After Covid lockdown, says Spokane mountain bike coach Frank Burns, “We saw that kids were withdrawn and excluded, for many good reasons, from the interactions that are so critical to the development of adolescent brains. My buddy is a pediatrician and my wife is a psychiatrist, and hearing them talk about what they were seeing with depression, anxiety, and withdrawal in adolescent populations was scary.”

But once kids were able to get back out riding together in the spring of 2021, he says, kids thrived like they had before.

After some thought, Burns says he and his fellow coaches came to the conclusion that bikes are the answer. “Armed with this new found insight, we secured the Bikesaretheanswer.org domain name and put up a website to make it easy for everyone in our region with kids to engage in youth cycling teams.”

Youth mountain biking programs in the Inland Northwest are not new, but navigating the confusing acronyms and disparate programs didn’t make it easy for families to find the right programs and races for their kids.

The Bikesaretheanswer.org site simplifies the region’s youth cross-country (XC) mountain biking team and race options and brings them all together in one easy-to-use web portal. The volunteers behind the effort went a step further and also helped fill the gap between the existing spring youth mountain bike teams under the Washington Student Cycling League (WSCL) and the fall youth cyclocross team (School of Cross); they brought a summer team under the banner of the National Interscholastic Cycling League of Montana (NICA MT) into the fold.

From the Bikesaretheanswer.org website, parents can now find all the info and registration links for Inland Northwest mountain bike team options for spring, summer, and fall, plus optional race dates throughout the year, all in one place.

Simplifying the process for parents has huge value, but the addition of the summer league that brings kids from around the region together into one team has also had a tremendous impact on the kids, coaches, and families that are now so much more connected, explains Burns.

The addition of the summer league really opened the coaches’ eyes, says Burns. “All the kids from the region were put together into one team and thrived. The kids, coaches, and families became friends, and we competed as one group against other teams in the larger multistate league.”

It gave everyone a taste of what a successful regional approach to youth cycling can deliver, says Burns. “We began to ride trails in CDA, Mount Spokane, Mica, Saltese, and Riverside together too.”

An unexpected outcome, he adds, was that kids saw themselves as part of a region, as opposed to a small friend group in a school or neighborhood.

For kids and families, Burns says youth bike teams are a great regional community-building tool, all while delivering fun, friends, health and inclusion. Kids in grades 6–12 can participate in the spring and summer XC mountain bike leagues, and ages 6–18 can take part in the fall cyclocross season.

Youth of all abilities are welcome, and Burns points out that kids typically self-sort whether they are more interested in riding for fun and being social or competing and racing. “At the start of the season, we had some kids who had not ridden much at all,” explains Burns, “and after six weeks, these kids do multi-hour rides and see themselves as part of a mountain bike team and are ready to race if they want to.”

Originally published as “For Some Pandemic-Weary Parents, Bikes Became the Answer” in the May-June 2022 issue.

Find more stories in the OTO archives about biking and Out There Kids family outdoor adventures.

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The Colville, Washington-area is a road biker’s dream. Tucked into the northeast corner of the state, there is an abundance of lightly-trafficked backroads. Popular routes pass through lush valleys and forested foothills, along lakes and rivers, and over high mountain passes.

The annual Blazing Saddles Ride, August 7 this year, is the chance to meet and tour these amazing routes with other riders.

Each year Blazing Saddles Ride organizers feature different world-class century, metric century (62 miles), and 40-mile routes on a three-year rotation.

This year’s rides are dubbed the “Tour d’Colville Valley,” which lets all riders experience at least some of the iconic “Colville Loop” route that circumnavigates the city of Colville.

This year Blazing Saddles organizers added a perfect ride for the whole family, including younger riders — Little Pepper Family Ride. Starting from Colville’s Yep Kanum Park on August 7 at 9 a.m., the 5-mile route winds along the Cedar Loop residential area and then around the lovely rural setting of the Rotary Trail and back to the park.

The winding ride has a slight uphill at the start and is otherwise a relatively flat pedal for the whole family.

The family ride finishes back at Yep Kanum Park at 10 a.m. where “Kids Art in the Park” will be getting started. This event is an experiential paint, clay, music, and dance event for kids of all ages.

Ride registration is $10 per person over eight years old and under eight is free. 

Bike Safety Rodeo

Kids and adults who have registered for the Little Pepper Family Ride are invited to attend a Bike Safety Rodeo at the Colville branch of Spokane Community College (SCC Colville branch parking lot) on July 31. 

