Spokane, WA: Lilac Century and Family Fun Ride

Spokane, WA: Lilac Century and Family Fun Ride

This 26.8-miler follows a portion of the annual Lilac Century and Family Fun Ride and features gentle rollers, mild climbing, and plenty of scenic Spokane River panoramas.

Author:	Bicycling Magazine
Date:	29 Sep 2009 8:14:40 PM
Activity:	Bicycling ActivitySearchBicycling
State:	Washington (WA)
Distance:	26.75 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 1073 ft Total Loss: 1072 ft Net Change: 1 ft
Difficulty:	7 / 10
Tags:	Washington, Coeur d'Alene, Spokane
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

This creative variation of the 25-mile Annual Lilac Century and Family Fun Ride (held every April) starts at Spokane Falls Community College and follows the Spokane River and Centennial Trail north through the quiet pine forests of Riverside State Park.

From Spokane Falls Community College, ride north on West Government Way. The first panorama of the Spokane River appears just 2.8 miles in. Nearly 4 miles later, gear up for the ride’s longest uphill section: an unimposing, 2.4-mile climb on Seven Mile Road that gains 240 feet.

After completing the climb, turn around and descend Seven Mile Road and enjoy the subsequent downhill. At the intersection of Seven Mile Road and Aubrey L. White Parkway, turn left. Cruise the parkway’s rollers, riding northwest to Carlson Road and Charles Road before turning around retracing your route back to the college.

MORE INFO: Lilac Century and Family Fun Ride

-Mapped by Sara Lamson

TO TRAILHEAD: From I-90, take exit 280A onto Walnut St. Turn left onto 2nd Ave. Proceed across bridge to Sunset Blvd. At next stoplight, turn right onto Govt Way. Follow Govt. Way 2 miles north and turn right on Fort George Wright Dr. The campus is on the left.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Family Fun Ride

Dist: 26.75 mi	Points: 724	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Distance	Instruction		Distance to next
0.00 mi	Start	Spokane Falls Community College	Then go 0.09 mi
0.09 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at W Fort George Wright Dr	Then go 0.38 mi
0.47 mi	Bear Right	Slight right to stay on W Fort George Wright Dr	Then go 0.02 mi
0.49 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at W Government Way	Then go 1.42 mi
1.91 mi		Take the 1st right onto N Aubrey White Park Dr	Then go 0.99 mi
2.90 mi	Straight	Spokane River Centennial Trail	Then go 2.71 mi
5.61 mi	Straight	Aubrey White Park Dr	Then go 0.17 mi
5.78 mi		Continue on N Riverside State Park Dr	Then go 0.70 mi
6.48 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at W 7 Mile Rd	Then go 3.38 mi
9.85 mi	U-Turn		Then go 0.02 mi
9.88 mi		Continue on W 7 Mile Rd	Then go 3.30 mi
13.18 mi		Take the 1st left onto N Aubrey L White Pkwy/N Riverside State Park Dr	Then go 0.77 mi
13.94 mi	Turn Right	Spokane River Centennial Trail	Then go 2.12 mi
16.06 mi	Straight	Carlson Rd	Then go 0.30 mi
16.36 mi		Continue on N Riverside Park Dr	Then go 0.13 mi
16.49 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at W Charles Rd/Rte 1	Then go 0.20 mi
16.68 mi	U-Turn		Then go 0.20 mi
16.88 mi		Take the 1st right onto N Riverside Park Dr	Then go 0.13 mi
17.01 mi		Continue on W Carlson Rd	Then go 0.30 mi
17.30 mi	Straight	Spokane River Centennial Trail	Then go 2.12 mi
19.42 mi	Turn Right	Riverside State Park Dr	Then go 0.03 mi
19.45 mi	Turn Right	Turn right at N Aubrey L White Pkwy/N Riverside State Park Dr	Then go 0.74 mi
20.19 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at W 7 Mile Rd	Then go 0.06 mi
20.24 mi		Take the 1st right onto N Riverside State Park Dr	Then go 0.70 mi
20.94 mi		Continue on W Aubrey L White Pkwy	Then go 0.17 mi
21.11 mi	Straight	Spokane River Centennial Trail	Then go 2.72 mi
23.83 mi	Turn Right	Aubrey White Park Dr	Then go 0.99 mi
24.82 mi	Turn Left	Turn left at W Government Way	Then go 1.44 mi
26.26 mi	Turn Left	Fort George Wright Dr	Then go 0.40 mi
26.66 mi		Take the 3rd left onto Elliott Dr	Then go 0.09 mi
26.75 mi	Stop	Spokane Falls Community College

Points of Interest

Spokane Falls Community College

Location: 47.674675°, -117.467489°
Beginning at Spokane Falls Community College, leave your car in the lot and pedal west on Fort George Wright Drive before hanging a right onto Government Way.

Government Way

Location: 47.680876°, -117.480841°
Enjoy Government Way's wide shoulder as you pedal north past pine trees en route to the Spokane River.

Spokane River

Location: 47.696996°, -117.499981°
Enjoy superb views of the winding Spokane River as you head north on Riverside State Park Drive. © Sara Lamson

Caring For Carcinoid Team

Location: 47.733100°, -117.514325°
During the Lilac Century and Family Fun Ride, the roads are populated with racing teams like Caring for Carcinoid. © Sara Lamson

West Seven Mile Road

Location: 47.740023°, -117.521718°
After hanging a left on West Seven Mile Road, begin a 2.4-mile climb that gains 240 feet in elevation (1.9-percent grade). Though the shoulder is basically non-existent, there is minimal traffic as you cycle through a corridor of pines in Riverside State Park.

Turnaround Point on Seven Mile Road

Location: 47.744958°, -117.581552°
From the top of your climb, turn around and enjoy a swift descent. © Sara Lamson

North Aubrey L. White Parkway

Location: 47.740160°, -117.522844°
Take a left onto North Aubrey L. White Parkway and tackle nearly 3 miles of rollers. Like Seven Mile Road, this thoroughfare slices through pine forest and has no shoulder, but little traffic. Catch more Spokane River vistas as the road winds close to the river on various occasions.

Bridge

Bridge View

Location: 47.763402°, -117.547236°
Look to the west to catch another Spokane River panorama as you traverse a short bridge. © Sara Lamson

West Charles Road Park

Location: 47.778365°, -117.550256°
This is your turnaround point on West Charles Road. Take advantage of the picnic pavilions in the park that provide respite from the elements on hot or rainy days. Next, turn around and return to the intersection of Aubrey L. White Parkway and Seven Mile Road. © Sara Lamson