Miles to go before they sleep: Bikers pick a ride and go

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February 18, 1999

Miles to go before they sleep: Bikers pick a ride and go

By GREG JOHNSTON
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

Caravans of spokes and pedals head north, south and east. They cross hill, dale and the state. They spawn romance and marriage, probably divorce, and attract riders from far and wide.

The caravans are participating in the six annual rides conducted by the Cascade Bicycle Club. The biggest and best-known is the 200-mile Seattle-to-Portland Bicycle Classic, or "STP."

This summer's "STP" marks its 20th running, an annual streak interrupted only by the eruption of Mount St. Helens in May 1980.

With anywhere from 8,700 to 10,000 riders, "STP" is considered one of the 10 biggest recreational bicycle rides in the country, drawing riders from across the nation and from other nations.

It has helped put Seattle on the national cycling map and is consistently cited as one factor in Bicycle magazine's annual ranking of Seattle as one of the top 10 bicycling cities in America.

"'STP' has helped the cycling community grow and the cycling community has helped STP grow," says David Robinson, events coordinator for the Cascade Bicycle Club.

Once past Puget Sound, the STP route weaves through rural areas of southwest Washington. Most riders do "STP" in two days, overnighting in Centralia or nearby small towns and providing those communities with an economic boost.

Strong riders complete "STP" in a day.

However long they take, riders wear the annual "STP" jacket as a badge of cycling honor long after the race has ended.

And not only around here.

"We've had reports of people traveling in Europe and seeing an 'STP' jacket," notes Robinson.

"STP," however, is not the oldest club ride. This year's Chilly Hilly ride on Bainbridge Island later this month will be the 27th.

"It is known for its hills and for the sometimes cool weather," says Robinson. "And it opens our cycling season. We have people come from Portland, Eugene and Vancouver, B.C., for Chilly Hilly."

It was started by riders on Bainbridge -- four times around the island for 100 miles. Now sponsored by the club, the route varies year to year but ranges from 28 to 33 miles.

In June, many riders will tune up for "STP" by riding the Flying Wheels Summer Century, which begins in Redmond and is run over loops of 20, 60 and 100 miles. "It's always about two weeks before 'STP' and is the official training ride for 'STP,'" Robinson says.

"RSVP" -- or the Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party -- began in 1982 and once included a ride home on the ferry Princess Marguerite. Longtime riders tell stories of raucous bar scenes aboard the Marguerite.

"That's where the party came in," Robinson says. "Riders packed the bars. We actually had people who met on the ride and ultimately got married."

In recent years, "RSVP" riders have returned via buses and trucks after the 187-mile ride.

The club's newest event is the Ride Around Washington, or "RAW," which was organized at the urging of club members who wanted an official tour-type ride. Over six days, 300 riders will travel 450 miles and cross Washington Pass on state Route 20, the North Cascades Highway.

The scenery will be stupendous, but the ride strenuous. It will cost each rider $400, but that includes three meals a day, showers, camping spots, the support of trucks carrying gear and nightly entertainment.

The final ride on the Cascade Bicycle Club calendar is the Kitsap Color Classic in early October. This year's will be the seventh classic in the Kitsap Peninsula.

"It's kind of the closing of the cycling season, much more low-key and a beautiful fall ride on great cycling roads," Robinson says.

You can sign up for all club rides at the 11th Annual Greater Seattle Bicycle Expo, tomorrow through Sunday at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall, the Mercer Forum and Mercer Arena.
The expo will include a range of clinics and seminars, exhibits by bike manufacturers and booths by local shops, featured speakers and a test ride track.
Hours are 4 to 8 p.m. tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for under age 16 and over 65.