RJ's Walla Walla Bicycle Map

The City of Walla Walla, with input from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee, makes a fairly fantastic bicycle map both of in-town bike routes for commuters and also longer excursions for recreational cyclists. This map is available at our local bicycle shops, Allegro Cyclery and Bicycle Barn, as well as the Chamber of Commerce and other locations.

The map appropriately folds out to 18 by 24 inches and it is rumored that the next generation map will be even larger. The map highlights a lot of useful information for a cyclist, including bike lanes, routes, trails and more. If you are new to the area or just new to bicycling, this map is a very helpful resource.

However-- I found that as a local, I wanted:

• A smaller map, that's easier to pull out quickly and read.
• Less information that I don't really need.
• More information about the ride-ability of roads to quickly scan for an ideal route.

Also, when I give out a bike map, I usually suggest highlighting more roads that are especially good for cycling. So finally, I just decided to..

MAKE MY OWN WALLA WALLA BIKE MAP!

I highlighted roads according to my personal opinion (and no scientific study!) of each street's ride-ability. It is possible and to be expected that my idea of ride-able roads may vary from another person's idea of ride-able roads. However, this map is always a work in progress! If you think that I inappropriately marked a road or intersection, please leave a comment on this post and let me know!

These maps are intended to be printed out on a regular 8 1/2" by 11" paper. You will likely have to make an adjustment on your Printer Preferences to make sure it fits the paper.

Click to enlarge.

This map includes a larger area than the close-up below.

The streets are labeled:

• BLUE, for bike lane
• GREEN, for great for bikes, very light traffic, highly residential
• YELLOW, for good for bikes, light traffic, wide shoulders, sometimes residential
• ORANGE, for ok for bikes, steady traffic, few shoulders, speed limit over 30, sometimes more than one lane in direction of travel
• Orange DOTS, frequent congestion
• Red DOTS, exercise extra caution in this intersection

Click to enlarge.

This map is a close-up of the map above.

Frequent Congestion and Extra Caution Intersections are labeled as such because they may:

• Experience increased traffic when the school day starts or ends.
• Have poor visibility.
• Require a confident and experienced cyclist to maneuver through safely.

Gorgeous Gray Day

I realized that a lot of the landscape photos that I take from my bike don't necessarily include my bike-- but it's the very fact that I took them while on my bike that makes them special to me. To let the viewer in on my intent, I am trying to incorporate my bicycle into my landscape shots more often-- or at least present them as a set.

I'm getting into the habit of doubling up on rides to get the length I need or want. So I went for an easy spin before taking my junior cycling team out for practice. This is Walla Walla, on what I call a 'gorgeous gray day.' Gray clouds have a lot of attitudes-- ranging from menacing to depressing. Today the clouds were like a warm blanket, nursing the adolescent green shoots.

Here's the route:

Bicycling Walla Walla: Cheers to Waitsburg!

Photo left: I carried an empty growler in my backpack for 20 miles and a full growler for 20 more!

The scenario: You're in Walla Walla, you've brought your road bike and you just can't sip another wine.

The solution: a ride to Waitsburg. Either bring a backpack to lug home a growler (as I did) or add an extra hour or two to your expedition to enjoy your beer over a pizza.

Laht Neppur Brewing Co. is a relatively new brewery in Waitsburg, 20 miles north of Walla Walla. Laht Neppur brews on-site and offers a full spectrum sampler. Currently you could enjoy (descriptions from their website): 

• Hefeweizen: Our lightest ale, smooth with a soft finish
  
• Kolsch: (German style beer) Light fruit flavors, more complex with a hint of hops
  
• Spiced Autumn Ale: A festive seasonal beer with a holiday spice taste
  
• Golden Ale: A step up from ordinary pale ales, more body with a light honey finish
  
• Nut Brown: Light roasted malt with a lingering nutty finish
  
• Oatmeal Porter: Roasted coffee flavor with a chocolate finish that lasts
  
• Cream Stout: Dark roasted coffee flavor with slightly bittersweet creamy chocolate finish
  
• India Pale Ale (IPA): Lightly aromatic with lots of citrus and grapefruit. Lasting bitter finish
  
• Scottish Ale: Malty goodnes that warms you

The atmosphere is unassuming, as reflected in their grub menu: BBQ pulled pork with chips, chili dogs, hot wings, pizza and other hot and saucy relatives. You'll also find a big screen playing 'the game' and friendly service. Also, it should be noted that families are welcome and there is an outdoor seating area. For more on Laht Neppur, visit their website.

