Briefs: Bicycling and rural tourism program in Pullman
BICYCLING – A program on the benefits of bicycling to rural tourism will be presented on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Banyons on the Ridge (golf course) in Pullman.
Russ Roca and Laura Crawford of the Path Less Pedaled, world cyclo-tourists and consultants for Travel Oregon to market and promote the state’s bicycle tourism assets, will present the program, sponsored in part by the Pullman Chamber of Commerce.
“Path Less Pedaled works with communities and tourism agencies to help develop and market cycling destinations,” said Rich Wesson of Pullman Civic Trust.
Roca and Crawford are on their way to Missoula to be featured speakers for the Montana Bicycle Celebration sponsored by the Adventure Cycling Association.
The Inland Northwest already has success stories that form a basis for growth in bicycle tourism, Wesson said. For example:
- The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes generated $14 million in spending on lodging, fuel, food, equipment and incidental purchase by trail users, the trails friends group reported in 2015.
- The Historic Columbia River Gorge Highway trail generates $900,000 in tax revenues a year and contributes $21 million to the economies of Troutdale, Cascade Locks, The Dalles and Hood River, according to a 2014 report.
Pullman-area groups are looking into the possibility of transforming a 19-mile, state-owned railway planned for abandonment into a trail between Pullman and Colfax.
Info: Rich Wesson, (509) 334-3565.
Bike event for tots Saturday
BICYCLING – Budding cyclists, some still in diapers, are gearing up for the Strider Cup Race on Saturday off Howard Street in Riverfront Park.
The Spokane race is the final of three events in the national Strider Cup racing series, where toddlers scoot on small, pedalless bikes around cones and over ramps as they navigate obstacles along the course.
The family-friendly day includes a Strider Adventure Zone (Ride and Play Area) with kids test riding Strider Bikes.
The event runs 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Races start at 9 a.m. with a special needs race at 12:30.
Hikes introduce Dishman Hills
TRAILS – Volunteers are leading a series of hosted summer hikes to introduce newcomers to the different units of the Dishman Hills Conservation Area in Spokane Valley.
Register online at dishmanhills.org
The remaining events include:
- July 6: Trail Host at Iller Creek Trailhead, 9:30 a.m.
- July 10: Hike and Sketch, 9:00 a.m.
- July 12: Geology for Kids Hike at Camp Caro with Michael Hamilton, 10 a.m.
- July 16: Trail Host at Stevens Creek Trail Head, 9 a.m.
- July 20: Introduction to Camp Caro Hike for Beginners, 10 a.m.
- July 26: Butterfly Walk in the Dishman Hills – Iller Creek Trailhead, 8:30 a.m.
- Aug. 4: Dishman Hills Conservancy Picnic at Camp Caro, 6 p.m.
- Aug. 3, 10 and 17: Family Friendly Hikes, 9 a.m.