It's easy to forget how beautifully situated Loleta is, tucked away in the Eel River Valley, nestled betwixt the south bay, the Eel River and the Pacific. Take a closer look at the landscape around the bucolic burg by bike or on foot during the Tour of Loleta on Sunday, July 13. There are several courses, from a family friendly, flat 8-mile ride all the way to a 107-mile ride. You can register the morning of the event starting at 6:30, but you might want to register early on Friday, July 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Loleta Elementary School.
With any number of miles under your belt, you're gonna work up a mighty appetite. The Loleta Chamber of Commerce wants you to replace that grumbling in the pit of your stomach with something from the grill pit. Swauger Station Days is a celebration of Loleta's geography and railway history that comes with barbecue ($12, $6 kids under 10). Park your bike and head to the Loleta Firemen's Pavilion and Tom Carr Park to gorge on roasted meat, enjoy some live music and take a ride on a speeder car courtesy of the Timber Heritage Association.