Washington Potato Commission executive director Chris Voigt will again lead a team in the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic in July.

Voigt has participated in the two-day, 206-mile bike ride several times before. The potato commission is a main sponsor of the event, among other athletic events throughout the state.

“Athletes are the most nutrition-conscious folks, particularly endurance bike riders or endurance runners,” Voigt told the Capital Press.

The commission has learned through focus groups that roughly half of such athletes eat potatoes during events, he said.

“We’ll find a lot of bike endurance riders will bring little potato wedges or baby potatoes with them and eat them while they ride,” he said. “A lot of marathon runners and ultra marathon runners also bring a little pouch of potatoes they can eat. It’s a complex carb, it’s giving them the energy that they need. It’s so much easier on your stomach eating potatoes than it is taking an energy gel.”

Fry van

A commission-sponsored “fry van” disperses french fries to participants at the halfway point.

About 5,000 to 6,000 people participate in the annual ride, Voigt said. They get a shirt that includes the commission listed as a sponsor and “free potato swag.”

The potato team

The commission team is comprised of 11 members. There was enough interest from another 10 people, Voigt said.

It’s a mix of potato farmers, industry folks and a friend of Voigt’s from elementary school.

The team will camp out overnight. Many teams stay in a hotel or motel, “but I think every hotel room has been booked probably three years in advance for this event,” Voigt said.

The bike ride website offers a suggested training program, which recommends starting with small, about 5 miles, and building up endurance.

Voigt’s travel schedule as commission executive director doesn’t allow him to find much time to ride. He rides his bike eight times, starting at 10 miles up to 70 miles, with trips to the gym and some smaller bike rides.

“It’s a blast, it’s got a great vibe and is very well organized,” Voigt said of the bike ride. “It’s literally a ride with 5,000 of your best friends …And of course you get to eat potatoes which is an extra bonus for me.”