The Bike Safety Rodeo will teach kids bike safety and handling. Little riders will receive a certificate at end of the course. The bike rodeo is free for kids who are registered for the Blazing Saddles Little Pepper Family Ride and $5 for all others.

Find all of the event info at Blazing100.org.

[Feature photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of Colville.]

The post Kids Events At Blazing Saddles Bike Ride (August 7) appeared first on Out There Venture.

The bike rodeo is free for kids who are registered for the Blazing Saddles Little Pepper Family Ride and $5 for all others.

The event includes bike and helmet fitting and a bike safety/mechanical check provided by staff from Adventure Peddler Bike Shop in Colville. There will be 8 stations for learning bike safety and handling/control as well as fun games. Children will receive a certificate at end of the course.

Registration/permission forms will be available at Adventure Peddler, Chamber of Commerce, and other locations.  Forms can be returned to a drop box at Adventure Peddler.

For more information, visit the Rotary’s Kids and Family Bike Safety Rodeo event page (on Facebook) or contact the Rotary Club of Colville at rotaryclubofcolville [at] gmail.com.

For more stories about biking with kids, visit the OTO archives.

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As I got older, before we could drive, my friends and I rode all over the valley and even made a couple long pedals to places as far away as Coeur d’Alene.

The point here is you’ll be doing children a huge favor by taking them out riding. Being outside on and around bikes at a young age will help them develop a life-long passion for this fun, healthy outdoor activity.

It may not always be easy, but it’s worth it. Here are a few things I learned riding with my son over the past five years that you might find helpful.

Being “over-prepared” on a ride with kids can make the difference between happy family and hell on wheels.

Get the right bikes and gear.

You can totally get by with fixer-upper used bikes and one of many types of on-bike kid seats for young children to sit securely on your bike.

Or if they are old enough to ride, pick up a new or used balance bike or pedal bike for older kids. A basic set-up like that will be great for riding neighborhood streets or paved pathways like the Centennial Trail in Spokane or North Idaho.

If you’re looking for higher-functioning, more comfortable bikes and kid haulers like bike trailers, cargo bikes, or trailer bikes, visit your local bike shop or get hunting online asap as some COVID-related bike and accessory shortages will continue at least through 2021.

If you want to ride dirt trails or do longer family rides, see #5 below for some tips and gear recommendations.

Be prepared.

Being “over-prepared” on a ride with kids can make the difference between happy family and hell on wheels. Water or juice and snacks are a must and will inevitably ward off a meltdown.

But here are some other things to throw in your backpack, bike bag, or panniers if you’ll be riding further than a mile or two from your house: a change of clothes, baby wipes, changing kit for young kids, toilet paper and Ziplock bags for trash/soiled clothes, hand sanitizer, sun protection, extra layers and jackets, money and masks for planned or unplanned stops, first-aid kit, bike tools and tire repair kit, your phone and a backup charger, and helmets for everyone.

Ride to fun destinations.

Some days kids may rejoice at the mention of a bike ride, yet there will likely be other times it feels like you just informed them that Christmas has been canceled.

To help get kids more excited to ride, try making it a ride to a destination they love or soon will love. A safe ride to a nearby playground is an obvious choice. In Spokane, there are many playgrounds along or nearby the Centennial and Ben Burr trails.

Or try riding to an ice cream shop, swimming spot, a friend’s house for a play date, a pump track or skate park, a farmers’ market for fresh fruit, or a fun natural area where they can run wild in the woods and have a snack or picnic before heading home.

Don’t confuse riding with kids with getting exercise.

If at least one person in your family is always trying to squeeze in a workout, they will likely be disappointed on a family ride with young kids. Riding with kids, depending on their age and ability level, can be painfully slow at times and prone to repeated, random snack breaks and detours to explore nearby attractions.

That’s not to say there aren’t some great ways to get exercise while riding with children (see #5 below), but most family rides will not satisfy an adult rider with Tour Divide ambitions.

My advice: get your exercise beforehand, chill out, and enjoy a slow pedal with your clan.

Ride farther with your kids and have more fun too.

If you want to do longer rides with kids or get into riding dirt trails, you will need to invest in the right bikes and accessories. When kids are young and content to sit and sleep in a bike trailer, you can crank out miles of riding together and make everyone happy.

