Thousands of Cyclists to Ride Through Puyallup for 'Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic'

If you're out and about in Puyallup this weekend, expect to see thousands of bicyclists on the road as part of the 34th annual Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic (STP).

Puyallup Patch Facebook fan Maggie Smith offered some tips for the Puyallup leg:

"Drive safe and be patient with us! Most riders roll into Puyallup on Saturday morning sometime between 7:00-11:00ish. Some before, some after. We ride into Puyallup along Valley Ave and 5th street, and there is a rest stop at Grayland Park by Casa Mia. Then, we cut over to Pioneer and ride up "the hill" to Canyon and head into Spanaway. If you don't want to drive with the traffic, you'd be wise to avoid those areas. If you're out and about on Saturday morning, or anytime you're driving with cyclists on the road remember you should give three feet of space to pass us and try to move into the left lane if you're on a multi-lane road. Thanks for helping to keep us safe on the road! I know there are some cycling jerks out there, but the majority of us try really hard to ride safe and obey the law."

The 200-mile route will take riders from the University of Washington in Seattle to Holladay Park across the street from Lloyd Center in Portland.

The sold-out event, organized by the Cascade Bicycle Club, will take place Saturday and Sunday, July 13 – 14.

According to the Cascade Bicycle Club, the ride has drawn 10,000 participants--from 45 states and five other countries including Canada, France, The Netherlands, the UK and Malaysia--ranging from kids with parents up to one 90-year old. 

Will you be participating in the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic this weekend? What do you think will be your biggest challenge? Tell us in the comments below.

Official rest stops, staffed by volunteer groups, are established in Kent, Spanaway, Lexington, Wash., and St. Helens, Ore. to provide riders with food, drink and a place to rest. In addition, there are many other “Mini Stops” along the route that are fundraisers for local community groups selling food and drink to riders.

The STP is Cascade Bicycle Club’s largest fundraising event to benefit bicycle education, advocacy, commuting and riding programs.

For more information, visit the Cascade Bicycle Club website.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Motorists asked to drive with special care and attention along the route. Click here to view the route services map. There will be heavy bicycle traffic passing through the following communities along the route:

• START: the University of Washington stadium area
• Lake Washington Blvd toward Seward Park
• Kent – Major Rest Stop at mile 24
• Algona and Pacific
• Sumner
• Puyallup
• Spanaway – Major Rest Stop at mile 69
• McKenna and Yelm
• Tenino
• Centralia – Midpoint Stop at mile 102
• Chehalis
• Napavine
• Winlock
• Toledo
• Vader
• Castle Rock
• Lexington – Major Rest Stop at mile 145
• Kelso – crosses the Lewis & Clark / Longview Bridge over the Columbia River into Oregon
• Goble
• St. Helens – Major Rest Stop at mile 175
• Scappoose
• FINISH: Portland, Ore., Holladay Park