Tickets are still available for anyone wishing to join the biggest cycling event in Lewis County, as the annual Ride The Willapa bike ride returns Saturday, June 24.
Now in its seventh year, Ride The Willapa will once again start and end at the Owl & Olive farm just west of Doty on state Route 6. The ride offers five route options, from the traditional trail routes between Chehalis and Pluvius to more challenging routes that incorporate the scenic backroads of Curtis, Boistfort and Pe Ell.
“Three routes exclusively use the Willapa Hills Trail between Adna and Pluvius, offering cyclists a peaceful and picturesque experience that passes through scenic forests, farmlands and fields,” wrote Chris Brewer, an organizer and marketing leader for the event. “The trail routes are designed to appeal to anyone wishing to relax and enjoy a comfortable and leisurely pace.”
Two routes that ride staff introduced in 2022 bring together the trail and several backroads. Intermediate and advanced cyclists will enjoy the challenging hills and distances on the varying terrain that west Lewis County offers. The majority of the ride takes place on finely crushed gravel.
Ride organizers recommend any bike with wider tires than thin road bike tires; gravel or mountain bikes will provide the best experience on the trail. E-bikes are welcome, and riders must use them in accordance with State Parks rules and regulations.
The recent completion of the overpass over state Route 6 at Littell, one mile east of Adna, means riders will be able to enjoy 8 total new miles of trail, with easterly routes extending to the Chehalis trailhead this year.
Riders can enjoy traveling over the oldest and newest bridges in Lewis County in a 3-mile span of the trail.
Ride The Willapa is the primary fundraiser for the Lewis County Community Trails Association, a nonprofit organization advocating for and helping support trail construction and maintenance in Lewis County.
Tickets are $35 for adults 18 and over, $25 for youth ages 9-17, and free for kids 8 and under with a paying adult.
Online registration closes June 23 at noon. Day-of ride registration will be available, with tickets increasing to $45 for adults, $35 for youth and $10 for children 8 and under.
For all available information on the ride, and to sign up, visit ridethewillapa.com or search Ride The Willapa 2023 on Facebook.
