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19th Annual Tour Des Lacs
September 19-20, 2009
Spokane to Coeur d' Alene & Back
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Welcome to the 19th annual Tour des Lacs, a two day journey from Spokane to Coeur d'Alene via
whatever route you like, from easy to difficult. Join us for breakfast both mornings, dine all
along the way at food stops, and feast yet again at the end of each day of riding. Enjoy the
incomparable beauty of many lakes and terrain along the way.
Here is a quick run-down of your route options for each day.
On Day One we start in Spokane and you may choose to either travel one of 3 routes which head
south through the Palouse or one of 2 routes that head east along the Centennial Trail.
The shortest of the routes heading south is the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes with a cruise option,
the next longest is the Long Route with a Cruise and the longest is the Super Long Route. All of
these routes take you south out of Spokane, into Palouse country and around the south end of Lake
Coeur d' Alene. The super Long route travels all the way around the south and east side of the
lake. All routes finish the first day in Coeur d'Alene, where you will overnight at a hotel of
your choice.
The shorter routes on Day One begin in Spokane and travel east along the Centennial Trail, a 75%
pedestrian-only trail. The Centennial Trail is 40 miles long and will take you to Coeur d'Alene.
For those taking the Centennial Route, once you arrive in Coeur d'Alene, you are finished. Those
taking the Short Route with a Cruise have the option, once you arrive in Coeur d'Alene, of hopping
on the boat with your bike for a 2 hour cruise to Harrison, Idaho, which is on the east side of
Lake Coeur d'Alene and either returning round trip on the boat or getting on your bike and riding
another 38 hilly miles back into Coeur d'Alene.
Whatever route you decide upon, you're sure to see the spectacular autumn scenery offered by the
great inland northwest outdoors! Below are the descriptions of each route.
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| DAY ONE... Getting There: |
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Cruise Options
#1 Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes with Cruise: 66 MILES
Travel through Valleyford, Fairfield and Plummer....then you're onto the Trail
of the Coeur d' Alenes (pedestrian-only paved trail), which takes you across a bridge at the south
end of Coeur d'Alene Lake and leads you into Harrison the back way. Some say this is
the most spectacular part of the entire tour! Once in Harrison, enjoy a great food stop while you
wait for the boat that will take you back to Coeur d'Alene. Boat departs Harrison at 3pm and
arrives in Coeur d'Alene at 5pm.
Departure from Spokane: 6:30am from the Red Lion River Inn with a police escort.
Cruise departure from Harrison: Boat leaves Harrison at 3pm sharp. Sag wagons available for any
problems that may arise.
Elevation: Approximately 2600 feet of elevation changes.
#2 Long Route with Cruise: 86 MILES
A scenic ride through the wheat fields of the Palouse through Valleyford, Fairfield, Plummer,
St. Maries and finishing up in Harrison, Idaho. Once in Harrison, enjoy a great food stop
while you wait for the boat that will take you back to Coeur d'Alene. Boat departs Harrison
at 3pm and arrives in Coeur d'Alene at 5pm.
Departure from Spokane: 6:30am from Red Lion River Inn
Cruise departure from Harrison: Boat leaves Harrison at 3pm sharp. Sag wagons available for any
problems that may arise.
Elevation: 3500 feet of elevation changes...be in good shape for this fun
option!
#3 Short Route with Cruise: 78 MILES
Follow the beautiful Centennial Trail, a flat, easy 40 miles along the Spokane River to Coeur d'Alene.
Then hop on the cruise boat, which leaves Coeur d'Alene's Independence Point at noon and cruise for
2 hours down to Harrison, Idaho on the eastern shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene. When you depart the boat, head up to the City Park for some great
food, then you are back on your bike for another 38 miles of rolling hills. You will arrive back in Coeur d'Alene.
Departure from Spokane: 7:30am from Red Lion River Inn
Cruise departure from Coeur d'Alene: Boat leaves at 12 noon from Independence Point adjacent to Coeur d'Alene City Park.
Elevation: Approximately 2000 feet of elevation changes.
ABOUT THE BOAT CRUISE OPTIONS
1. Your bike goes with you onto the boat.
2. Please make sure you arrive at the dock on time.
3. Capacity limitations of 400 people, so register early.
4. Food stops available prior to boarding the boat.
Snacks and beverages available for purchase on the boat.
5. Cruise duration is approximately 2 hours each way.
6. If you would like to cruise both directions there is no
additional cost and you will be on the boat for 4 hours.
7. If a non-riding partner should wish to join you on the cruise,
the cost is $25 and is payable at registration check-in.
They board at Coeur d'Alene no later than noon on Saturday.
8. If you choose a non-cruise option and feel the need to take
the boat back into Coeur d'Alene from Harrison, you may
pay the boat check-in volunteers $25 on-site.
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NON Cruise Options:
#4 Super Long Route: 124 MILES ADVANCED RIDERS ONLY
Enjoy the first leg of your ride through the Palouse, then wind your way along the
forested slopes of Lake Coeur d'Alene...an incredibly scenic 124 mile trip.
Be in good shape for this one!!!
Departure from Spokane: 6:30am from the Red Lion with a police escort
Cruise departure from Harrison: Boat leaves Harrison at 3pm sharp. Sag wagons available for any
problems that may arise.
Elevation: Approximately 7000 feet of elevation changes.
#5 Centennial Route: 40 EASY MILES
Follow the scenic Centennial Trail along the Spokane River for 40 easy, flat miles
into Coeur d'Alene. Once there, check into your room, go shopping, or any of the many fun things
to do in Coeur d'Alen...then come back at 5pm for our Saturday night food fest.
