Buzz: Outdoors News Briefs for September 2013
Cyclocross Season
Photo at right: Joele Guynup carries bike across sandpits in Bellingham, Wash. Photo by Geoffrey Grosenbach, courtesy of Cascade Cross Series
Bring on the bicycles, obstacles and mud. Cyclocross season is ramping up across the Northwest including Seattle, Portland, Bend, Spokane region/northern Idaho and Walla Walla. Speed down a hill one moment, carry your bicycle over hurdles the next — and have a whole lot of fun along the way. Race or watch!
Seattle Cyclocross: www.seattlecx.com
MFG Cyclocross: www.mfgcyclocross.com (Seattle)
Cascade Cross Series: www.cascadecross.com (Bellingham)
River City Bicycles Cross Crusade: www.crosscrusade.com (Portland)
Bend Cyclocross: www.bendcyclocross.com
Inland NW Cyclocross series (Eastern Wash. and Idaho): www.emdesports.com/Race_Flyers/Inland_Northwest_Cyclocross_Series/inwcxs.html
Stunning mountain views. Photo courtesy of Snohomish County Tourism Bureau
Snohomish County Audio Tours
Stunning mountain views. Photo courtesy of Snohomish County Tourism Bureau
When visiting an area for the first time, having the advice of a knowledgeable tour guide can be invaluable. With that in mind, the Snohomish County Tourism Bureau has produced several self-guided phone tours you can download to a cellphone, smart phone or tablet for free.
There are a number of tours to choose from. We like the Mountain Loop Highway tour for interesting and fun facts on hikes in the Cascade Mountains and Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
Download your tour at www.snohomish.org/guides/download/now
Beat Winter Gloom with Vitamin ID
If you’re looking for ways to beat winter gloom, Idaho’s deep powder and sunny blue skies could be just what the doctor ordered. The Vitamin ID online sweepstakes is back for the 2013–2014 ski season. Winners will enjoy lodging and lift tickets to Idaho’s top ski destinations including Schweitzer, Brundage, Bogus Basin, Sun Valley and Lookout Pass. Weekly giveaways start Oct. 1 and run through Feb. 2014. Enter to win at www.IdahoWinter.org.
Mount Rainier viewed from Marine Park at twilight. Photo courtesy of Metro Parks Tacoma
Tacoma welcomes Ruston Way promenade connection
Mount Rainier viewed from Marine Park at twilight. Photo courtesy of Metro Parks Tacoma
The City of Tacoma, Metro Parks and Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department will host a celebration on Sept. 22 to commemorate the opening of the interim pedestrian and bicycle pathway. The connection between the Ruston Way promenade and Point Defiance Park marks the first step toward development of a permanent trail expected to open in late 2015.
Tacoma Wheelmen and VeloFemmes will host bike rides. Event-goers can also walk, run and roll from downtown Tacoma to Point Defiance Park. There will be a range of other wellness and creative activities — like Zumba, chalk art and yarn-bomb bikes — providing fun ways to think about art, health and the environment. Kids will enjoy a bouncy house and free iced fruit bars.
This event is free and open to all members of the community.
The first 1,500 people to pre-register will receive a free commemorative event cinch pack.
Event Details
What: Tacoma Waterway Open Streets Celebration
When: Sept. 22, 2013, 8 a.m. – noon
Cost: Free admission.
Info: www.metroparkstacoma.org/downtowntodefiance
New tennis courts in pristine condition. Photo by Jake Moe
Tennis Center Sand Point
New tennis courts in pristine condition. Photo by Jake Moe
It’s official! Tennis Center Sand Point at Seattle’s Magnuson Park has opened to the public. This brand new indoor facility features 10 tennis courts, a viewing platform, locker rooms, a pro shop and a full-service café—complete with wifi. The tennis center is staffed by seasoned instructors with experience in developing athletes and their skills.
The center hopes to expand upon three years’ worth of programing started by Racquet Training Center to provide the tennis community with clinics, workouts, personal instruction and quality programing for adults and youth.
Opportunities for events and reservations will be available to high school and college teams, corporate groups and charitable organizations. To reserve space and pay for tennis activities, players are asked to create and maintain an annual membership online at www.tenniscentersandpoint.com.
