How it Works

REGISTRATION

Registration for Bike Camp Walla Walla opens Friday, December 12, at 6:00 pm Pacific time. Starting then, you can go to our Register page at any time after that to sign up through BikeReg.com. Everyone who participates in the event needs to register individually – riders and non-riders alike.

We don’t plan to limit registration for this event, so there is not a huge rush to get signed up right when it opens. That said, we have a limited number of tent spots and dorm rooms, so it’s best to sign up sooner than later.

Rider Cancellation Policy

If you cancel for any reason more than 60 days before the ride (before April 8), we'll refund 75% of your base fee, plus 100% of your meal plan, tent/dorm fee and access fee, minus a $100 cancellation fee and transaction fees we've paid for you.

If you cancel for any reason between 60 days and 15 days before the ride (before May 24), we'll refund 50% of your base fee, plus 100% of your meal plan, tent/dorm fee and access fee, minus a $100 cancellation fee and transaction fees we've paid for you.

If you cancel for any reason within 14 days of the event (May 24 or later), we'll refund 50% of your base fee only. At that point we're obligated to pay all meal plans, tent/dorm and access fees.

PRICING

Base Price

There is a base price that covers the operational costs for the event. This includes the route support, free snacks and beverages, crew expenses, permits and insurance, etc. The base fees are $795 for riders and $395 for non-riders.

Whitman Access Fee

Whitman College charges a $60 access fee for everyone who attends a multi-day event on campus. This provides you with an electronic access card to get into buildings such as dorms, the Cleveland Commons dining hall, or meeting rooms for evening activities. We can't avoid this fee, which will be added on when you register.

Add-on Items

After you’ve paid the base fee, you can pay for your sleeping accommodations and meal plan separately through the Retail page on the BRNW website. You don’t have to do this immediately; for example, you can choose your meal plan closer to the event if you want to consider off-campus dining options first. But remember that there are a limited number of tent-camping spots (25) and dorm rooms (126 total).

SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS

You have a choice of sleeping arrangements for the event. First, you can book your own lodging at a property in Walla Walla. We’ve made arrangements with The FINCH Hotel and the Marcus Whitman Hotel, both within walking/riding distance of the Whitman Campus. You can contact them directly to book a room; see details below.

The second choice is to reserve a dormitory room at Whitman College. There are single and double-occupancy rooms available; see more information below.

We also have up to 25 tent-camping spots available. See more information below.

And finally, we've arranged for a limited number of RV parking spots next to campus. See more information below.

Lodging

To book a room at The FINCH Hotel, use this special link to reserve a room at a discount. The FINCH is a fun, renovated hotel with a midcentury theme, and it was recently named Conde Nast's #1 hotel in the Pacific Northwest. It’s only a few blocks from our location on the Whitman campus.

Or try the Marcus Whitman Hotel, a stately historic property with modern amenities. You can use this link for a special event rate. It’s located less than a mile from campus.

If you book your own lodging, there’s no need to order or purchase sleeping accommodations through BRNW.

Dorms

We’ve reserved two floors of both Stanton and Anderson halls on campus. Both buildings are adjacent to the Cleveland Commons dining hall. Dorm rooms are $70 per night for single occupancy, and $50 per person per night for double occupancy, and you can choose to stay five or six nights. You’ll pay for the room on the BRNW Retail page. See more dorm details below.

Tent Camping

We have permission to put up to 25 tents in the area between the dorms and the dining hall. These will be BRNW Tent & Porter tents. Tent camping will be $245 for one person and $175 per person for two, for five nights. You can add a sixth night (Friday) for $25 per person. You’ll pay for the tent on the BRNW Retail page. See more tent details below.

Tent Camping – Details

The 25 BRNW tents will be set up on the lawn, and each one will be numbered. Each tent is 8 feet by 8 feet, and we’ll provide a ground cover and fly as well as one or two chairs.  Toilets and showers in both dorm buildings will be available for tent campers to use.

Dorm Rooms – Details

There are 60 single rooms and 66 doubles available between the two dorm buildings. The beds in Stanton have Full XL mattresses, and in Anderson they’re Twin XL. Each room comes with linens, pillow and blanket, and towels. Each wing of the dorms has its own lounge, fridge and basic kitchen (no cooking equipment), and there are multiple gathering areas in each hall. The shower stalls and toilets are private and non-gendered. Two important notes: 1) The dorms are not air-conditioned; and 2) Bikes are not allowed inside the dorms; we’ll provide a secure storage corral just outside.

RV Parking

We've arranged for RV parking for a limited number of vehicles. You can park in a church parking lot that's adjacent to campus. There won't be hookups (although there is an RV park nearby, as another option), but we'll have a portable toilet and handwashing station available at the lot, plus you'll have access to showers and bathrooms on campus. RV spots are $25 per night, and you can purchase one on our Retail page.

