The Big Ride Tomorrow

The Spokefest 2010 registration and packet pick-up at Mountain Gear this afternoon was a hectic 3-1/2 hours for the volunteers. That's a good thing. When we finished at 6:00 pm the count stood at over 1700 registered people. Tomorrow's weather looks promising so hopefully a good number of last minute registrations will occur. It would be great to hit 2000.

One gentleman I met is here for his third Spokefest. He lives in Cleveland, Ohio. You know you're doing something right if you can get someone to come here from Cleveland every year.

For those of you doing the ride, you'll meet Bill Bender at the finish line where he tries to give every rider a high five. Give him the high five and tell him thanks for making Spokefest happen.

Spokefest 2010

Spokefest 2010 is coming up on September 12. This is the third year and it's a wonderful event for all ages. The organizers have added two other routes, a 9-mile loop and a 47-miler for you hard core types that can't get enough time in the saddle, to go along with the park loop for the little ones and the original 21-mile route. Register online or by mail before Sep 2 to void the late fee.

Here are some scenes from Spokefest 2009. I think Bill Bender greeted and high-fived nearly every rider at the finish.

Get your bike on!

We got a lot goin’ on, Spokane!

It’s starting to add up. Think about the Spokane cycling calendar now (more info and links to ride-specific sites can be found on the Bike to Work events page).

April: Bike racing season starts with Frozen Flatlands and the Twilight Series organized by Baddlands and the new Ronde Van Palouse put on by Spokane Rocket Velo. Registration opens (soon!) for Bike to Work Week. Traffic skills courses will get you ready to roll if you’re not already used to riding in traffic. A first-ever Bike Shop Swap will be held on Spokane’s Earth Day April 17, and the Lilac Century kicks off the recreational long-ride-with-snacks-and-schwag season.

May: Bike to Work Week 2010 May 16-22 is organized to encourage people to ride bikes not only to/from work but for (fun) transportation in general. Racing season continues. Bike to Work Commute Challenge starts that week and will be extended to run four weeks this year.

June: Commute Challenge results announced. Bike to Work Spokane is putting together some kind of picnic location so we can get together with friends, family and fellow cyclists—hanging out and eating is always the biggest draw at BTW events. On the racing front, the state senior road race and criterium masters’ championships will be held in Cheney this year and the Twilight Series continues.

July: The first Spokane Summer Parkway (our version of Ciclovia) will be held July 11, with Howard Street starting in downtown and heading north a ways closed to vehicular traffic and turned over to people-powered movement. Recreational rides and racing continue.

August: The second Spokane Summer Parkway will be held August 22. Recreational rides and racing continue.

September: SpokeFest—the ride for everyone! Riding, riding and more riding including the classic Tour des Lacs, kids’ races organized by Emde Sports, and more.

October:  Cyclocross racing begins.

November: Cyclocross racing continues.

Gosh, if we just put together a few rides in December, January, February and March we’d have the calendar filled year round. Oh, wait-- come to think of it, those Full Moon Fiasco folks over at The FBC Spokane have us covered there.

Check the calendar and let us know what’s missing. And don't tell us there isn't much cycling stuff happening in Spokane.