You may also be interested in:

Jim German Bar. Upscale. Jim German also manages the bar at 26 Brix.

There you can get:
French 75
A favorite post WWI expatriate bracer from Paris.
Gin, lemon, rock syrup finished with Cremant.
$7.00

Whoopemup Hollow Cafe. Hearty. Expect to be more than full upon departure.
There you can get:

LUNCH
The "Waitsburger" 
Fresh ground ribeye with grilled onions & Dijon special sauce served on Our house-made buns
Choice of cheddar, pepperjack, or swiss cheese 9.95
add hotlinks 2.95 add bacon 2.00 add pt. reyes blue cheese 1.95
add grilled portobello mushroom 2.00  

DINNER
Bry's Famous Jambalaya
with andouille sausage, tasso ham, duck, chicken, okra and rice 20.95

Whetstone Public House. Warm. A "full service bar with affordable drinks." Their house-made pizzas are fantastic with any of their 10 beers on tap. Check their website for occasional musical guests.


THE ROUTE

If you ride Lower Waitsburg Road into town and Middle Waitsburg out of town, you will be riding part of the Tour of Walla Walla road race course and face a sizeable climb, likely into a headwind, as you leave Waitsburg. (Be sure to click "Show Elevation" when viewing the map.)

This area is fairly exposed and doesn't have very many trees, so it is not recommended on especially hot or blustery days.

Length: 40 miles

Difficulty: Medium, Hard on a windy day!

Hart Rd.

Hart Rd. blushing with snow in late winter.

Length: 33miles

Difficulty: Medium

Description: A great route for a hill workout. Gently roll for about 10miles until you hit a series of hills on Hart Rd. My max mph record was achieved descending the last hill with a tailwind! This easily turns into a loop if you don't mind riding on highways- but I do, so I usually ride the same way home which is just more good climbin' anyhow!

Ride notes: Head west toward Prescott or east toward Waitsburg to create a loop.

Kooskooskie/Mill Creek

Farms and fields along Mill Creek Rd.

Riding into the trees up Mill Creek Rd.

Length: 30 miles

Difficulty: Easy to Medium

Description: This is a Walla Walla classic. If you had time to go on only one ride in Walla Walla, this just might be it. Spin past vineyards and farm yards and then escape into the shade of the cool wooded creek. A top choice for a hot day. It's a very gradual uphill on the way out and you won't be able resist speeding home in your big ring.

Ride notes: Do avoid during icy or bug season. In the morning you might get a headwind both ways, but otherwise the tailwind usually favors the way home. This route follows the Mill Creek bike path. A nice detour is to turn onto Tausick (which you have to cross to stay on the bike path) towards the airport for some locally roasted java @ Walla Walla Roastery.

Spring Creek

Smith Rd.

Spring Creek Rd.

Length: 26 miles

Difficulty: Medium to Hard, depending on how fast you climb!

Description: Spring Creek is a favorite place of mine to go on a sunny day. The climb up Spring Creek is about 5 miles long and gradually steepens as you ascend. In herd-like clumps you will find various jagged trees that find creases in the land where water collects the most hospitable. And as the road turns you're always left thinking, "I think the pavement ends around this corner," but to either your delight or your misery, it never does.

Ride notes: Avoid this area during the cold/icy season. Parts are shaded and take a long time to thaw. There is currently a short section of gravel on Smith Rd., but it is so short (couple hundred meters) and there are enough good lines that it shouldn't be a bother. You may notice on the map that Sapolil East Rd. goes more directly to Spring Creek, but it too turns to gravel and for a much longer distance. Unless you're fond of the rocky stuff, stick to Smith Rd. which isn't terribly longer and just as beautiful anyhow. Spring Creek turns to gravel at the top- if you're a good gravel rider you can continue on to a network of other rides- otherwise, be nice to your road tires and enjoy the descent.