SpokeFest

More than 1,100 cyclists wait for the start of the first SpokeFest at the Flour Mill on Sept. 7, 2008. The 21-mile community bike ride celebrated the joy of cycling in Spokane while promoting a healthy lifestyle and the enjoyment of riding with family and friends, according to organizers. (J. Bart Rayniak / The Spokesman-Review)
Riders wait for the start of SpokeFest on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. (Rich Landers / The Spokesman-Review)
Riders move through the line to register for the first SpokFest bike ride Sunday, Sept 7, 2008. About 500 of the 1200 riders registered the morning of the ride. (Larry Reisnouer / The Spokesman-Review)
Riders waited in the sun for the start of SpokFest Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008 in Riverfront Park. About 1,200 riders participated in the event's first year. (Larry Reisnouer / The Spokesman-Review)
Bill Bender, SpokeFest chairman, was still taking registrations two hours after event started Sept. 7, 2008. (Rich Landers / The Spokesman-Review)
More than 1,100 cyclists wait at the Flour Mill for the start of the first SpokeFest Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. (J. Bart Rayniak / The Spokesman-Review)
Youngsters got a chance to ride a 1-mile loop around Riverfront Park during SpokeFest on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. (Rich Landers / The Spokesman-Review)
Bikes await their riders' return at the rest stop near the entrance of Riverside State park during Sunday's SpokeFest community bike ride. (Larry Reisnouer / The Spokesman-Review)
Young riders made up a big part of the crowd at the first SpokeFest Bike Ride on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. (Rich Landers / The Spokesman-Review)
Volunteers helped riders with food and water at the rest stop near Riverside State Park on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, during SpokeFest. (Larry Reisnouer / The Spokesman-Review)
Music entertained SpokeFest riders at the water stop at the entrance to Riverside State Park on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. (Larry Reisnouer / The Spokesman-Review)
Riders cross the Monroe Street Bridge on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008 during the first SpokeFest Bike Ride. (Rich Landers / The Spokesman-Review)
Riders cross the Monroe Street Bridge on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, during the first ever SpokeFest Bike Ride. (Rich Landers / The Spokesman-Review)
SpokeFest Riders cross the Monroe Street Bridge on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. (Rich Landers / The Spokesman-Review)
SpokeFest participants rest in the sun in Riverfront Park at the end of the 22-mile ride Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. (The Spokesman-Review)
A rider rests at the end of the 22-mile SpokeFest bike ride on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. The ride started and finished in Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane. (Rich Landers / The Spokesman-Review)
Live music awaited SpokeFest riders at the finish line on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. (Rich Landers / The Spokesman-Review)
Pies from David's Pizza were one of the treats awaiting riders at the end of SpokeFest on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. (Rich Landers / The Spokesman-Review)
At the end of the 22-mile Spokfest ride there was pizza, ice cream and lots of bike talk along with music for the participants Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008. (Larry Reisnouer / The Spokesman-Review)
Spokane's inaugural SpokeFest attracted 1,255 bicyclists to a celebration of pedaling in September 2008. The second SpokeFest, set for Sept. 13, should be bigger and better, organizers say.

"We've ordered 3,000 t-shirts and waterbottles and other goodies for participants," said Bill Bender, director of the event that will kick off at 9:30 a.m. downtown on Spokane Falls Boulevard. While many riders will participate in the 21-mile tour through Riverside State Park – with food stops every seven miles! – younger riders enter a bike rodeo and make as many laps as they want around a 1-mile loop in Riverfront Park, where they will be entertained and motivated by musicians, the Rogers High School Step Team, cheerleaders, the Bubble Man and other attractions.

Registration will be accepted up to the day of the event, but preregister by Sept. 3 to avoid a late fee. Info: www.spokefest.org