RAPSody 2012 Venue Overview

Start/Finish in Tacoma, Washington

Tacoma Community College, 6501 S. 19th Street, Tacoma, WA, 98466

Start Line: All riders must depart on Saturday between 6:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. One-day riders should start no later than 7:30 a.m. The course closes at 5:00 p.m. each day for the two-day riders and at 8:30 p.m. for the one-day riders. Course hours are based on daylight hours this time of year. Our rest stops and ride support are timed accordingly. Make sure to pickup your rider bib and other goodies at the start-line before leaving on Saturday.

Parking: Free Parking with security patrols is available at Tacoma Community College.

Food: Free ice cream (with ride coupon) as well as other snacks at the finish line. There are also many restaurants nearby.

Music: Mostly Water will be playing Americana roots music at the finish line..

Showers: Provided FREE at Tacoma Community College at the finish line and Shelton High School for overnight guests. your own towel and toiletries.

Luggage: You leave your luggage at the start, we deliver it to Shelton High School by noon and also to three area motels: Shelton Super 8, Shelton Inn, and City Center Motel. On Sunday, luggage must be loaded onto the truck at Shelton no later than 8:30 a.m. and will be available for retrieval at TCC from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Overnight in Shelton, Washington

Shelton High School, 3737 Shelton Springs Road, Shelton, WA, 98584

Accommodations: Indoor and outdoor camping space and use of gym showers at Shelton High School are included as part of the ride. Be sure to bring your own towel. RVs can dry camp in the school parking lot. NO CLEATED SHOES INSIDE ANY SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

There are three motels in town where we will deliver and pickup rider luggage. Camping at the fairgrounds is another option.

Right is a rough map of Shelton showing the approximate location of the high school in the upper-left quadrant.

Food: Rootbeer floats will be sold for $3 at the high school between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Very refreshing after a long ride.

Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast are available at the high school in the cafeteria. Sign up for meals on-site or when you register. Meals are prepared and served by volunteers from SOCK supported by local Kiwanis as a fundraiser for the local youth center. The dinner menu is all-you-can-eat lasagna, potato and salad bar, bread, beverages, and dessert.

Many restaurants and a grocery store are located within easy walking distance of the high school. More restaurants, including the high-end Xinh's, are located in downtown Shelton.

Music: THE RHYTHM KATZ will perform in a nice outdoor venue behind the cafeteria from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. This four-piece classic rock band performs rock and blues dance selections from the 1960s to today.

Massage: Century Massage will be on site from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. Saturday offering 30-90 minute massages. You can reserve your time online.

Transportation: FREE bus service from Mason Transit will make a special stop on Route 5 to connect the high school with downtown Shelton. First trip at 1:20 p.m., last return trip at 7:45 p.m.

Luggage: Will be stacked near the stadium for pickup on Saturday. On Sunday, luggage must be loaded onto the truck no later than 8:00 a.m. and will be available for retrieval at TCC from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.