Eastside Social Ride (with Hills)

This ride is designed as a basic endurance and aerobic fitness social ride that will maintain a slower steady (training zone 1, 2 & 3) pace (50%-75% max heart rate). Since there are two components to cycling; physiological and psychological – both of which are important, there will be an optional social gathering after the ride to meet and connect with Ride Leaders and fellow riders. Please arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the published start time to ready your bike, check in, and participate in the SMART safety discussion.

This ride starts at the South Kirkland Park & Ride. We’ll roll out gently thru downtown Kirkland and warmup by climbing Market Street (3.1%), the first of seven climbs for the day. After descending Market Street, we will embark on the 2.5 mile Juanita Drive climb (3.4%). Following a lively descent from Juanita to Kenmore, we’ll head east for the first rest stop at Blyth Park on the Burke-Gilman Trail. Next, we’ll pick up the pace and travel to Woodinville, then migrate south on the Sammamish River Trail to our next rest stop, Marymoor Park. Continuing our journey south we ride on West Lake Sammamish Blvd where we will encounter our third climb of the day (2.9%). After regrouping at Sunset Elementary School, we pass under I-90, then turn west to climb 1.5 miles of Newport Way (2.6%). After dropping down from Newport to Factoria, we’ll work our way back through Beaux Arts Village, Old Bellevue, and Medina (photo op), where we complete our final climbs (2.6% to 3.6%) of the day, then cool down by descending the 520 trail and spinning back to the ride start. An optional post-ride recovery meal will be at Hector’s in downtown Kirkland.

Please pre-register for the ride using the red "Register Now" button at the top of this page. Registration is not mandatory but it allows us to print the rider list beforehand and save time at the ride start.  On-line registration closes three hours prior to ride time, and if you decide to ride after that, we will have a waiver sheet for you to sign manually.   

If you are a new rider, we are very happy to have you with us.  Please read the New Rider link and keep in mind that a helmet is required for all Cascade rides. Also, riders should be able to sustain the pace, carry nutrition/water, and have the know-how and equipment to fix a flat tire.  Everyone should carry a phone to call for assistance if needed. We will regroup frequently, especially after climbs and at major intersections. 

A route map and cue sheet are on the RideWithGPS link, below.  If you want a cue sheet please print and bring it.  The ride leader will not have extra copies.

Cancellation Policy: If needed, a weather cancellation will be posted two hours prior to the ride start time in the Comments section below, and the ride leader will not be at the start. Please check here before leaving for the ride. 

Rest Stops: Blyth Park MP 12.3, Marymoor Park MP 22.6, Enatai Beach Park (Optional) MP 36.9

Post-Ride Recovery Meal Location: Hector's Restaurant, 112 Lake St S, Kirkland, WA 98033