Chillin' on the Hills Training Ride: Newcastle, Issaquah & Renton

Are you currently in a hill training series and looking for one more training ride before Chilly Hilly? Are you in a progressive hill training series now and wanting to try a steady-light ride? If you answered, yes, then this may be the ride for you. This ride is a modified version of a CHEW (Climbing Hills on the Eastside in the Winter) South training route, offered in steady-light, meaning the pace remains at a steady pace (12-14 MPH), but some of the elevation and mileage has been shaved off the original route. Although a steady-light ride, please keep in mind when considering this ride, it is a challenging, training ride geared towards those who are currently training in a progressive weekly training series or for a rider who has been riding regularly throughout the winter and enjoys climbing hills.

This week's ride will take us up to 1,925 feet elevation, and we will circle around Renton, Newcastle and Issaquah for a total of 38 miles. We will take a coffee/pastry break at Issaquah Coffee in Issaquah. The ride will start and finish at the Old Renton Courthouse parking lot.There are restrooms located in the neighboring park.

Pace: Steady, 12-14 MPH on flats. Hills are self-paced, and we regroup at the top hills for a reasonable amount of time. Be sure to download the route or print the cue sheet (see the link below). A few cue sheets will be available at the ride start. Please note: For any riders who are unable to maintain the pace and keep up on the flats, the Ride Leaders may not be able to stay with you, so you will need to be comfortable riding on your own or make arrangements to have someone come and pick you up. We want everyone to ride hard but to have fun and get back safely.

Requirements: Helmets are required. Fenders are also required if the roads are wet or there is any chance of rain. Please arrive 20 minutes early in order to sign the liability release, check-in and hear the safety S.M.A.R.T. briefing. In order to ride, you must be present at the safety S.M.A.R.T. briefing. Please ensure your bike is in good working order before joining and come prepared with the requisite tools and knowledge to fix flats and minor mechanical issues. Spare tube, tire irons, pumps or CO2, and allen tools are recommended.

Sign Up: Preregistration is encouraged for this ride prior to the day of the ride. If you preregister via the Cascade website, please be sure to check in when you arrive for the ride and check your name off on the waiver. On ride day, please check in with the Ride Leaders, Wendy Nungesser or Melanie Kelsey near a white Volkswagen Golf in the parking lot.

Below are instructions for registering via the Cascade website.

 1) Sign into (or create) a Cascade account at www.cascade.org
  2) Open this ride announcement and click on the "Register" button underneath the ride title at the top.
  3) On the Registration page, check the Waiver Signature release box (please read or review the Waiver & Release by clicking the link below the Waiver Signature box). Don't change the number in the "Spaces" box.
  4) Fill in the Emergency phone number space with the number of your emergency contact person.
  5) Click on the "Save Registration" button. Now you are registered for the ride.

If you can't make the ride you do not have to unregister.

You may also RSVP on Meetup, see link below.

Weather cancellation: Steady rain or icy/frosty roadway conditions at the ride start will cancel. Be sure to check back to this posting or Meetup for possible weather cancellation two hours before the ride start (8 AM). In the event of a cancellation, ride leaders will not be at the ride start.

If you are a new rider to Cascade Free Group Rides, we welcome you! Please click on the link and read important information for Cascade Bicycle newcomers: http://www.cascade.org/welcome-newcomers.