{"id":13577,"date":"2015-06-19T07:15:17","date_gmt":"2015-06-19T14:15:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wabikes.org\/?p=13577"},"modified":"2015-06-20T13:32:35","modified_gmt":"2015-06-20T20:32:35","slug":"yakima-beer-cider-loop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wabikes.org\/index.php\/2015\/06\/19\/yakima-beer-cider-loop\/","title":{"rendered":"Yakima Beer and Cider Loop"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Taproom<\/a><\/p>\n

Frank Hieber is a Yakima resident whose interests include road and mountain biking, ice hockey, music, beer and baseball. He shares a favorite local ride with us today. Find him on Twitter:\u00a0@ztirffritz<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The Yakima Beer and Cider Loop showcases local scenery and allows riders to experience the local craft breweries and cideries.\u00a0 This ride goes through several parks, and provides stops at up to 6 different watering holes around town.\u00a0 The length of the ride is approximately 18-20 miles depending on the stops that participants choose.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on your pace, it could take more than 5 hours to complete.\u00a0 It is an easy ride with less than 300ft of total elevation gain, but for people from cooler climates it is important to remember to hydrate properly during this ride.\u00a0 Yakima is hot and it is a desert.\u00a0 While beer and cider can have a restorative function, make sure that you\u2019re well supplied with water too.\u00a0 Depending on the time of year, the temperature can range from 50\u00b0 F to 100\u00b0+ F.<\/span><\/p>\n

The route is available online<\/a> via MapMyRide.<\/p>\n

\"Yakima<\/a><\/p>\n

The ride can be started anywhere along the route, but the tasting room at the Yakima Craft Brewery<\/a> makes a convenient starting point for the ride.\u00a0 Participants can park in the lot and either start with a beer if the tasting room is open, or begin the ride toward Bale Breaker Brewing<\/a> in Moxee, WA.<\/p>\n

The ride begins with a short road ride along River Road and a right turn west onto Fruitvale Boulevard.\u00a0 The northwest entrance to the Yakima Greenway Trail<\/a> is hidden behind some industrial buildings.\u00a0 The parking lot leads to a view of Myron Lake.<\/p>\n

\"Lake\"<\/a><\/p>\n

During the hot summer days in Yakima, the locals fish, paddle boat, canoe, and swim in this lake.\u00a0 There are many unique sights to see while riding this trail.\u00a0 Lots of birds\u00a0—\u00a0water fowl, hawks, eagles, and numerous other species — live here, making this a great route for birdwatching. \u00a0Early in the season eaglets can be seen peeking over the edge of a\u00a0bald eagle nest located along the trail.<\/p>\n

You’ll enjoy many scenic vistas of the Yakima River as you ride.\u00a0 The trail is relatively isolated, but has some facilities for water and restroom breaks along the way.\u00a0 Picnic benches also dot the trail in several locations.\u00a0 A few restaurants have access from the trail, including Burger King and El Mirador 2.\u00a0 The trail passes through Sarg Hubbard Park, the Yakima Arboretum, and Sherman Park and goes past the Yakima Humane Society too (feel like walking a dog in the park? They\u2019ll let you borrow one!). A Greenway spur trail continues east next to SR 24.\u00a0 Eventually all good things must come to an end, and this is where you must leave the Greenway.<\/p>\n

\"Yakima<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Bale<\/a>The ride continues east on SR 24 for about \u00bd mile. At the Birchfield Rd intersection, turn north.\u00a0 Bale Breaker Brewing<\/a> will be on your right.\u00a0 It looks like a lush oasis tucked in the parched fields of hops that surround it.\u00a0 Stop in for a pint or two and refill your water containers.\u00a0 I recommend the TopCutter IPA but the Field 41 Pale Ale is also very popular and refreshing.\u00a0 Bale Breaker Brewing has a grassy outdoor area where kids can play and offers both indoor and outdoor seating.\u00a0 They don\u2019t serve food directly, but guests can bring their own or purchase from local vendors selling food outside the brewery.<\/p>\n

OK, you\u2019ve rested enough.\u00a0 Let\u2019s keep going.<\/p>\n

Turn right out of the brewery and continue north on Birchfield Road.\u00a0 Follow this road about 1 mile. Birchfield Road becomes Gun Club Road and you\u2019ll follow that for about 1\/3 mile.\u00a0 Turn right and head north on 41st\u00a0St and continue until the intersection with Terrace Heights Drive in about 1 mile. This is about the halfway point of the ride. Turn west on Terrace Heights Drive and continue about 3 miles. Now you have some choices\/options in where to go:<\/p>\n