Posted by: Steve Rapp in Scenery, Cycling on
Oct 19, 2009
Like eating a good meal, riding a bicycle can be a savory experience. Autumn in the Walla Walla Valley offers its special entrees.
The local trees and foliage provide wonderful fall colors like those of a carefully crafted meal. No need to travel to New England for postcard perfect pictures. Touring neighborhoods in and around Walla Walla from a bike can provide you with a seat at the ‘Chef's Table.'
Easy rides from town with varying mileage will take the cyclist on roads through harvested fields. Local crops include wheat, Walla Walla sweet onions and grapes. Most of the fields are freshly harvested, leaving behind pleasant aromas for the touring cyclist.
The wildlife is resplendent in the fall. White tail and mule deer are common. Practiced eyes can spot owls and other raptors. Coyotes, fox and even black bear are occasional sitings.
Posted by: Steve Rapp in Scenery, Cycling on
Jul 27, 2009
I love riding my bicycle in the Walla Walla area this time of year. Well, I love it any time of year, but early to mid summer has its special treats.
The views of the Valley are spectacular. The wheatfields are turning from green to golden, offering splendid contrasts. Wind sometimes blows the crops, gracing the eyes with waves unique to our inland wonderland.
There are some great rides to catch these sights. If you go up Mill Creek Road to Scenic Loop Road (about 12 miles from town), and turn right towards the top, you can see Walla Walla, Milton-Freewater and the surroundings. Scenic Loop is a gravel road, so a cyclocross bike is the best option. Mountain bikes are good, too, though less efficient on the asphalt.
This time of year is nice before the farmers have harvested their crops and tilled the stubble under. The Valley can get hazy after the soil has been tilled, exposing the dry dirt to the wind.
The Mill Creek and Scenic Loop route is an out-and-back ride now, because one of the roads that completes the loop is closed for upgrades. So the best place to turn around is at the top, or wherever you choose for your last viewing spot.
Posted by: Steve Rapp in Cycling on
Apr 20, 2009
The gods were angry in 2005. At least at bicycle racers. Races proceed almost regardless of conditions.
But four years ago, a lightening storm passed through and forced us to cancel one stage of the 3-stage Tour of Walla Walla. The race has generally been fortunate with good weather over the years. That year lightening was striking on the hill between Middle Waitsburg Road and Highway 12 a couple miles south of Waitsburg just as several groups were approaching the town.
For the safety of the riders and volunteers, the race was halted, and everyone was told to go to Waitsburg. A couple groups had already passed through town and were climbing the hill. Others were still approaching town.
For cover and to get warm, riders went to the local fire station, the grocery store, the hardware store, or wherever they could find some floor space to sit down. Firemen pulled out their fire coats to help the wet and chilled cyclists warm up. The grocery store gave them coffee and hot chocolate. None of the racers had a dime- they are racing, after all- but no worry.
We waited for what seemed like an eternity for the storm to pass so we could continue the race. But the storm seemed to like that hill, and it stayed put, striking within yards of the road.
Posted by: Steve Rapp in Cycling on
Mar 02, 2009
The 13th annual Tour of Walla Walla bicycle race is approaching, and event organizers are in high gear planning mode. Four stages will be contested over three days from April 17 to 19.
The race has become a major community event. Five hundred lycra-clad racers and their entourages converge on Walla Walla from all over the northwest. Though riders come from all over the U.S. and even the world, the majority are from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana or British Columbia.
The downtown "criterium" is a popular spectator event. The riders circle around a one-mile loop multiple times for a set amount of time. It's fast and furious, requiring superb bike handling skills in a tight fluid pack. This year the crit as racers call it will be Saturday night under lights, lending added excitement for racers and spectators alike.
Participants are divided into groups by experience, ability and gender. Race distances vary by group.