When they are older and able to do some riding themselves, try a trailer bike (also called a trail-a-bike) that’s connected to an adult’s bike. They get to pedal some but don’t always need to, and you can ride farther together.

I have also used a Weehoo trailer bike for riding Riverside State Park singletrack with my son since he was 3 years old.

Now that he is older and able to ride up to 7 miles some days, we’ve been riding our own bikes on the Centennial Trail from our house to the Camp Sekani pump track where he then rides in circles for an hour like a maniac. After all that, he’s ready to crash for a nap in my Thule bike trailer while I pedal all of us back home with his bike strapped to the back of the trailer.

However you do it, the important thing is to get out there and ride whatever distance with your kid or kids early and often. Ride safe, be prepared, and you’ll never regret it.

Originally published as “What I Learned About Riding With Kids” in the May-June 2021 issue in the annual Inland NW Family Outdoors Guide special seciton.

Derrick Knowles is co-publisher and editor-in-chief and was the original senior writer when Out There Monthly was founded by Jon Snyder in 2004.

Read more stories about biking with kids in our archives.

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Trail Sections Best for Kids

Here are four sections and their kid-favorite highlights, organized by the three major trailhead communities—Harrison, Kellogg, and Wallace—with easy trail access, lodging, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, and other services for families.

Harrison to Lake Chatcolet

This trail section travels along the sparkling waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene’s southeast shoreline. At one end is Heyburn State Park, where the bike trail crosses over Lake Coeur d’Alene along a former railroad draw-bridge, which marks the boundary with Lake Chatcolet. At the state park day-use area you’ll find a trailhead restroom, picnic shelter, playground, and state park restroom and water spigot.

Staying overnight in Harrison provides time for families to enjoy all the friendly charm, natural beauty, and history the town has to offer, including a city park and playground, swimming beach, marina, and ice cream parlor, as well as a bike shop for gear rentals and bike maintenance and supplies. Check out more of the local attractions and amenities for families here.

Harrison to the Chain Lakes of the Coeur d’Alene River

Starting from the Harrison trailhead right in town, families will enjoy wilderness serenity as the trail travels along the Coeur d’Alene River and passes a series of small lakes, which are connected to the river by narrow channels. Moose, deer, and an array of bird species are commonly seen along this section of trail through the Coeur d’Alene River Wildlife Management Area. There are also numerous wayside points, as well as four trailheads along this stretch. The Springston, Medimont, Blackrock, and Bull Run trailheads each provide trail access near Harrison from Highway 3.

Because it’s more than 20 trail miles between Harrison and Cataldo, families with young children should ride out-and-back from Harrison. Be sure to ride a reasonable distance that will keep the whole family happy. To experience the other end of the scenic Chain Lakes area, start riding out-and-back from the Cataldo, Blackrock, or Bull Run trailheads.

Cataldo to Enaville

This flat, tree-shaded section of trail along the Coeur d’Alene River connects families to two small towns. The trailhead in Enaville at the I-90 Kingston Exit is a short drive from lodging in nearby Kellogg, making this historic Silver Valley town a great basecamp for checking out this section of trail. Near the small community of Enaville, the Coeur d’Alene River splits into the North and South forks. In Cataldo, the Sacred Heart Mission, at the Coeur d’Alenes Old Mission State Park, is the oldest building in Idaho. Constructed in the early 1850s, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Because the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes doesn’t directly connect with the state park, families should drive to the park.

Kellogg to Wallace

The most developed trail section with the easiest access to amenities is between these two Silver Valley towns. Both offer family-friendly activities, including museums and mine tours, as well as plenty of lodging, dining, and shopping options. Wallace also hosts many summer festivals and events, including the Huckleberry Festival every August. Here is a complete list of local attractions and special events along the trail and in other nearby North Idaho communities.

Family Biking Tips

To ensure your family bike-ride is safe and as easy and comfortable as possible, bring essential supplies with you, including a trail map; tire pump and bike tools and supplies to fix flat tires and any bike mechanical problems (e.g., broken chain); clothing layers; first aid kit; and plenty of water and snacks for everyone. You can download an interactive digital map of the trail that highlights trailheads, rest areas, historic sites, and parks here.

Be sure to follow Leave No Trace ethics—pack out all garbage. And of course, everyone should wear a bike helmet and obey road crossing signs. Keep to the right of the 10-foot wide trail unless passing another trail-user, whether a runner, walker, cyclist, or electric-wheelchair user. Try to limit long rest-stops to trail waysides and trailheads.

