Bike enthusiasts can look forward to the annual Inland Empire Century Bike Ride and Bike Expo this May. The event is organized by the Tri-Cities Industry Kiwanis, Walla Walla Kiwanis, and Bike Tri-Cities.

Registration is open for the Saturday, May 11 ride, which starts in Columbia Park in Kennewick. It is a key fundraiser for area Kiwanis-supported youth programs. 

The Bike Expo, which takes place concurrently, is supported by local bike shops eager to show their products and talk about bike safety.

“The Kiwanis Bike Ride project benefits our community. That is the goal of several dozen volunteers who spend months planning the event and are devoted to making sure all cycling participants enjoy a beautiful day of serious and casual cycling on May 11,” said Arthur Broady, a longtime Kiwanian who oversees sponsorships for the ride.

The routes

The ride features routes in a range of lengths. The shortest route, a 25-mile ride, is ideal for families and travels a loop along two sides of the Columbia River and crosses the Yakima River. Broady said finishing the route is not a requirement.

Cyclists also can sign up for 50-, 75- or 100-mile rides. These longer routes attract serious cyclists from around the Northwest.

“Typically, almost half of those who ride the 100 and 75 come from locations near Seattle, Portland, and Spokane. The attraction for these serious cyclists is it is the first fully sponsored major ride of the season, which means we have rest stops, safety drivers to protect them and restrooms along the route. Plus, the weather is good 90% of the time,” Broady said.

The longer routes climb steep hills, go through Benton City and Prosser, and offer scenic views of the river, valley, wheat fields, and vineyards.

“We always have it on the Saturday before Mother’s Day. Over the years the weather has been mostly ideal for cycling for the long-distance cyclists. For the casual cyclists just enjoying a fun time with family, it is an exciting time for the family to come out and have a fun recreational experience in safe conditions,” Broady said.

According to Broady, e-bike cyclists also are welcome to join in on the day of fun.

Routes are staffed with support vehicles and offer restrooms, along with drinks and snack stops.

Event sponsors

The ride would not be possible without the sponsorship support of the Tri-City business community, Broady said.

Tri-CU Credit Union is the event sponsor. Other major sponsors include most local bike shops, Atomic Screen Printing, Chan Chiropractic and Therapeutic Associates; and numerous Tri-City area businesses provide important in-kind donations.

Bike Expo

Bike Tri-Cities holds a Bike Expo in conjunction with the ride. The Inland Empire Century ride has been held since 1981, with the Kiwanis Industry Club taking over the event about 20 years ago, Broady said. 

Broady, a Tri-Cities Industry Kiwanis Club member since the early ’90s, said former Hanford workers created the club, which met on Fridays in Richland. Today, membership numbers about 40 and the club still meets at noon on Fridays.

Register to ride

The ride is free for ages 12 and under, and $15 for those 13-17.

Registration is $45 for the 25-mile ride; and $70 for the 50-, 75- and 100-mile rides. Cyclists must be 18 years or older for the longer rides. 

Register for the ride online at inlandempirecentury.org.

Cyclists also can register in person from 4-7 p.m. May 10 and in the early morning on Ride Day at the Camp Kiwanis facility in Columbia Park between Columbia Center Boulevard and Edison Street.