Date:
Monday, July 07, 2008
Contact:
Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications, (360) 705-7080 (Olympia)
OLYMPIA – Organizers predict a record 9,500 bicyclists will be on local roads and highways for the 2008 Group Health Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic (STP). The 200-mile ride between Seattle and Portland is schedule for Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13.
Riders complete the trek in one or two days, with close to 30 percent finishing the race on Saturday. The remaining bicyclists stop near the half-way point in Lewis County, and then complete the ride on Sunday.
WSDOT and event organizers ask local drivers to share the road and be prepared for possible traffic delays along the route. Bicyclists are expected to follow Washington’s “Rules of the Road” when riding. Ride organizer Cascade Bicycle Club has posted information for bicyclists about how to ride in traffic. It is available at www.cascade.org.
“STP is a unique event with riders from all over Washington, the United States and entire world,” notes Cathy Cooper, WSDOT Special Events Coordinator. “We urge motorists and bicyclists to share the road and ask both groups to be patient in their travels and expect delays on the route.”
The following highways (as well as additional secondary roads) are part of the STP route:
•SR 181 - West Valley Highway in Kent
•SR 7 - near Spanaway
•SR 507 - from "Roy Wye" to Centralia
•Centralia and Chehalis city streets
•County roads (Napavine to Winlock to Vader)
•SR 506 - Vader area
•Westside Highway - Vader to Castle Rock area
•SR 411 - Castle Rock to Longview
•SR 432 - Longview Industrial area
•SR 433 - Crossing Lewis and Clark Bridge
The Cascade Bicycle Club shows the entire 2008 STP route on its website at: www.cascade.org/EandR/stp/STP_Details.cfm
To aid cyclists and drivers, STP organizers and WSDOT have worked together to provide traffic control at the following locations:
Saturday, July 12:
•SR 507/ Clark Street in Yelm (police officers directing traffic)
•SR 507/Carter St. in Yelm (police officer directing traffic)
•SR 507/Tenino Trail crossing (police officer directing traffic)
Sunday, July 13:
•SR 411/Castle Rock area law enforcement officer directing traffic at SR 411/ PH 10)
•SR 411/Lexington area (law enforcement officer directing traffic near Lexington Park)
•SR 432/433 at the Lewis and Clark Bridge from 8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
On Sunday, July 13, Washington State Patrol and WSDOT flaggers will stop southbound drivers at 15-minute intervals as members of the Gold Wing motorcycle club escort groups of cyclists over the Lewis and Clark Bridge. Drivers on SR 432 and nearby city streets can expect delays of up to 30 minutes.
Riders crossing the Lewis and Clark Bridge on Saturday, July 12, will not have a bridge escort and are expected to ride with traffic.
“The STP organizers have been great to work with as we try to reduce the inconvenience to motorists,” explains Cooper.
She notes that this year STP will post advance notice signs to alert roadway users to the upcoming event and will have officials on the ride to remind cyclists to follow the traffic laws.
“During this once a year event it’s a good idea to leave yourself extra travel time so you can enjoy the excitement and spirit of STP,” Cooper said.
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