Spokane’s signature bicycling event, SpokeFest, is holding its ninth annual family-friendly community celebration of cycling this year. The fun begins on Sunday morning, September 11. Anyone who has a bike and a helmet can and should be part of this festival of chain ring tattoos — both the grease mark and the ink kind. In past years, up to 2,000 people of all ages and abilities have turned out to enjoy the simple pleasure of riding a bicycle. There are three routes to choose from: 9, 21, and 50 miles. Construction at Riverfront Park and on Pettet Drive is forcing a change in the routes. Bill Bender, SpokeFest founder and president, is pleased that Kendall Yards is hosting the start and finish. Riders will bypass Pettet and go up TJ Meenach Drive to Northwest Boulevard and then onto Belt. Unfortunately, the venue change means there will not be a 1-mile children’s ride.
What is SpokeFest celebrating? Well, you’re never too old to start riding a bike and you’re always too young to stop. It doesn’t matter if you’re on a roadie, a hand-powered bike, a commuter, a tandem, a fattie, a recumbent, a mountain bike, or a cruiser. It doesn’t matter if you have one, two, or three wheels. Come on out and listen to the wind whistle past your ears with a big smile on your face. Registration and ride information is at www.spokefest.org. (Hank Greer)
