Tour de Spokane? Any takers?
[Images from the 2007 Tour de Bronx]
Runners have Bloomsday, B-Ballers have Hoopfest, bicyclists have...? We think it's high time an event that is Spokane centric and specifically for bicyclists takes place. Why not a Tour de Spokane? Imagine an entire weekend day dedicated to cycling the streets of Spokane? We've talked about the need for a Ciclovia Spokane event previously, but it seems that Spokane really does well with annual events like the ones mentioned above.
Both Hoopfest and Bloomsday are huge and draw large crowds to the city for just one weekend. We have a hunch an event targeted at bicycling might have an equal amount of impact. Imagine a course that winds through the neighborhoods of Spokane on both sides of the river, or perhaps a perimeter-ride like Tuscon's el Tour de Tucson which attracted over 8,000 riders last year.
- Thoughts on Ciclovia Spokane [metrospokane]
- Tips for Ciclovia Spokane - How Bogota, Columbia does it [metrospokane]
what about the tour de lacs?
Posted by: Anonymous | March 19, 2008 at 01:48 PM
Glad you brought that up. It's a fantastic ride and a great event. Nothing showcases the beauty of our region better, however only a small percentage of the route occurs within the city of Spokane or on the city's streets.
Posted by: METROSPOKANE | March 19, 2008 at 02:42 PM
Well Mr/Mrs Metro: it's xmass time in March. Or rather, Sept. The First Annual SpokeFest is in the works as we speak. The plan as I know it right now:
Date: Sept 7th
Place: riverfront park.
Plan: a 1-2 mile family loop through the city (the organizers are working with the city to close specific streets in teh core) and a 20+ mile loop through the city and out to 7mile and back. booths; bike expo/swap; etc.
the hope/plan/idea is to make this an annual event.
Posted by: John Speare | March 19, 2008 at 03:25 PM
There was also an event called "Ride the Bridges" or something similar. It started in the slighlty seedy High Bridge Park, and took riders across bridges in Spokane. I think that most of the ride was on the Centennial trail though, rather than on city streets.
Posted by: benJAMMIN | March 19, 2008 at 04:01 PM
What about International Bike Naked Day?
Posted by: David Blaine | March 19, 2008 at 05:28 PM
"What about International Bike Naked Day?"
Ha. Awesome. Nothing would bring drivers and cyclists closer together.
Posted by: METROSPOKANE | March 20, 2008 at 09:45 AM