Training for Spring #1: Lake Sammamish Loop (Moderate)

Training for Spring is a 10-week series intended to keep our legs moving and warm throughout the winter and preparing us for spring training rides. Optional social gatherings are available before and after the rides to meet and connect with Ride Leaders and fellow riders. Our mid-ride rest stops will be brief in an effort to retain body heat. Please arrive 20 minutes before the published start time to ready your bike, check in, and participate in the SMART safety discussion.

The 1^st of our 10 week Training for Spring series starts at Peet’s Coffee in Redmond (near Whole Foods). We’ll ride south along East Lake Sammamish to warm up and eventually wind our way up Newport Hill. After heading north along 161^st/164^th, we’ll take a quick pit stop at Lake Hills Park and continue through Marymoor Park. Our well-deserved post-ride meal will be at Flying Saucer Pizza.

VERY IMPORTANT: If you want a cue sheet, please go to the RideWithGPS link below and print one out for yourself.  There won't be any available from the ride leaders.

To save time and to make the sign-in process much easier, please register for this ride. If you already have a Cascade account make sure you are logged in and click the <Register> button at the top of the ride description, then make sure to check the box indicating you have read the Waiver & Release, add your emergency phone number and click <Save Registration> button. Don’t worry if you can’t make the ride, you don't need to unregister. If you don’t have a Cascade account consider setting one up! It only takes a couple of minutes and won't cost you anything. If you’ve pre-registered all you need to do is check off your name at the start of the ride – no lengthy sign-in procedure.

Rest Stops: Lake Hills Park MP 18.5

Post-Ride Meal Location: Flying Saucer Pizza, 14712 NE 91st St, Redmond

Rider Safety and Responsibilities: You must wear a properly fitted helmet and follow Cascade’s SMART guidelines. Earphones/earbuds, speakers, and aerobars are strictly prohibited while on a Cascade ride. If roads are wet, roostertails from short fenders and/or inadequate mudflaps are a safety issue for following riders so full fenders with long mudflaps are strongly recommended.  Those who come without will be required to ride at the rear of the group.  

You should be able to sustain the posted pace. Please be sure you have the equipment and knowledge to fix minor mechanical issues (flat tires, dropped chains, rubbing fenders, etc.), plus a cue sheet to get home on your own or a phone to call for assistance if needed. The Ride Leaders’ responsibility is to the group, and it is at their discretion whether to stop for individuals’ mechanical issues; they will, however, stop for all medical issues and emergencies.

Nutrition and Hydration: Riders must bring their own food and drink. Our rest stops will have water fountains but will not have an option to purchase food or beverages.

Group Communication: Communication is key for individual and group safety. Please pass communication to the rider directly behind or in front of you. If such communication is done well, the Lead and Sweep will hear each other’s hazard communications passed through each and every rider.

Regroup Policy: We will regroup at safe places whenever the Sweep is beyond sight distance from the Lead, primarily at the top of hills, at critical turns or past intersections. If a safe regroup point isn’t available, we will “soft pedal” (ride well below pace) to allow the split group to reconnect and resume the posted pace.

Cancellation Policy: If there is heavy rain, high winds, flooding, ice/snow or other unsafe riding conditions, Ride Leaders will cancel the ride. Ride cancellations will be posted in the comments section on the Cascade site, two hours prior to the start time. If such posting takes place, Ride Leaders will NOT be at the start. A ride may also be canceled at the ride start or during the ride for safety reasons. CHECK THE CASCADE WEBPAGE BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME.