Like SpokeFest in the spring, the Lilac Century Bike Ride is a great way to kick off the biking season with the whole family in a fun, safe and friendly environment. The Lilac Century Bike Ride has several challenging, scenic ride lengths along the Centennial Trail, Long Lake and country roads west of Spokane, but the two shorter bike rides are the big draw for families that love to bike together. The family-friendly routes include a 15-mile ride all on the flat, paved Fish Lake Trail near downtown Spokane, meaning there are no hills to climb and parents don’t need to worry about their children riding with traffic. The 22-mile ride is suitable for kids with more biking experience and includes the same Fish Lake Trail course as the 15-mile ride with an addition of 3.2 miles along Government Way from Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC).
Longer options include a 50, 66, and 100-mile course option. The 50-mile course starts at SFCC and follows a steep ascent to the west of town before descending towards the valley. Both the 66 and 100-mile courses start along the Centennial Trail and circle Long Lake with the 100-mile course continuing to Rearden before ending at the college. All of the routes are monitored by volunteers, including technical and mechanical support provided by North Division Bicycle Shop, and healthy snacks and beverages are provided at rest stops along the way. Riders of all ages on all of the five routes come together at the end of the event at SFCC to enjoy a baked potato feed and pick up their t-shirts. All proceeds benefit local charities supported by the Spokane Aurora Northwest Rotary Club that puts on the event.
Rotary International’s motto is “service above self.” Since its founding in 1905, the organization has grown to more than 1.2 million members and over 34,000 chapters world-wide, all with the purpose of serving others less fortunate than themselves. One of eight Spokane area rotary clubs, the Spokane Aurora Northwest Rotary Club was founded in 1984 and contributes to the club’s mission of serving others with local, national, and international service projects. The Lilac Century Bike Ride is a fundraising event first suggested by club members in 1993. It has since grown to be the Spokane Aurora NW Rotary’s largest fundraising event of the year with proceeds supporting local elementary schools, rotaplast-cleft palate repair clinics, college scholarships, and more.
Read about the routes and register at Lilaccentury.com. //
