It's that time once again.
The Fourth of July has passed and the Seattle summer can officially begin. In addition to weekend barbecues and sunny afternoons at the community pool, Magnolia residents can participate in the Magnolia Helpline's 14th annual Bike the Bluff fundraiser taking place Saturday, July 16, at 9 a.m. The event is open to everyone.
"It's just a fun biking event," said Bill Whitham, who has been a member of the Magnolia Helpline board of directors for three years. "It's not timed and there aren't any awards. People come and register and take off on their bikes and determine how far they want to ride."
There are two different Bike the Bluff routes around Magnolia, both of which begin near Magnolia's "Pop" Mounger Pool. Both routes go through Discovery Park and back up to 34th Avenue West, at which point riders can decide whether they want to continue on or call it a day. The two different routes measure out at roughly four miles and six-and-a-half miles.
In the past, Bike the Bluff has tended to be a family oriented activity, Whitham said, though everyone is encouraged to participate. There are no major changes in this year's event, he added, so for those people who have continued to enjoy the event year after year, this year's fundraiser promises more of the same.
Riders have a culinary incentive to complete the bike ride in the form hamburgers, hotdogs and salmon, all donated by Magnolia Thriftway and available for a small fee at the registration area between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Participants and non-participants alike are welcome to attend the barbecue, with all proceeds from refreshment sales going to Magnolia Helpline. In addition to refreshments, there will also be Bike the Bluff t-shirts for sale.
"[The t-shirts] have come to be a collector's item," Whitham said. "I saw at least three people wearing them when I was at the (Magnolia) farmer's market this weekend."
There is also a Bike the Bluff raffle at Magnolia Thriftway, 3830 34th Ave. W., with the prize being an old-fashioned bicycle and tickets donated by New Belgium Brewery. Tickets are on sale now ($2 for one ticket or $5 for three) at Thriftway, and will also be on sale the day of the event.
The Magnolia Helpline is a neighborhood agency designed to aide Magnolia families and individuals in need. The Helpline provides assistance with such things as rent, utilities, food and transportation.
Magnolia Helpline operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and primarily serves Magnolia residents including senior citizens and people on long-term disabilities. The organization gets about 600 calls a year.
The organization survives on donations from the community, Dana at Helpline said, and wouldn't be able to operate if it weren't for the support of the Magnolia community.
In addition to Bike the Bluff, Magnolia Helpline also sponsors the Moonlight and Merlot, a popular wine-tasting fundraiser held every year.
Registration for Bike the Bluff currently is underway and will continue until race day on July 16. People wishing to register early can call the Magnolia Helpline at 285-2491 or pick up tickets at Peoples Bank in Magnolia Village. Registration will also take place the day of the event at "Pop" Mounger Pool, beginning at 9 a.m. Tickets cost $12 per person, $25 for a family and $5 for children under 12. Early registration tickets are slightly discounted.
Registration covers not only the bike ride but admittance for an after-race swin in Mounger Pool the day of the event only.variety of community participants. Photo by Bradley Enghaus[[In-content Ad]]
