend event is set for July 11-13. The 2014 routes will be announced Wednesday and registration will open Thursday. Fills quickly; cycleoregon.com.

WaCanId Ride: Sept. 15-20, the annual international tour on paved roads encircling the Selkirk Mountains of Washington, Canada and Idaho. The six-day event covers 350 miles, North America’s longest free ferry ride and includes sag support and the services of seven Rotary Clubs. Space limited; (888) 823-2626, www.wacanid.org.