Music in the Mountains

Rick Gersbach

Bike builders Winter Bicycles will be at the 2010 Sound To Mountains BikeFest in North Bend, Wash., on Aug. 8.

The Sound To Mountains BikeFest is a bit of a family affair: It’s being organized by the Levee Breaking, a Seattle arts non-profit started by siblings Jesse and Rachel Perrell. The fundraiser, which includes a bike ride and music festival, was inspired in part by the long trips-by-bike the two did with their father, who also helped Jesse plot the route many festival-goers will take. Throw in the helping hands of friends and friends of friends and you’ve got a good idea of how this bike and music festival came together.

Lisa Douglas

“It’s taking all the things I think are awesome and combining them,” said Jesse Perrell. That meant bringing bikes and a bike ride together with good food, brew and music for a day of fun and celebration.

Five builders – three from Oregon and two from Washington – will be at the Aug. 8, 2010 event with their work. “Our intent was to showcase Northwest bike builders as artists,” Perrell said, “and raise cultural awareness of them.”

The bikes might be the focus, but don't discount the rest. Perrell said the music is really, really good. On hand will be Pufferfish, Exohxo and Shenandoah Davis, among others. “From working with musicians in Seattle for a decade, these are my favorite people.”

And even though it’s called Sound To Mountains, Perrell said the course is “a pretty accessible century (ride). It’s not fantastically hilly.” Cyclists will travel 104 miles (167 kilometers) on the supported ride from Magnuson Park in Seattle to the festival site at Bybee Nims Blueberry Farm in North Bend, Washington.

A festival pass (plus three for friends and family) is included in each rider’s $65 registration fee. For those who’d rather take a less physical route to the festival, transportation is available for $10 – but sign up soon as the deadline for shuttle reservations is Aug. 2 – and festival passes are $12.

Perrell is still looking for volunteers – perks include ride registration for next year and a free festival passes for friends or family. You can find more information and the volunteer application form online.