Planning Your Trip

A multi-day biking vacation on the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes based out of Harrison, Kellogg, and Wallace provides the opportunity to explore different trail segments with time to play and rest, whether it’s going out-and-back on the trail from town or driving among towns for different stays each night to explore other trail segments. Find more information about overnight accommodations in Harrison, Kellogg, and Wallace here.

(Sponsored Content)

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1. Harrison, Idaho, via Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes: Start your ride from the Lake Chatcolet trailhead at Heyburn State Park (Idaho State Park Pass required) for a flat, 9-mile journey (one-way). Pack your own water and Leave No Trace supplies (e.g., toilet paper, digging trowel)—there is no water access or restrooms along this rustic, paved trail. Once you reach the town of Harrison on Lake Coeur d’Alene, take the kids to the Harrison Creamery and Fudge Factory Ice Cream Parlor, famous for its creative flavors. Visit the city’s park, playground, and beach before returning to the trail. For the creamery’s seasonal opening date and daily hours, visit facebook.com/HarrisonCreamery.

• Kellogg & Wallace, Idaho, via Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes: Ride between these small towns on the paved trail and explore family-friendly stops in Wallace such as the Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum (open April-October), Sierra Silver Mine Tour (season opening May 1), and Wallace District Mining Museum (open May-October). In Kellogg, visit the Shoshone County Mining & Smelting Museum (season opening May 2) or do the Crystal Gold Mine Underground Tour, and eat at Hill Street Depot—a bistro pub with a great kids’ menu.

• Riverstone & Ramsey Parks via Prairie Trail in Coeur d’Alene: This 4-mile paved spur trail off the North Idaho Centennial Trail is family-friendly bike path with restrooms and playgrounds at each access point.

• Liberty & Underhill Parks via Ben Burr Trail: This 1-mile paved community trail connects these two City of Spokane parks. At Liberty Park, in the East Central neighborhood, there is a playground, restrooms, and aquatic center (open during summer), while there’s a splash pad, playground, and wooded hillside at Underhill Park.

• Cheney and Fish Lake via Columbia Plateau Trail: Starting from the trailhead near Fish Lake Regional Park (Discover Pass required), ride the paved trail 3.75 miles to Cheney, where the trail intersects with Cheney-Spangle Road. At this trailhead, turn right and pedal into Cheney or continue riding the trail, which now converts to crushed gravel, to Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. Family-friendly stops in Cheney include The Mason Jar, a café with a healthy kids’ menu; Get the Scoop, a locally-owned ice cream parlor; and Sutton Park by the EWU campus. You can also start your ride at the Cheney trailhead and pedal out-and-back to either Fish Lake or Turnbull. Visit wta.org for more trail details.

• Sand Creek & Serenity Lee Trails, Sandpoint, Idaho: Accessible from downtown Sandpoint, at Bridge Street, on the west side of the Hwy 2 and 95 overpasses, Sand Creek Trail heads north along the creek, which is popular with paddlers. Along the way, you’ll find benches and wetland viewing areas. (Note: On Google maps, Sand Creek Trail is labeled as Sandpoint Byway Trail.) The trailhead for Serenity Lee Trail, another paved multi-use trail, begins behind the Bonner County Courthouse (1^st Ave/Lake Street), near the overpasses for Hwy 2 and 95—parking and restrooms are available. It travels along the highway peninsula’s eastern shore, passing Dog Beach Park and crossing the 2-mile Long Bridge, using a wide pedestrian/bike lane. The trail continues on the other side of the lake, traveling into Sagle, Idaho.

• Kendall Yards via Centennial Trail: Start east of downtown Spokane, even if it’s simply Riverfront Park and bike with your kids to Kendall Yards where you can get ice cream from Brain Freeze, visit Spark Central (during drop-in hours), or eat lunch at Veraci Pizza. Ride further west on the trail to Olmsted Brothers Green, a neighborhood park at Nettleton Street, with a playground and grassy field. Hello Sugar donut shop is across the street.

• Mission Park via Centennial Trail: This 13-acre park along the river in Spokane’s Logan neighborhood, east of downtown, has a playground and, when seasonally open, a splash pad and city aquatic center. //

Plan Your Family Ride

For trail map and park information, visit these websites.

• Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes: Friendsofcdatrails.org or Parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/trail-coeur-d-alenes.
• Coeur d’Alene City Parks & Prairie Trail: Cdaid.org
• Spokane City Parks: My.spokanecity.org/parks
• Columbia Plateau Trail: Wta.org
• Centennial Trail (Spokane County): Spokanecentennialtrail.org

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For the uninitiated, cyclocross is a hybrid of road and mountain biking. The races are held on relatively short courses and last forty-five minutes (or less for juniors), which makes the sport challenging, fun, and family and spectator friendly. Riders go up and down ramps and stairs, through standing and running water, through mud and sand, and over barriers. They haul their bikes up steep hills that may or may not have spectators handing out liquid refreshments or heckling competitors (albeit in a supportive way).

All of this makes cyclocross the perfect entry into bicycle racing. CX develops the endurance needed for road racing and the technical skills needed for mountain bike racing. CX requires technical skills for maneuvering around tight, slippery corners on off-camber grass slopes, and the mountain biker’s ability to ride out technical descents into a mud bog. Additionally, having the “right” equipment is less important. Many racers start on mountain bikes before buying a cross bike. Some racers stick with the mountain bike.

While many CX riders are out for blood (mostly their own), everyone is out for the fun. Michael Emde of Emde Sports says one of the reasons CX is popular is the party atmosphere, where “everyone is having fun and no one is looking at your place. Getting dropped is not so demoralizing as it is in road racing.” Thanks to the shorter laps, spectators get to see racers multiple times—a plus for parents watching their kids and kids watching and razzing their parents. “The spectators are yelling and screaming. People are having fun [while] getting a workout,” Emde explains.

At a recent School of Cross Junior CX team meeting, parents and riders agreed that cyclocross is fun.  Coach Tom Ryse gives the same reasons as Emde when explaining why riders and spectators enjoy the sport. He adds that the kids and adults race the same course. When they participate as a family, the parents and kids can talk about the race and the course. More important, perhaps, are the friendships that develop among the riders on the team. “I guess that’s what makes it fun,” says Ryse.

“It’s fun!” is the reason each of the SoC riders gave when asked about why they race cyclocross. Liza Mattana says her daughter Maddie finds riding and racing fun because the smaller group of kids who make up the team is a good fit. “It’s a good community,” Mattana says. “They keep coming back because they like riding with each other.”  Some of the parents even end up following their children into the races. They come out to support their kids, see them having fun, and decide to give it a try themselves. If this sounds like fun to you, even if you don’t have children, come out and give it a whirl. You’ll be glad you did. //

Inland Northwest Fall Cyclocross Races

Wildwest CX Series

See Wildwestcxseries.com for current information.

• September 16 & 17: Helena, Mont.
• September 30 & October 1: Sandpoint, Idaho
• October 7 & 8: Bozeman, Mont.
• October 28: Missoula, Mont. (Finals)

Inland NW CX

See Inlandnwcyclocross.com for current information.

• October 7: Cougar Cross WSU Campus
• October 8: Palouse CX at Sky Ranch, Moscow, Idaho
• October 15: Riverstone, Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho
• October 22: Riverside State Park, Spokane
• November 4: Walla Walla, Wash.
• November 12: Walter’s Fruit Ranch, (Greenbluff) Mead, Wash. FINALS//

Bradley Beck teaches English courses at Spokane Falls Community College and loves to bike no matter the weather. He wrote about tips for booking vacation rentals in June.

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A.M. Cannon Park – West Central

Located at the intersection of Maxwell Ave and Elm, this 8-acre park has something for everyone – softball fields, tennis courts, horseshoe pits and playground equipment. Picnic tables and restrooms are also available, and during the summer the aquatic center is a great choice for families.

Coeur d’Alene Park – Browne’s Addition

As the city’s oldest park, the 10-acre grassy expanse and historic replica gazebo exudes a charming ambience. In addition to a playground and splash pad, there are restrooms, picnic tables, and courts for tennis and basketball. People throwing Frisbees or lounging on blankets while picnicking or reading books are common on sunny days. The playground’s old-school equipment, like the teeter-totter (aka see-saw) and metal slide, will delight both kids and adults.

