Ride Around Washington

Ride Around Washington, who like to call themselves RAW, camped in Cheney at Betz Elementary on August 8, 2012. Charles Ruthford, with Cascade Bicycle Club, said that 250 cyclists and 25 volunteers started the week in Chewelah on Saturday and averaged about 70 miles per day.

The week's route headed from Chewelah down Flowery Trail Road through Usk, Newport and then down to Spirit Lake. Then the trail dropped even farther south around Hayden Lake down to Palouse and then Pullman. The road eventually brought the cyclists up to Cheney, where they will leave at 10 a.m. on August 9 for Spokane on their way back to Chewelah.

The six days costs around $900 per person. It includes bicycle support, three meals a day, hot showers, massages and transport of camping equipment. It also provides electricity to charge phones and other equipment.

 

This mobile shower has also been available for showers for firefighters in the past. The catering company provides a less heartier meal for the cyclists, since they don't need the same amount of calories cycling as a firefighter does fighting wildfires. This shower unit was hooked up to the fire hydrant in front of the elementary school.

Many of the riders leave around 6 a.m. and make camp in late morning or early afternoon.

The tents were like a mini-city, complete with access to bathrooms and water. Notice the clothes hanging in the tree?

Randy Furukawa, with the Washington Sports Massage Team, said that they treat about 20 people a day, primarily for neck, shoulders and back strain due to cyclists holding the weight of their heads as they ride.

This is one of two trucks used to transport equipment between camps. The Palouse camp was prior to Cheney and the group stayed there two nights.