One of the many frogs in Milton-Freewater

Tour de Frog

May 4, 2013

Milton-Freewater, nicknamed Muddy Frogwater, is nestled at the base of the Blue Mountains in the agriculture rich Walla Walla Valley. The area has an abundance of miles of quiet paved country roads, beautiful scenery and varied terrain which make it an ideal location for cyclists.

Rather than shunning its nickname the town decided to embrace it, so much that the town is littered with different frog statues and every third weekend in August they hold the Muddy Frogwater Country Festival. If you have a sharp eye you might even spot a few of the frogs during the Tour de Frog.

The driving force behind Tour de Frog is the need to help out McLoughlin High School’s Technology Student Association (TSA). The program is designed to create tomorrow’s leaders in engineering and technology. Proceeds from the ride go to the Mac-Hi TSA program.

Don’t forget to say “Hi” to Milton-Freewater’s future leaders in technology at one of the food stops. They will be helping run the Tour de Frog.

DISTANCES

25 miles, 50 miles, 75 miles, 100 miles

WHERE

Yantis Park, Milton-Freewater OR   map

WHEN

Saturday, May 4, 2013

6:00 AM - 10:00 AM Registration and ride checkin
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM 100 mile start
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 75 mile start
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM 50 mile start & 25 mile Family Ride start

COST

Registration is open until May 3 - registration for the 25 mile family ride is $30.00, and registration for the 50 mile, 75 mile, and 100 mile is $50.00, online and mail-in.

On ride day, registration for the 25 mile family ride is $35.00, and registration for the 50 mile, 75 mile, and 100 mile is $55.00.

T-shirts are $10 and are produced locally. In order for you to ensure getting your t-shirt on ride day, I must receive your registration by Sunday, April 29.

Online registration ends promptly at 8:00 PM on Friday, May 3.

COURSES

25 mile - The ride leaves the city of Milton-Freewater and heads north through the beautiful farm lands of the Walla Walla Valley that are comprised of orchards, vineyards, wheat fields, hay fields, pastures and multiple row crops. The course is flat with a couple of small hills near Whitman Mission. Click here for a pdf version.


50 mile - The ride leaves the city of Milton-Freewater, heading south up Milton Hill and then drops down into the Dry Creek canyon for a fun fast ride through the canyon. Caution there are three well marked railroad crossing on this stretch, so please cross with care. The ride then meets up with the 25 mile riders and continues on the same course to Whitman Mission for lunch. Whitman Mission is the mid-way point of the ride. From Whitman, the ride continues along more of the same type of farmland as it makes it way to the base of the Blue Mountains. Then the ride follows along the base of
the Blue Mountains back to Milton-Freewater. Click here for a pdf version.
75 mile - The ride is the same as the 50 mile ride but before you make your way up Milton Hill you turn at the base of the hill and follow the scenic Walla Walla River up to Harris Park on the South Fork of the Walla Walla River. The ride up to the park takes you along beautiful orchards and pasture lands. As the canyon begins to narrow you can still see the remains of the old flume on the south side cliffs. Once at Harris Park, riders can relax in
the cool of the shade and enjoy water and a snack before making the quick-paced ride back to Milton-Freewater. Back in Milton-Freewater, the riders will join up with the 50 mile ride and complete that loop for a total of 75 miles. Click here for a pdf version.


100 mile - The ride is essentially the same as the 77 mile ride with two differences.  There is an extended loop toward Touchet before you head back to Whitman Mission.  The second is a longer loop southeast of Walla Walla (near the 80 mile mark).  Click here for a pdf version.