Cowley Park – Sacred Heart Medical Complex

Located on the north, shaded side of Sacred Heart, this 2-acre park offers quaint, historic charm and simple amenities – a playground (recently updated), restrooms and picnic tables. A spring-fed stream still runs through the park, as it did when it was the site of Reverend Henry T. Cowley’s family home after he arrived in Spokane in 1874. Before that, it was a Spokane Indian tribal winter camp, according to Spokanehistorical.org. Spokane’s first public school was also established here, though none of the original buildings remain. Take time to admire the more than 100-year-old maple, ash and sycamore trees – all planted by Cowley.

Liberty Park – East Central

Before the construction of I-90 divided this park in the 1960s, it was one of the city’s treasured leisure destinations. Throughout its 22-acres, you’ll find fields and courts for softball, tennis and basketball, horseshoes, playground equipment, picnic tables, restrooms, and a city aquatic center. Another great feature is the Ben Burr Trail, a recently-paved community trail that heads one mile southeast to Underhill Park (2910 E. Hartson Ave.), a 19-acre neighborhood mini-park. Here you’ll find a splash pad, playground, and lots of grassy fields and sports courts. In the future, Liberty Park will be easier to access by bike from downtown, thanks to a lower portion of the Ben Burr Trail that will connect with the Centennial Trail.

Mission Park – Logan Neighborhood

Located off the Centennial Trail east of downtown, this 13.33-acre park along the Spokane River offers a variety of recreation options: splash pad and playground for children, tennis courts, softball/baseball field, horseshoes, and swimming at the city’s aquatic center.

Olmsted Brothers Green – Kendall Yards/West Central

This neighborhood park, created by Greenstone Corporation, is conveniently located off the Centennial Trail west of Kendall Yards’ business district. It’s both a great destination and cycling rest-stop with playground equipment, water fountains, and grassy field.

Polly Judd Park – South Hill

This 5.61-acre neighborhood mini-park overlooks Latah Creek and the BNSF railroad line. Features include a covered shelter with picnic tables, restrooms, playground equipment, loop trail that includes multi-level WorldTrail® fitness course stations along the way, and a large grassy natural area and trails along the bluff for exploration.

Wentel Grant Park – Latah Creek/Vinegar Flats

At 10.57 acres, this neighborhood mini-park nestled along Latah Creek is accessible via Inland Empire Way, which is a shared roadway for bikes and vehicles. Playground equipment, basketball, and a softball/baseball field are the activity options (restrooms also available). // (Amy Silbernagel McCaffree)

Bike Safety Tips

Before heading out with your kids on bikes, make sure all riders have helmets and that you and your children know how to ride safely. These tips from Stickman Knows, Spokane’s first comprehensive bike, pedestrian, and motorist safety awareness campaign, are a good place to start:

• Obey all regulatory signs and traffic lights.
• Never ride against traffic.
• Be predictable! Use hand signals to tell motorists what you intend to do.
• Ride in a straight line to the right of traffic (on two-way streets) and a little more than a car-door width away from parked cars.
• Always wear a helmet and never ride with headphones.
• Use lights and reflectors at night and when visibility is poor.
• Don’t pass on the right. Motorists may not look for or see a bicycle passing on the right.
• Dress for the weather. Dress in layers so you can adjust to the temperature and always wear bright clothing.
• Keep your bike in good repair. Check brakes and tires regularly.
• Learn more at Stickmanknows.org. // (OTM)

[Feature Photo by Amy McCaffree]

The post Pedal to The Park: Explore Spokane’s Parks by Bike appeared first on Out There Venture.

Centennial Trail

As the most well-known paved pathway in Spokane – with numerous access points along its 37.5-mile span, from the Washington-Idaho state line to Nine Mile Falls – this primarily flat trail along the Spokane River is a great choice for families. spokanecentennialtrail.org

North Idaho Centennial Trail 

Extends 24 miles from the Washington-Idaho state border and the Centennial Trail to Coeur d’Alene. nictf.org

Prairie Trail

The Prairie Trail in Coeur d’Alene is a 4-mile spur trail off the North Idaho Centennial Trail, making it a quintessential family bike path. Two kid-friendly access points include Riverstone Park (1805 Tilford Lane) and Ramsey Park (3525 N. Ramsey Road). Both provide restrooms and playgrounds. As you follow Prairie Trail northwest through town, it becomes more rural and scenic, eventually ending at Huetter Road.

