SPU to East Lake Sammamish w Coffee

Join me at the West Ewing Mini-park (at the beginning of 3rd Ave. West, on the Seattle Pacific Univ. Campus, ) for a 56 mile ride over to Lake Sammamish with a stop for coffee at the classic Issaquah Coffee Company. 

Please note: During COVID-19 Phases 1.5 and 2, all Free Group Rides are limited to six total participants: the Ride Leader and five others. Registration for the ride (using the red “Register Now” button above) is REQUIRED to participate. If you decide not to ride, please unregister for this ride so that an additional spot will be made available to another.

Face coverings (for mouth and nose) are required when the group makes extended stops. Face coverings are recommended for the duration of the ride. Please bring personal hand sanitizer,  disinfecting wipes and tissues for use at rest stops.

The Route:  The route takes us over to Freemont, where we pick up the Burke Gillman trail over to UW, then we go across the lake on the 520 bridge to our first climb up 116th Ave. along the Bridle Trail State Park and then over to Marymoor Park. Then we will head down the East side of Lake Sammamish, cross I-90 and go to the Issaquah Coffee Company for a coffee and bathroom break.

Being fully charged up with caffeine, we start our way home by climbing up Newport Way (note, I encourage the first person up Newport to go back down and accompany the last person coming up - which may well be me) before our descent into Factoria where we pick up the I-90 trail across the lake to Seattle (Note, there is a VERY Steep climb after crossing the lake and getting off I-90.) Then we follow Lake Washington Blvd. to the Arboretum and then, for a change, we take Boyer to the University Bridge where we pick up the Burke and head back to our starting point at SPU .

NOTE - We will be following COVID-19 social distancing practices, and I will ask all riders to stay at least 10-12' apart when riding and at least 6' apart when stopped. Since I am in the high risk category (due to age) I will ask all riders to stay behind me throughout the ride and will encourage you to wear your mask. We will climb and descend hills at our own pace, and our goal will be to stay together and regroup as necessary at the top and bottom of all hills. Since I am a slower climber, I will ask anyone who is faster to go ahead at the beginning of the hill and wait at the top.

Start Time:  Let's meet at the West Ewing park 10 minutes before the published start time (i.e 9:50 am) for our pre-ride safety briefing, with a departure at 10:00 am. We will go over hand signals and what we say during the ride to keep ourselves safe.  

Restrooms and water are NOT available at the start. There will be a restrooms available at about mile 15, 25, and 47 with a Starbucks stop for water and espressos at about mile 30.

Fenders and tubes:  Bring a spare tube and tools to fix a flat, just in case. Please have full fenders. Even if it is not raining, when the roads are wet, rooster tails from bare tires are a safety issue for other riders.  Fenders with long mudflaps show that you care about others. Riders without friendly mudflaps may be asked to ride at the back of the group.

WEATHER:  If, between 8:00pm and 10:00 pm (depending when I can check it) the night before the ride, Weather Underground forecast predicts a greater than 30% chance of significant rain, the ride will be canceled. I will send everyone who has registered an email that night advising of the cancellation and post a ride-cancellation notice in the Comments section on this club page; and I will NOT be at the start. 

Also, if there are unexpected showers the morning of the ride, or if there are other unforeseen hazardous riding conditions, I will post a ride-canceled note in the Comments section below and email everyone who has registered at least two hours prior to the start and I will not be at the start location. 

I hope you can join me!