How about a Tour de Northwest bicycle race?

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, August 1, 2023

With the Tour de France complete and its glorious racing, aggressive climbing the likes of which not seen In years. But, not one listing of the stations on TV in The Herald’s TV listings.

What is The Herald thinking? In traditional stadium-confined sports, one to two hours of competition and it is all over; no scenery, no mountains, no forests, no down hills at breakneck speeds, uneclipsed by traditional American sports, Rugby and soccer included. More fan participation from all over Europe yet not here in America?

Why was this telecast at 11 p.m.. when most folks are already in bed? Why were there so many programs interfering so that the beginning of each event could be seen from start to end? May I remind you this is an international, once a year event and it is treated as if an afterthought. American riders are involved.

There should be a Tour de America in the Pacific Northwest. Beginning in Washington state and ending in Washington state through Oregon, Idaho and displaying all our famous national by-ways, the Columbia River, Washington and Oregon coasts, and the Idaho Panhandle.

Envision riders crossing the pass to Wenatchee down the Tumwater Canyon. Visualize the crossing of the Waterville Plateau then down into Coulee City scablands into Dry Falls. The Columbia Highway 14 to Bridge of Gods and back on the old highway to Portland, Highway 101, Sherman Pass, Grand Coulee Dam, Clear Creek Road to Missoula, the Wallowas and more. Promoting the sport and beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

Sam Bess

Stanwood