North Lake Loop with Gravel and Coffee

BOOM fall has arrived and it is time to start up the North Lake Loop weekly rides. Today's route is a variation on the traditional North Lake Loop we've been doing. The ride starts at Log Boom Park with a warmup along the Burke Gilman Trail before climbing partway up Waynita Dr.  A neighborhood detour will take us back to the main route into Juanita, then we'll take another detour along Forbes Creek Dr over to the Gravel portion of the ride, the Kirkland Cross Corridor Trail, which is hard packed and road tire compatible.  We'll head into Kirkland for a brief restroom stop at the Marina, then ride along the east side of Lake Washington to the 520 Trail and up to the bridge.  The 520 bridge often offers beautiful views of the lake and sometimes of 'the Mountain' across the water.  A ride around the University Stadium takes us to University Village where we will stop for refreshments at the Starbucks.  After our morning coffee we will have a short ride on the Burke Gilman Trail to warm our legs back up before the final climb up Sand Point Way, through Olympic Hills and back to Log Boom Park.  Please do not park in the Log Boom parking lot.  Let's leave that for on-site park users,  Park on NE 175th Street. just east of the park.

This will be a moderate paced social ride that will stay in the mid-range (+/- 15 mph) on the flats.  We will climb at our own pace and regroup at the top of each hill.  Please review the route ahead of time and print your own cue-sheet as the ride leader will not have copies at the start.  Regardless of the weather predictions come prepared with the appropriate rain gear and fenders with buddy flaps on your bike, both for your comfort and the safety of the rider behind you.  We will ride in light rain but steady rain cancels, as does ice/snow.  Ride cancellation will be announced in the comments sections of this post 2 hours ahead of the ride start.  If canceled the ride leader will not be at the ride start.  

Please register for the ride by clicking on the “Register Now” button.  Note you will need to be signed into your account prior to that.   Registration is not mandatory, but it allows us to print the rider list beforehand and helps us save time at the ride start. Riders should be able to sustain the pace, carry nutrition/water, and have the know-how and equipment to fix a flat tire. We strongly suggest you carry a phone to call for assistance if needed.  Arrive at least 20 minutes early so that you can get yourself ready, sign the waiver, and listen to the S.M.A.R.T. briefing. This allows us to have an on-time departure.

Come join the fun, enjoy the fresh air, toast your comrades with your favorite Starbucks drink and get a couple good hill climbs in for your weekend exercise!