Departure from Spokane: 7:30am from the Red Lion River Inn.
#6 Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes without Cruise: 110 MILES
A perfect alternative for those wanting a longer route but not a super long route. Ride
through the Palouse then hop on the bridge out of Plummer and you're on the Trail of the
Coeur d'Alenes to Harrison. You then continue on around the lake and back into Coeur d'Alene.
Departure from Spokane: 6:30am from the Red Lion with a police escort
Cruise departure from Harrison: Boat leaves Harrison at 3pm sharp. Sag wagons available for any
problems that may arise.
Elevation: Approximately 3500 feet of elevation changes.
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| DAY TWO... The Return: |
#1 Centennial Route: 40 EASY MILES
Return back to Spokane along the Centennial Trail, an easy, flat 40 miler.
Departs from Coeur d'Alene: 8:30am
#2 Three Lakes Route: 73 MILES
Ride 73 Rolling miles around Avondale, Hauser and Newman Lakes. David's Pizza food stop is
the treat on this route. Enjoy open countryside and beautiful woods along the
way home.
Departs from Coeur d'Alene: 8am |
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| FOOD STOPS |
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We strongly urge you to start at the scheduled start times for each route.
Food stops are opened and staffed according to this departure time.
Stragglers may miss tour services. We start the rides at the times indicated
to accommodate all levels of riders and their respective speeds.
Saturday
5:30am to departure - Pancake Breakfast at Red Lion River Inn
Long Route food stops include Valleyford (located at On Sacred Grounds coffee
shop at Madison and Palouse Hwy), Fairfield (light snacks and hydration), Plummer,
St. Maries, Harrison.
Super Long Route food stops include above plus Arrow Point.
Short Route food stops include Island Trailhead, State Line and Post Falls.
Dinner from 5-7pm.
Sunday
6:30am to departure – Pancake Breakfast
Long Route food stops include Rathdrum, Newman Lake and Island Trailhead.
Short Route food stops include Post Falls, State Line and Island Trailhead.
Potato & Chili Bar from 11:00am-3pm at the Red Lion River Inn.
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| LUGGAGE |
We transport your luggage from the Red Lion River Inn to the
hotel or campground of your choice (within Coeur d'Alene city limits) and pick
it up for a return trip to the Red Lion on Sunday.
Saturday Drop Off: 5:30am – 7:30am in parking lot by the big
trucks in front of Red Lion River Inn
Sunday: Have your luggage in the lobby of your hotel no later
than 8am and we'll pick it up and return it to the same spot at the Red Lion
where you dropped it off. |
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PRICES: (effective until
September 11, 2009 when a $10 late fee will be applied)
- Round & Round has a NO REFUND policy.
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Non-Cruise Option - $76 adult, $25 kids 12 & under
Cruise Option - $99 adult, $45 kids 12 & under
Prices include:
- long sleeve cotton t-shirt
- 2 pancake breakfasts
- Food stops both days
- 2 end of day meals
- Luggage transport
- 2 days of scenic beauty and riding
- Optional boat cruise (additional cost)
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| PACKET PICKUP AND START/FINISH LOCATION |
Packet pickup hours: 5pm-8pm Friday & 5:30am
to start Saturday
Location of packet pickup and start of ride:
Red Lion River Inn: 700 N Division, Spokane, WA
(Just north of the Division St bridge)
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| LODGING |
Lodging arrangements are made by you. Our HOST HOTEL in Spokane is the Red Lion River
Inn 1-800-733-5466. Mention you're with Tour des Lacs for special room rates of $100
for a Single/Double. We have reserved a block of rooms for this rate and when the
block is filled, higher room rates will apply.
NEW THIS YEAR!
Our Host hotel and the final food stop for Saturday night is the
Roosevelt Bed & Breakfast, located at 105 E Wallace Ave. It is located
just a couple of blocks north of the downtown Coeur d'Alene area and
has a beautiful grassy grounds area for our evening meal. Hurry fast
for reservations, as they will fill up quickly. We will also start the
Sunday morning rides from this location, and serve our pancake breakfast
from here as well.
Coeur d'Alene Lodging Options:
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Roosevelt B&B
105 E Wallace Ave
208-765-5200
Coeur d'Alene Resort
115 S 2nd St
800-688-5253
Flamingo
18 Sherman Ave
800-955-2159
Resort City Inn
621 Sherman Ave
877-440-4667
La Quinta Inn (There are 2 La Quinta's in Coeur d'Alene, this one is closer to our final destination)
2209 E Sherman Ave
208-667-6777
Days Inn
2200 Northwest Blvd
208-667-8668
Holiday Inn Express
2300 W Seltice Way
208-667-3100
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| DIRECTIONS to Start & Packet Pickup: |
| From I-90 (east or west) take Division Street Exit (Exit
#281). This will put you onto Division St. Follow Division across the bridge
and immediately upon crossing it, you will see the Red Lion River Inn on your
right. |
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| CLOTHING/GEAR
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Wear clothing you can layer...expect cool mornings and warm
afternoons, but be prepared for mother nature in September. Layers can be
peeled and left at any food stop and we'll bring them to the finish area in
marked bags. We do almost everything but your laundry!!!
Bring pumps, tubes, and tools just in case our mechanical support is engaged in
another bicycle operation. Bring as many water bottles as you can carry.
Helmets are REQUIRED.
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Questions?
Contact: 509-455-7657 or wendy@roundandround.com
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