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APPLICATION QUESTIONS <br />Please answer each question completely, in the order listed, on a separate sheet attached to <br />this application. Please include any supporting data within the response narrative. <br />1. Please provide a description of your project/event and identify the specific tourism <br />audience/market that your organization will target with these funds. You must include an <br />itemized list of exactly how any grant funds awarded will be utilized. <br />Flying Bighorn Derailleur 80k <br />Come ride the road with Forterra for 2 -days during the second weekend of September and <br />discover the natural beauty of Central Washington State! Kittitas County features diverse and <br />spectacular habitats ranging from snow-capped mountains, thousands of acres of public forest, <br />lush riparian corridors and endangered shrub -steppe open space. The Yakima River Canyon is <br />winding, scenic and challenging cycling course that covers 80k (50 miles) return. <br />The Flying Bighorn Derailleur 80k will offer challenging on -road and off-road rides, vendors, <br />keynote speakers, local wine & beer tasting, and social events! The Flying Bighorn Derailleur 80k <br />occurs in the fall to ensure truck traffic is not on the road at the same time as cyclists, and shows <br />off the most beautiful time of the year in the Canyon. <br />The Yakima River Canyon is a deep gorge cut into Columbia Basin basalt by the ancient Yakima <br />River. A popular destination for cyclists, though underappreciated for its technical challenges, it <br />is the oldest scenic byway in Washington State, established in 1968 and protected mostly in <br />public ownership. The Canyon boasts attractions for both an on -road course (SR821), and an off- <br />road mountain bike course (Skyline Trail). <br />With over 1.1 million annual drivers and thousands of cyclists visiting the Canyon annually, the <br />Flying Bighorn Derailleur 80k is sure to be a very well attended event. Forterra anticipates <br />between 150-250 attendees in our first year. We estimated attendance numbers based on: <br />+ similar bike events in the state that regularly attract hundreds of attendees <br />a survey the Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway partnership conducted in 2014 (100% of <br />respondents will travel away from home for a cycling event; travel an average of 100-200 <br />miles for a cycling event; 70% stay overnight and stay an average of 2 nights) <br />• the Kittitas County Tourism and Recreation Plan that identifies cycling as the very popular <br />activity (54% of survey respondents definitely planned on visiting the Yakima River <br />Canyon; 69% of survey respondents definitely planned on participating in recreation <br />including biking), and <br />WA State SCORP with nearly 37% of tourists engaging in bicycling activities. <br />Flying Bighorn Derailleur 80k will be a registration -fee based event targeting cyclists throughout <br />the Pacific Northwest. Flying Bighorn Derailleur 80k will feature Friday afternoon registration at <br />headquarters based in Helen McCabe Park. Most attendees will camp on site at Helen McCabe <br />Park, in the Canyon or at the Yakima River RV Camp. In addition, we will secure partnerships with <br />Canyon River Ranch Lodge and other local hotels to provide reduced and/or group rates for <br />event attendees. Friday evening activities will include music and drinks at a local venue to be <br />determined. Saturday morning will begin with an early road ride (the 80k should take between 3 <br />County -wide Lodging Tax Application P a g e 1 10 <br />