CENTRALIA— After a two-year hiatus due to pandemic restrictions, Cascade Bicycle Club has announced a full schedule of 2022 events and rides, including the return from Seattle to Portland.

The 206 Miles from Seattle to Portland presented by Alaska Airlines – the Pacific Northwest’s largest and most iconic group cycling event – will return July 17-18, according to Cascade Bicycle Club.

Founded in 1979 and attracting up to 10,000 participants per year, STP is “a celebration on two wheels that draws participants from across the region and country”, with cyclists testing their fitness while raising funds for the initiatives. Youth Cycling Campaign, cycling promotion and programs that serve Cascade’s 9,000 members and cyclists throughout Washington state, Cascade Bicycle Club said in a press release.

Participants also support other community nonprofits that Cascade contracts with to provide food and services along the STP route.

The return of STP and the resumption of other major Cascade cycling events are “great news and a big moral boost” for the Washington cycling community and the state’s tourism and outdoor recreation economy. said Lee Lambert, executive director of the Cascade Bicycle Club.

“We invite cyclists from Washington, the Northwest and across the country to join us in July for the most special and anticipated STP ever,” Lambert said.

“Come have fun, make new friends, and help make STP – and our entire event season – the most exciting and festive in the 52-year history of the Cascade Bicycle Club.”

The big Cascade rides season begins in February with the return of Chilly Hilly to picturesque Bainbridge Island, and continues into the spring, summer and fall with day-long events including the Ride for Major Taylor, the Century of Summer Flying Wheels and the Kitsap Color Classic.

Multi-day rides and tours include the Ride Around Washington, the Ride From Seattle to Vancouver and Party, the Lake Chelan Tour Lite, as well as two Seattle Bike-n-Brews events and the Woodinville Wine Ride.

“We have rides for everyone from fitness enthusiasts looking to pedal 100 miles in one day, to families looking for a happy ride through Seattle,” Lambert said.

Participants in Cascade Bicycle Club rides and events support the organization’s advocacy, education, equity and community development mission of bringing people together to experience the joy of riding a bicycle, to advocate for a safe and fair Washington; and to build confidence and leadership in teaching bicycle skills to all ages, Cascade said in a press release.

Cascade Bicycle Club, the largest statewide nonprofit cycling organization, serves riders of all ages, races, genders, income levels and abilities across Washington, Cascade said. “We teach the joys of cycling, advocate for safe places to ride and produce world-class rides and events. ”