Get on Your Bike in Kirkland

Been off the bike for a while? Bought a bike and not yet confident riding? Time to take advantage of nice weather to get riding for health, fitness or just fun! Here is your opportunity to develop riding skills, become more familiar with your bike and feel confident riding in a group.

We will start and finish at the Chainline Brewing Company in Kirkland, next door to the Google Campus and near the Cross Kirkland Corridor. Our Kirkland-Bellevue route takes us first to Houghton Beach Park for a rest stop at about the one mile mark and then west to the 520 trail with an out and back on the 520 bridge.  The route then goes south along Evergreen Point Road, Overlake Drive E and Lake Washington Boulevard.  As we turn north, we stop for a rest stop at the new Bellevue Downtown Park before winding our way through Bellevue to 116th Ave NE and a climb east to the start of another section of the 520 Trail.  Our return continues as we leave the trail to go north on 140th Ave NE, west on Old Redmond Road, and the 80th Street pedestrian overpass to return to Chainline Brewery. The route involves climbing some hills but we ride them at our own pace and always regroup at the top.   After the ride, join us at the brewery for refreshments and more conversation about biking.

Please park at the far south end of the parking lot.  Arrive 20 minutes before the published start time to ready your bike and check in. 

This is a social ride with experienced ride leaders to grow your confidence with group riding. It is free and open to everyone. The route is somewhat longer than previous Get on Your Bike in Kirkland routes but still consists of trails and bike-friendly streets with easy climbs so you can practice shifting gears. Everyone will ride the hills at their own pace and we always regroup at the top and before any turns so you need not be concerned about being left behind.

"Leisurely Pace" is 10-12 mph on flat surface without any headwind. We will go slower on hills and with a headwind and faster going downhill. Average walking speed is around 3 mph, so we be 3-4 times faster!. If you aren't sure about your pace, please join us anyway, but study the route and bring a printed the cue sheet with you. We can help you read the cue sheet if you need to return to the start early. 

You should dress appropriately for the weather, but you do not need spandex or other specialized bike gear. All you need is a working bike, a water bottle and a helmet. If you haven't ridden your bike for quite some time, please do a ABC Check (link below) or take it to your local bike shop a few days prior to the ride date. It is recommended that you bring a snack to eat mid-ride.

During the safety and ride briefing, we will go over hand signals and what we say during the ride to keep ourselves safe.

Register - Please sign an e-waiver by clicking on the “Register Now” button at the top of this page (right below the ride title) and enter your information. If you cannot make the ride, you do not need to unregister.

Weather - Showers or more severe weather will cancel the ride.  Ride cancellation will be announced in the comments section at least two hours before start time and the ride leaders will not be at the start.

If you have questions, please contact the Ride Leaders.