Midweek Tune-Up LITE (featuring 5 of the 7 Hills of Kirkland )

Our regular Wednesday ride is happening on Thursday this week, and it's a "lite" version; still based on the classic "7 Hills of Kirkland" route, this time we'll bypass Seminary and Winery hills. This change removes about 8 miles, all of the steepest climbs, and about 700' of elevation gain compared to our regular route. It retains some good sustained climbing, but the gradients are a bit more relaxed.

We'll ride out of the parking lot at the far east end of 60 Acres park, on the south side of 116th /York.

The new Redmond Connector will deliver us to our warm-up on Rose Hill, then we'll climb Market, Juanita, Norway, and (part of) Kingsgate hills in turn. Relax between the climbs on relatively flat stretches, at a "social" mid-brisk pace.

Riders who can hang with the group on hilly moderate-pace rides are welcome; regroup points are marked on the Ride With GPS route/cue sheet, so you can take the hills at your own pace and we'll regroup at the top. We'll try to stay together (and pause to regroup occasionally between climbs as needed), but riders who might find this hilly course challenging should bring navigation aids, in case you find yourself substantially off of group pace and need to finish on your own.

Faster-than-brisk riders are welcome to join us and ride ahead of the group on hills, if you don't mind hanging around for the regroups (and the relaxed pace between climbs). The ride becomes self-led for those ahead of or behind the group.

We will observe the speed limit on the multi-use trails.

Sanicans at the start, proper restrooms/water at the 60 Acres lot just to the west of this one (you can see the building on the south side of 116th/York on the way to the start). Restroom/water at Marina Park, mile 9.2. Quick (20 min.+/-) Starbucks break at mile 17.2.

Route map and cue sheet at the Link, below.

Bring tools and knowledge to repair flats; we'll pause briefly for flat repair and minor mechanicals, but have a phone and a plan to get home/back to the start if needed. 

If there's a chance of precipitation, fenders with long mud flaps are recommended, for safety and courtesy. Anywhere the road is wet, if you don't have flaps close to the ground, you'll need to take the initiative to stay behind everyone with better fenders.

Please register at least two hours in advance on this website to save time at the start. You can also register at the start. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early for briefing and ride prep so that we can leave on time.

In case of cancellation for any reason, the ride leader will not be at the start, and notice will be posted here at least two hours prior; please check "Comments" (below) before heading to the start (and check your email, if you registered online).