Cyclists climb Steptoe Butte

ROSALIA - On Saturday, June 29, over a dozen cyclist gathered at Rosalia City Park to make their annual trip up the Steptoe Butte.

The group, Spokane Bike Club, was founded in 1973 and has been making the annual excursion to the butte since 1992, as a training ride to prepare for longer distances. While the group had a mixed range of ages for the cyclist, several had done this ride many times.

Sally Phillips, 76, of Spokane, joined the group in 1989 and has joined in on the training ride up Steptoe Butte since 1992. When asked how the area compares to other places she has cycled long distance, she replied, "Well, nothing around here is flat," with a chuckle.

When asked how she keeps herself up to the challenge of their rides as she ages, she said, "Cycling is a life-long sport I believe, it is easy on the joints." Phillips was a bike-commuter to work for a majority of her time in the work force, "Small, mild exercise you do regularly really helps. As you get older you just go the pace that is right for you so you can keep doing it and enjoy it," Phillips said.

For those who might be older, Phillips encouraged people to get out and ride, "Get your bike out of the garage and take it over to a bike shop. Ask them if it is in good shape and their advice on what might need to be done to improve it. The first bike I got, from a yard sale, had cracks on the tires. Its nice to get those things checked out in advance and not be caught off guard."

As people began to arrive at the park, a tandem bike could be seen at the rack, waiting for its riders. Jamie, 71, and Paula Sutherlind, 70, of Spokane spoke on their time with the club and cycling together. The married duo joined Spokane Bike Club in 2009, however have been tandem riding for the last 20 years.

When asked how much different it is to ride long-distance with a tandem bike, Jamie replied that the downhills are faster, but its very efficient. "We even rode across the county with a trailer," Paula Sutherland added. Their tandem cross-country trip took them two months in 2017, "We dipped one wheel in the water in San Deigo (Calif.) and the other in St. Augustine (Flor.)." The married couple recently rode across Washington two weeks prior with the club. When asked if having a partner riding with you changes pace, Jamie Sutherlind said, "You can always tell when the other person is not working," with a laugh and nudge to Paula. "We say the chain talks," Paula laughingly added.

The cyclist encouraged that anybody who many be interested in getting out on their bikes to visit their website, http://www.spokanebicycleclub.org, or Facebook page, as they have multiple events throughout the year and also serve as a fun social group for all ages.