Leavenworth Bike Fest revives old traditions while charting a new course

LEAVENWORTH— Participation in the annual Leavenworth Bike Fest doubled this year as nearly 400 mountain bike riders took part in the three-day event, underscoring the festival's rapid growth as both a community tradition and a fundraiser supporting Leavenworth Ski Hill's trail network.

On Friday night, attendees of the fest gathered at the base of the big hill to watch as competitors participated in a new tradition, one for those willing to race gravity without the aid of two wheels. The Bavarian Cheese Wheel Chase, inspired by European cheese-rolling competitions, invited participants to chase a wheel of cheese down Ski Hill’s grassy slope during Friday’s Locals Night festivities. 

Festival Director Jamie Howell said the idea came to him after seeing coverage of cheese chases held in Europe and realizing Leavenworth’s landscape offered the perfect setting.

“The cheese is in fact a WHEEL, which is a vital part of every bike,” Howell joked. 

Charlie Lynch became Leavenworth’s first Bavarian Cheese Wheel Champion, and took home an authentic full wheel of Cambozola Triple Cream Bavarian Blue Cheese imported from Bavaria and a $100 gift card from local business Bushel & Bee in addition to substantial bragging rights. 

While echoing cheers proved the cheese chase was a crowd favorite, it represented only a small part of the weekend’s activities. Riders from across the Pacific Northwest competed in a variety of mountain bike trail races, gravel events and road rides, including the Bike ‘n Brews Long Course, and the 100-kilometer Alpen Tour de Flüsse. From youth Bike ‘n Juice events to elite competition, the festival offered events for cyclists of all ages and experience levels.

The growth of the Leavenworth Bike Fest went beyond the drastic increase in attendance. Organizers also introduced new initiatives aimed at expanding the sport. Last year’s “Queen of the Fest,” professional racer Emma Maaranen, developed the SheRides Initiative to encourage more women to participate in mountain biking events. The program included webinars, customized training plans and an in-person preparation clinic designed to help newcomers feel more confident in getting to the starting line.

Bike Fest itself is rooted in Leavenworth tradition. The event grew out of the former Bike ‘n Brews and Bike ‘n Juice races, beloved community events that ran through 2018. This year’s festival honored those roots by bringing back camping at the Gibbs Organic Farm, the original home of Bike ‘n Brews above Freund Canyon. Other elements of the weekend may have been familiar to longtime participants, such as the Leisure Class, a community favorite in which participants ride at their own pace, cheering on and occasionally heckling racers. As in years past, live music from main stage performers energized spectators between race starts, finishes and awards ceremonies. Vendors provided food and beverages, and a beer garden created a space for attendees to socialize and unwind.

“It takes a lot of incredible people and partners to commit this much time, effort and money to a community event,” said Howell. 

The significance of the involvement of the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance is immeasurable, Howell said, adding that the funds raised during the festival go to support the maintenance, improvement, and building of bike trails at Leavenworth’s Ski Hill, an important benefit to the robust population of mountain bikers in the Leavenworth Valley. 

Hazel Eschen: 509-731-4392 or hazel@ward.media