Long Bridge Trail

Long Bridge, at Sandpoint’s U.S. Highway 95 south entrance, includes a right-of-way for bikers and pedestrians that parallels the highway and is separated by a concrete barrier. After crossing the 2-mile bridge, continue biking along Bottle Bay Road around the lake’s south shoreline. A parking lot to access the trail is located in downtown Sandpoint, one block east of 1st Avenue and Superior Street.

Fish Lake Trail

With trailhead access only minutes from downtown Spokane, Fish Lake Trail is popular and well-used. The trailhead is off S. Milton Circle, one block south of where Sunset Highway intersects with Government Way. Restrooms and a water fountain are available. After heading south for a few miles, adjacent to Highway 195, the trail becomes more woodsy and scenic as it veers west toward Cheney. 7.4 miles of paved trail are open to the public.

Columbia Plateau Trail State Park

Access points can be found near Cheney for this historic trail, though only 23 miles are currently open for public use between Cheney and Lincoln County. 4.75 miles pass through Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. A Discover Pass is required for parking. Parks.state.wa.us/490/Columbia-Plateau-Trail

Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes 

This rustic yet scenic 72-mile paved trail extends from Mullan, Idaho, southwest to Plummer. Family-friendly access points for the trail are located in Kellogg and Wallace, as well as Heyburn State Park where the trail crosses the historic Chatcolet Bridge, which marks the southern end of Lake Coeur d’Alene. The trail follows the lake shoreline through Harrison, where you can stop and enjoy ice cream from the Creamery & Fudge Factory. Pack along all the water your family needs – water is unavailable at trailheads, though you can refill your bottles at bike-friendly businesses in small towns along the trail route. Pay attention to posted warnings along the trail advising visitors to not touch any rocks or dirt along the trail that might be contaminated with heavy metals from past mining activities in the area. Friendsofcdatrails.org

Hiawatha Trail

Named a “Hall of Fame” trail by the Rail-to-Trail Conservancy, the historic 15-mile Route of the Hiawatha runs along the crest of the Bitterroot Mountains. It opens May 28 for the season (daily, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and is operated by the Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area. Starting at the East Portal trailhead, enjoy riding downhill the entire way, at a 2 percent grade or less, while passing through 10 train tunnels and riding over seven awe-inspiring trestles. The totally dark yet straight Taft Tunnel (1.66 miles) is an adventurous highlight – bike-lights and helmets are required and warm clothing layers are recommended, as the tunnel is cold even during hot summer days. Trail passes are available at Lookout Pass lodge (children age 5 and younger are free). Bike rentals are also available from the Lookout Pass lodge. You can also purchase a shuttle pass that provides your family and your bikes a bus ride back to where you started. Ridethehiawatha.com //

Finding the Right Children’s Bike Helmet

When it’s time to shop for bike helmets for your kids, keep in mind that local bike shops sell higher quality helmets than retail chain stores. “All helmets are regulated by the government, but certain helmets are safer than others,” says Brenda Mangine, owner of North Division Bike Shop. A good child’s bike helmet, she says, is adjustable like an adult helmet with side latch flip-locks, with retention systems on the back of the helmet so that the helmet shapes to the head. “Bell makes an inexpensive brand of helmet for big-box stores – they don’t have a retention system or locking straps,” says Mangine. Children’s helmets are sized in centimeters according to head circumference at the widest part of a child’s head. Here are some of the best options in the $30-$40 range that you can find at many local bike shops:

• Bell: Zipper, 47-53cm; Sidetrack, 50-54cm.
• Bontrager: Solstice for age 7+ (comes with visor), 48-55cm.
• Giro (pronounced “jeer-oh”): Me2 for infants, 48-52cm; Rodeo for age 2-5 approx., 50-55cm; Scamp, two sizes, 45-49cm and 49-53cm; and Raze, 50-57cm.
• Specialized: Small Fry, comes in a toddler size, 47-52 cm, and child, 50-55 cm; Align (universal adult helmet), 54-62 cm.

Family Bike Events

• May 21: Kidical Mass at Chief Gary Park, 1 p.m. summerparkways.com/kidical-mass
• June 21: Spokane Summer Parkways – Manito and Comstock neighborhoods, 6-9 p.m. summerparkways.com
• July 9: Spokatopia Outdoor Adventure Festival at Camp Sekani Park, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. spokatopia.com
• September 11: SpokeFest, Kendall Yards. spokefest.org
• September 17: Kidical Massive 3-mile scenic ride starting in Kendall Yards, 1 p.m.

[Feature Photo by Amy McCaffree]

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