Walla Walla Tour Lite
Sept. 30 - Oct. 2 , 2022
Registration
Online Registration Pricing
REGISTRATION ENTRY DATE PREMIUM MEMBER Member June 7 - September 25, 2022 $150 Non-member June 7 - September 25, 2022 $170 Youth -- $40
- Registration closes at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 25.
- No day-of-event registration. Register online.
Rider limit: 150
Tour leader: Cascade Bicycle Club
Note: Accommodations organized by participants
Overview
Come join us for a weekend of riding around beautiful Walla Walla. Experience farm country like never before! You will love the diversity of scenery -- from wheat to wine, experience this unique SE Washington community! This will be a fun way to end your cycling season and enjoy nice weather after it turns rainy west of the Cascades. We do a group start in the morning, but riders will ride at their preferred pace and may select long or short routes each day.
Rides each day will start at various wineries and breweries around the town of Walla Walla. You are not required to ride each day. The charge per rider for the weekend is for three days of ride support and festivities - choose to participate as convenient for you. Accommodations, breakfast, and dinner are for riders to organize themselves, but post-ride activities will be planned Friday and Saturday. Lunch is provided on the route. Stay a while and socialize and enjoy the Walla Walla sun.
Biking in Walla Walla
There are several things riders should keep in mind and prepare for before departing for Walla Walla.
- Goat's head seeds are present. Like a tiny caltrops, these seeds can puncture tires. Consider these preventative measure from Bike Wenatchee.
- Cell service may be spotty or non-existent along some parts of the route. Learn how to fix a flat, carry a flat kit, and know that there may be some wait time before the SAG vehicle reaches you.
- Signage for some streets, roads, or highways may be non-existent on some stretches. Watch your mileage and have a back-up plan if you're using GPS navigation.
Itinerary
Ride with GPS maps
Cue Sheets
Available at the morning meeting at the start location.
All routes are marked with "Dan Henry" navigational markings in bright neon pink on the road.
Morning Debrief
Each day begins with a morning briefing at 8:30 a.m., where riders will get full details about the route, potential hazards or detours, and more.
Day 1: Frenchtown – Milton-Freewater – Gardena Loop / 52 miles / 1650’ (short route: 38 miles / 1440’)
Course hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Briefing at 8:30 a.m.
We will start from Cougar Crest Estate Winery in Frenchtown, west of downtown Walla Walla. After a quick visit to the Whitman Mission National Historic Site, we work our way south through several small communities to Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Skirting through downtown we climb our 1000’ hill for the day, then swoop back down and north to lunch stop in Umapine.
Lunch will be provided. There are plenty of food options ahead of time in Milton-Freewater as well. Short route heads north from Umapine while the full ride loops west through Gardena, Lowden and up Dry Creek before dropping back to the winery for beverages and refreshments. This route will feature a nice mix of vineyards, orchards, and wheat fields.
Day 2: Walla Walla - Waitsburg - Sudbury Loop / 56 miles / 2545’ (short route: 43 miles / 2188’)
Course hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Briefing at 8:30 a.m.
This is a classic Walla Walla favorite. We’ll start at Quirk Brewing and head to Waitsburg, where lunch is served before the big climb back out Lower Waitsburg Road. Riders can cruise on to Sudbury if the conditions are favorable. For those who want fewer miles, continuing south on Lower Waitsburg makes for a nice 13-mile shortcut to the ride. Long-loopers wend their way from the west end clear through downtown Walla Walla and Whitman College before picking up the Mill Race Trail.
We will enjoy brews and refreshments at Quirk when we return.
Day 3: Walla Walla East Loop / 42.5 miles / 2066’ (short route: 34 miles / 1379’)
Course hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Briefing at 8:30 a.m.
Today’s ride will start from Castillo de Feliciana just on the Oregon side of the state line. We slip a little farther south before turning east for a nice jaunt around the wheat fields southeast of Walla Walla proper. Riders needing a vigorous challenge can climb up and over Scenic Loop Rd (another locals’ favorite, but 2.5 miles of less-paved hardpack and gravel at the top) to meet Mill Creek (and full pavement) at Thomas for a beautiful downhill cruise. Less adventuresome pedalers can cut mileage (and rough road) by meeting Mill Creek below Tracy.
Everyone enjoys Lunch at Rooks Park before cruising along the Mill Creek Trail back into Walla Walla. Skirting the east edge of town returns us to the beautiful wine country for our last day’s final miles back to Castillo de Feliciana.
Support
Call the rider support line at (206) 841-9665 on the day of the event to be connected to the support team.
SAG Vehicles
Two or more support-and-gear (SAG) vehicles will be present on the course. These vehicles are staffed with drivers who may be able to help with standard mechanical issues or flat tires and can help transport you and your bike to a local shop for more technical fixes. SAG vehicle drivers will respond to support calls during course hours.
Mechanical Support
Fix-a-flat kits are available at all lunch stops. SAG drivers can assist with minor repairs, but will transport riders to local bike shops for larger issues.
Rest Stops
All routes will have a staffed lunch stop, with sandwiches, snacks, and fresh fruit available. Bathrooms are marked on the RWGPS maps. Additional unstaffed water stops with a small selection of snacks will be made available for longer routes.
What to Expect
WEATHER
Days are likely be mild, but you should also be prepared for both rain and cooler temperatures. Layers are best as mornings will be crisp but days are likely to be warm. Average highs for October are in the 60s, with average lows in the 40s (Fahrenheit).
MEALS
Meals are on your own. Lunch and drinks will be provided at the mid point of the ride on Friday and Saturday and post-ride snacks will be provided Friday and Saturday.
LODGING
There are many options for accommodations in Walla Walla and surrounding towns.
TRANSPORTATION
If you can safely carpool, we encourage it. The start point for this tour is approximately 4.5 to 5 hours from Seattle.
Additional Resources
Wineries
Wineries along Friday routes:
- Ducleaux Winery
- Los Rocosos Winery
- Tero Estates Winery
- Valdemar Estates
- Balboa Winery
- Saviah Cellars
- Va Piano Vineyards
- Castillo de Feliciana
Wineries along Sunday routes:
- Valdemar Estates Winery
- Balboa Winery
- Saviah Cellars
- Va Piano Vineyards
- Northstar Winery
- Solemn Cellars
Attractions
Local Bike Resources