VEHICLES

RV Parking

RVs cannot be parked on campus. We've arranged for a nearby parking area that accommodates RVs (see the note above).

Vehicle Parking

We’ll arrange free parking for all participants’ vehicles, as near to the dorms as possible. You’ll have access to your vehicle at all times.

Bike Parking

Bikes are not allowed in the dorm buildings. We’ll have a secure, monitored parking corral in the Stanton Hall parking lot.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

Meal Plans

You’ll choose exactly which meals you’d like, on which days, to create an individual meal plan. All meals will be served at Cleveland Commons by Whitman College’s award-winning food service from Bon Appetit. Breakfast is $14, lunch is $18, and dinner is $25. This includes a full meal with multiple options, as well as unlimited beverages.

We want to encourage participants to eat at local establishments as well. So you could choose only three dinners on campus – Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, for example – for your meal plan, and then eat in town on Wednesday and Thursday. You don’t have to have breakfast or lunch in the Commons, either – it’s your choice for each day.

You’ll create and pay for your meal plan on the BRNW Retail page.

Meals

Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served each day in Cleveland Commons. Bon Appetit offers award-winning food service, including locally sourced food whenever possible. Meals are buffet-style, with multiple main course options. We’ll post daily menus before the event.

Drinks and Snacks

As with other BRNW tours, there will be free beverages and snacks each day in camp – in this case inside Cleveland Commons, which will be open from breakfast through dinner. A variety of self-serve fountain beverages (sodas, juices, sports drinks, lemonade, etc.) will be available all day, and Happy Hour will run from 2 to 6 pm, with free snacks and drinks, including one free beer or wine each day.

Route Stops

Each day’s route will feature one or two rest stops, positioned so that the short route option includes at least one. These will be traditional full-on BRNW rest stops. There will also be water and toilet stops.

Alcohol on Campus

Alcohol is allowed inside the dorm buildings, but you can’t take it outside. Additionally, alcohol is allowed in Cleveland Commons throughout the day (we’ll have a permit) – but again, it must stay in designated areas.

ROUTES AND RIDING

Route Options

Each day’s route will have at least two options – short and long. The short options are between 25 and 35 miles, and the long options are between 50 and 65 miles. The short options follow the same route as the long options, but use shortcuts to reduce the total mileage.

E-bikes

E-bikes are welcome on the event, as long as they’re pedal-assist and not throttle-driven (if you don’t have to pedal to start going, that kind of bike isn’t allowed). We’ll have a free bike-charging station available on campus, within the bike corral if possible.

Support

We’ll have four or five SAG vehicles patrolling the route each day, able to help riders with minor mechanical problems, emergency water/snacks, basic first aid, etc. There will be certified EMTs on the route and in camp for medical issues.

Points of Interest/Education

The night before each ride, a representative of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) will give a presentation on that route’s cultural and historical significance to the tribes. In addition, points of interest along each route will be highlighted.

OTHER ELEMENTS

Activities and Entertainment

We’re building a comprehensive lineup of activities throughout the event. This will include a program each evening after dinner, featuring information on the next day’s route followed by a specific educational, cultural or entertainment activity. This will include Native American culture, wine tasting, live music, a downtown “sip and stroll” evening and more.

For non-riding partners, there will be activity options each day while the riders are out on the route – art walks, cooking classes, spa trips and more.

Wednesday, the middle day of the event, is designated as a “layover day” – the ride that day is optional, and there will be more activities scheduled during the day so riders and non-riders can enjoy them together. We’ll also be encouraging people to have dinner in town this evening, to support local restaurants.

Bike Shipping/Rental

We’re proud to partner with Bicycle Barn in Walla Walla as our shop partner. You can ship your bike to/from the event with their help. Here's a handy BRNW Bike Shipping.BCWW26 form that you can print, fill out and send to Bicycle Barn. (We suggest a call to the shop first, to let them know it's coming.) The key is to make sure your bike arrives in plenty of time for them to assemble it, if you need that service. If you'd prefer to assemble/disassemble it yourself, our mechanics team will being your bike box to camp on Sunday, June 7, and return your packed-up box to the shop on Friday, June 12. Unfortunately, there are no bike rentals available in Walla Walla.

Fundraising/Donation Opportunities

Bike Camp Walla Walla is a nonprofit event that directly benefits the Šináata Scholarship program for Native American students to attend Whitman College. The scholarship covers all expenses for four years, and this event’s goal is to provide funding for one student for one year.

There are multiple ways you can contribute to fundraising:

• You’ll have a chance to donate directly to the fund when you register – there will be different tiers/packages available, with all contributions going to Šináata
• During the event we’ll have multiple items and packages available for a silent auction, with the proceeds going to Šináata

In addition, if you’re interested in gathering donation pledges, or offering a matching amount for others’ donations, please contact us.

All donations will be made directly to Whitman College and applied to the Šináata Scholarship fund, and they’re tax-deductible.