BICYCLING -- The 8th annual SpokeFest starting from downtown Spokane on Sunday was another huge success on the progression of cycling as a mainstream activity around the area, with 1,650 riders pedaling the 50-mile, 21-mile, 9-mile or 1-mile courses.
But SpokeFest is just the beginning of a great late-summer and fall schedule of organized rides detailed in The S-R's 2015 Northwest Bicycling Events Calendar .
Seven top picks from a busy field of upcoming bicycling events options are:
Kidical Massive , Sept. 19: Safe Spokane bike ride for kids on 3-mile, vehicle-free course starting and ending at Kendall Yards with activities; part of a global event that puts kids on bikes all over the world. 1 p.m. Free.
Blazing Saddles Bike Ride , Sept. 19: Combines 20, 40, 65 and 100-mile cycling routes out of Colville, Wash., with the Northwest International Chili Cook-Off and beer garden. Sponsored by Rotary Club. $60-$70. (kids under 10 free), includes t-shirt and entry to chili festival.
RIM Ride , Sept. 19-20: Rotary In Motion Family Fun Ride based from Liberty Lake, Wash., starts with 5 mile family ride on Saturday, then 15, 25, 50 or 100 miles rides on Sunday finishing with lunch and beer garden. $15-$60.
Rotary Rivers & Ridges Ride , Sept. 26: Ride 15, 50 or 100 miles from Clarkston, Wash., area, with a Riverfest event. $20-$50.
Coeur d’Fondo , Sept. 26: The 4th annual Gran Fondo style timed event begins and ends in Coeur d’Alene with competitive and non-competitive options. Choice of five distances: 15, 37, 47, 84 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. $15 for family ride, $85 for others.
Centennial Trail Family Bike Ride , Sept. 27: Family bike tour on the Centennial Trail starting at noon with other festivities at Mirabeau Point Park. Choice of 6.8-, 8.8- and 15.6-mile routes. $15 or $5 for kids under 11.
Tour de Rock Mountain Bike Ride & Rough Ride , Oct. 3: 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 49 Degrees North Winter Sports Foundation. Info: (509) 937-4922 or nordic@ski49n.com.
By the way...
The multi-day WaCanId Ride started Monday and will continue through the week. Riders with foresight who signed up in advance will enjoy a unique ride that samples two countries including two states and southern British Columbia.
The six-day tour follows the International Selkirk Loop, a 350 mile route through Washington, Canada and Idaho.
The ride starts in Sandpoint with the group of riders from across the U.S. and Canada traveling the loop clockwise, averaging 70 miles a day. The tour includes stops in Ione, Trail, Nelson (including a layover day), and then Creston before finishing in Sandpoint on Saturday.
