FRY VAN FAN FAVORITE AGAIN AT STP BIKE RIDE

On Saturday, July 13, 2024, the Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) staff and new Chair of the Commission, Kraig Knutzen, set up the Fry Van at the Centralia College campus, marking the 101-mile point of the Kaiser Permanente Seattle to Portland (STP) Bicycle Classic. This 206-mile bike ride starts at the University of Washington’s Husky Stadium in Seattle and ends at Holladay Park in Portland, Oregon. Some participants aim to complete the ride in a single day, starting as early as 4:00 a.m. To help them endure the journey, the WSPC Fry Van positioned itself among various activation and water stations, quickly becoming a favorite stop. Riders, eager for the carbs, potassium, and sodium provided by Washington fries, flocked to the Fry Van at this halfway point. “Yay, the French fries! We look forward to these every year,” one rider exclaimed as he rode up to grab a bag!

While some cyclists push through the entire 206 miles in one day, many choose to complete the ride over two days. This year, the WSPC once again offered their popular #poweredbypotatoes cooling towels, soaked in ice-cold water, to help riders cool down in the 90-degree heat. These cooling towels were a huge hit, providing much-needed relief from the sweltering weather.

During the event, WSPC staff engaged with riders, discussing the nutritional benefits of potatoes and the reasons behind their support for the STP. They also introduced Team Potato, signing up about 30 new members on the spot.

WSPC has been a sponsor of the STP event, organized by the Cascade Bicycle Club, since 2019. With numerous potato enthusiasts in the group, it’s always enjoyable to hear their stories about how they incorporate potatoes into their diet to sustain their energy before, during, and after the ride. Educating new riders on the importance of proper nutrition for fueling their bodies is equally rewarding. This year, the STP saw 6,000 participants, and WSPC served nearly 2,000 servings of fries, helping to keep the riders energized throughout their journey.