Stinky Spoke, the local mountain bike ride held on a day with typically the “stinkiest” weather of the year, was last held in January of this year. With hundreds of riders participating each year (over 500 in 2018), Stinky Spoke is a highly popular, sometimes rain-driven ride. A Facebook notice this fall stated that 2018 would be its last year: a new business opportunity meant the founder/producer needed to move on.

Now, riders are getting some good news. Rotary Club of Redmond, the civic group that hosted the 300-mile RedSpoke ride for over 30 years, has taken over production of Stinky Spoke. The ride will take place on March 9, 2019, on a route through Redmond that includes many of the classic features of the now 19+ mile mountain bike ride, including the famous climb along the Tolt Pipeline known for its “Heart Attack Hill,” a 300 foot climb. The poker ride feature returns as well. Playing cards are collected at stops on the route, with each rider hoping to have the poker hand good enough at the end to win a prize. Riders will receive a Stinky Spoke beanie, pint glass and drink ticket.

New this year: the ride will launch from Redmond City Hall campus, where the after-party will take place in a big tent with Post Doc beer and entertainment by the band Massy Ferguson.

Registration is $45 through January 21, and $55 thereafter. Registration and more information is available at http://stinkyspoke.net.

All proceeds will assist Redmond Rotary to provide significant support to nonprofit efforts at home in Redmond and around the world. Over a million dollars has been raised by the club over the last decades to support critical efforts, such as well development and hygiene in Ethiopia (to name just one effort), programs for youth, low-income people and special needs in Redmond and polio eradication world-wide.