Whitehorse Mountain image courtesy of BIKES Club.
One week after last year’s McClinchy Mile Bike Ride hosted by BIKES Club of Snohomish County, tragedy struck in their community. A devastating landslide poured mud, rocks, trees and other debris into the North Fork of the Stillaguamish River and onto SR 530 near Oso. Forty-three people were killed.
This year, BIKES is using their annual event ride to commemorate the tragedy and support the communities of Oso and Darrington. On March 15, McClinchy Mile Oso Strong Ride will travel along the reopened SR 530 corridor to the communities of Oso and Darrington. Route options of 37 and 57 miles will highlight the scenic Stillaguamish River valley and offer stunning views of Whitehorse Mountain and other Cascade peaks. It will also bring riders through the landslide area past local memorials.
“Last year’s McClinchy Mile was one week prior to the landslide and our Arlington ride start is just a few miles away,” recalled BIKES member and former Washington Bikes board president Kristin Kinnamon. “The tragedy affected all of us in Snohomish County, either directly or indirectly. As Snohomish County’s bike club, BIKES wants to commemorate the landslide and support the communities by promoting bike tourism and trails in the area.”
This year’s ride includes a unique food stop at Rhodes River Ranch, where the restaurant will provide “cowgirl biscuits and gravy,” hot beverages, and other snacks.
Funds generated from the ride will support the Oso-area Whitehorse Trail, which was damaged by the landslide, and bike tourism through the Centennial Trail Coalition and Washington Bikes. McClinchy also supports BIKES Club of Snohomish County and its community work. BIKES has hosted this event for more than 30 years.
Registration is $30 in advance and $35 on the day of the ride, which begins at Haller Middle School in Arlington. Helmets are required for the ride.
Riders who register by March 1 will be entered for a chance to win an overnight stay and dinner at Angel of the Winds Casino near Arlington. Registration and event updates can be found on the McClinchy Mile page of the BIKES Club website.
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Many event rides support Washington Bikes’ work to grow bicycling in our state. Please consult our ride calendar for a list of these rides.
