Midweek Tune-Up (featuring 7 Hills Kirkland)

NOTE 11:00 START TIME THIS WEEK.

Plan on a more relaxed pace than usual, since some of us (ahem) have not ridden for a couple of weeks.

PLEASE NOTE SLIGHT ROUTE CHANGE. Since there's a chance of ice early in the ride, we'll avoid the elevated spiral overpass walkway and steep trail sections on NE 60th in Kirkland. This substitute route (RWGPS link below) stays on roads on the south end of the route (like the Classic 7 Hills course). Also, the coffee stop has been moved closer to a climb to get us warmed back up faster. The remainder is unchanged from our "normal" route.

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, Seminary, Norway, Kingsgate, and Winery Hills in turn. Relax between the climbs on relatively flat stretches, at a "social" mid-brisk (17mph +/-) pace.

Riders who can hang with the group on hilly moderate-pace rides are welcome, too! Regroup points are marked on the Ride With GPS route/cue sheet; take the hills at your own pace and we'll regroup at the top. We will try to stay together, 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.

It's possible to bypass Seminary Hill (Holmes Point) and wait at the regroup point if you want to save some energy for later. It's also easy to bypass the final climb, Winery Hill, and head back to the start (keep going straight on NE 132nd St at mile 26.5 and pick up the tail end of the route in a mile. There are other shortcuts available as well.) So if you are ready to navigate, you have the option to cut back the climbing to fit your needs. Also, the group may cut the route short due to weather or road conditions.

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.

Sanican at the start, proper restrooms/water at the 60 Acres lot just to the west of the start location (you can see the building on the south side of 116th/York on the way to the start). Restroom/water at Kirkland Marina Park, mile 9.3. Quick (20 min.) stop for coffee at "The Den" at mile 25.

Route map and cue sheet at the Link, below.

Bring tools and knowledge to repair flats; we may 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).