Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic
Encyclopedia
The Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic, or STP, is an annual one- and two-day supported bicycle ride from Seattle, Washington to Portland
, Oregon
in the United States
. The STP "is considered one of the 10 biggest recreational bicycle rides in the country, drawing riders from across the nation and from other nations", and has been operating since 1979. The ride is organized by the Cascade Bicycle Club
. It is approximately 202 miles (325 km) in length. Most riders complete the distance in two days; however, about 15% complete the ride in one day.
) route between the cities. The Cascade Bicycle Club
describes the 2006 route as "pretty flat with the “Big Hill” coming at the 45-mile mark. It’s a mile long with about a 7 percent grade. ... The majority of the ride is on beautiful, rolling rural roads". In 2005 approximately 30 miles (48 km) of the 202 miles (325 km) were considered uphill with a combined ascent of approximately 2000 feet (609.6 m).
The halfway point is near the towns of Centralia
and Chehalis
in Washington. For two-day riders, the hotels and guesthouses in the area cannot accommodate the thousands of cyclists, so schools, churches and other charitable organizations provide indoor spaces for riders to sleep and food for a fee. Some riders also arrange to camp in parks or fields near the halfway point.
. An alternative ride from Seattle to Vancouver
, British Columbia
was arranged that year. This new ride became the annual Ride from Seattle to Vancouver, BC and Party
(RSVP). The following year Cascade Bicycle Club changed the event from a race to "recreational ride". Jerry Baker from Seattle was the winner of the first STP race. Baker and Paul Wantzelius from Maple Valley, Washington
are the only people who have ridden every STP. Despite being a cycling event people have taken part on unicycle
s, inline skates
and two skateboarders have done it using a technique known as long distance skateboard pumping.
Participation reached a peak in 1991 when the limit of 10,000 riders took part. In recent years the Cascade Bicycle Club
has imposed a limit on the number of participants. The limit was 9,000 in 2007.
The 2010 event sold out 10,000 slots on April 26, 2010. The 32nd annual Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic will be held on July 9 and July 10, 2011 and is expected to reach 10,000 riders, and sell out in advance.
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The STP "is considered one of the 10 biggest recreational bicycle rides in the country, drawing riders from across the nation and from other nations", and has been operating since 1979. The ride is organized by the Cascade Bicycle Club
Cascade Bicycle Club
Cascade Bicycle Club is a nonprofit 501 community organization based in Seattle, Washington. It is the largest bicycling club in the United States with more than 13,000 members. It is run by unpaid directors, professional staff and volunteers...
. It is approximately 202 miles (325 km) in length. Most riders complete the distance in two days; however, about 15% complete the ride in one day.
About
The ride takes place on the second or third weekend in July mostly on country roads, avoiding the direct freeway (U.S. Interstate 5Interstate 5
Interstate 5 is the main Interstate Highway on the West Coast of the United States, running largely parallel to the Pacific Ocean coastline from Canada to Mexico . It serves some of the largest cities on the U.S...
) route between the cities. The Cascade Bicycle Club
Cascade Bicycle Club
Cascade Bicycle Club is a nonprofit 501 community organization based in Seattle, Washington. It is the largest bicycling club in the United States with more than 13,000 members. It is run by unpaid directors, professional staff and volunteers...
describes the 2006 route as "pretty flat with the “Big Hill” coming at the 45-mile mark. It’s a mile long with about a 7 percent grade. ... The majority of the ride is on beautiful, rolling rural roads". In 2005 approximately 30 miles (48 km) of the 202 miles (325 km) were considered uphill with a combined ascent of approximately 2000 feet (609.6 m).
The halfway point is near the towns of Centralia
Centralia, Washington
Centralia is a city in Lewis County, Washington, United States. The population was 16,336 at the 2010 census.-History:In pioneer days, Centralia was the halfway stopover point for stagecoaches operating between the Columbia River and Seattle. In 1850, J. G. Cochran came from Missouri with his...
and Chehalis
Chehalis, Washington
Chehalis is a city in Lewis County, Washington, United States. The population was 7,259 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Lewis County.-History:...
in Washington. For two-day riders, the hotels and guesthouses in the area cannot accommodate the thousands of cyclists, so schools, churches and other charitable organizations provide indoor spaces for riders to sleep and food for a fee. Some riders also arrange to camp in parks or fields near the halfway point.
Support
The ride is supported, meaning that food is provided at stops approximately every 25 miles (40 km) along the route. In 2004 volunteers handed out "more than 11,000 bananas, 4 tons of watermelon, 13,000 bagels and 18,000 sandwiches". There is some mechanical support. The Cascade Bicycle Club also arranges transportation for riders to Seattle the day before as well as a return trip to Seattle after the ride.History
The first STP took place in 1979 and was a race. The ride has taken place every year since except in 1980 when it was canceled because of the eruption of Mount St. Helens1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens
The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, a stratovolcano located in Washington state, in the United States, was a major volcanic eruption. The eruption was the only significant one to occur in the contiguous 48 U.S. states since the 1915 eruption of Lassen Peak in California...
. An alternative ride from Seattle to Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
was arranged that year. This new ride became the annual Ride from Seattle to Vancouver, BC and Party
Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party
RSVP - Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party! is a two-day, 186 mile bike tour from Seattle, Washington to Vancouver, British Columbia, along scenic backroads of Washington and British Columbia. One of the most anticipated cycling events in British Columbia, RSVP is held in August...
(RSVP). The following year Cascade Bicycle Club changed the event from a race to "recreational ride". Jerry Baker from Seattle was the winner of the first STP race. Baker and Paul Wantzelius from Maple Valley, Washington
Maple Valley, Washington
Maple Valley is a city in King County, Washington, United States. The population was 22,684 at the 2010 census.-History:The area was first settled in 1879 by three men who were improving a trail and brought their families in. When a name for a future community was proposed, the names Vine Maple...
are the only people who have ridden every STP. Despite being a cycling event people have taken part on unicycle
Unicycle
A unicycle is a human-powered, single-track vehicle with one wheel. Unicycles resemble bicycles, but are less complex.-History:One theory of the advent of the unicycle stems from the popularity of the penny-farthing during the late 19th century...
s, inline skates
Inline skates
In-line skates are a type of roller skate used for inline skating. Unlike quad skates, which have two front and two rear wheels, inline skates have two, three, four, or five wheels arranged in a single line...
and two skateboarders have done it using a technique known as long distance skateboard pumping.
Participation reached a peak in 1991 when the limit of 10,000 riders took part. In recent years the Cascade Bicycle Club
Cascade Bicycle Club
Cascade Bicycle Club is a nonprofit 501 community organization based in Seattle, Washington. It is the largest bicycling club in the United States with more than 13,000 members. It is run by unpaid directors, professional staff and volunteers...
has imposed a limit on the number of participants. The limit was 9,000 in 2007.
The 2010 event sold out 10,000 slots on April 26, 2010. The 32nd annual Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic will be held on July 9 and July 10, 2011 and is expected to reach 10,000 riders, and sell out in advance.
External links
- Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic Official site