The half-day ride through the Green River Valley starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 2 at the Herbert Bayer Earthwork, located at Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks Park, 742 East Titus St. Free parking is available in the neighboring Senior Activity Center at 600 E. Smith St.
Bicyclists can connect to the Earthworks Tour via the nearby Interurban Trail -or- connect via transit at nearby Kent Station. The tour connects the Herbert Bayer Earthwork (Kent), the Robert Morris Earthwork (SeaTac), the Green River Natural Resources Area and Lorna Jordan’s Waterworks Garden (Renton).
Everyone is welcome to join the celebration. In addition to hosting the Inaugural Ride for bicyclists, the Kent Arts Commission invites community members, arts enthusiasts and historic preservationists to the starting line to celebrate the restoration of the Herbert Bayer Earthwork.
The inaugural ride offers three routes for different riding abilities. The Easy Ride, recommended for families, is a 12-mile, flat ride to the Green River Natural Resources Area and back. The Intermediate Loop is a 20-mile ride that takes riders through the Green River Natural Resources Area and out to Lorna Jordan’s Waterworks Gardens. It is also mostly flat with a single, long incline approaching Waterworks Gardens. The Advanced Ride follows the 20-mile route but includes a steep hill climb up to the Robert Morris Earthwork that adds 3 miles.
All of the roadways and trails along the tour are paved. Visitors can bike to each location but should plan to walk through the earthworks.
Beginning riders interested in the 20 mile loop – and families with children planning to follow the 12 mile route – will have the opportunity to ride in a group with experienced ride leaders who will convene at the start line at 9 a.m. Departures will begin at 9:30 a.m., with the family group departing at 9:45 a.m.
Rest stops will be located at the Green River Natural Resources Area and Waterworks Gardens. This family-friendly event will include theater, music and site specific installations along the route. In particular, this event features artist-made, low-impact vehicles.
Several dignitaries will be at the starting line including Kent Mayor Suzette Cooke, State Sen. Joe Fain, State Rep. Pat Sullivan, State Rep. Dave Upthegrove and Dana Ralph, Kent City Council member.
Registration is available at www.KentArts.org/earthworks.
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