Midweek Tune-Up (7 Hills Kirkland)

Join us for some social climbing on a variation of the classic "7 Hills of Kirkland" course.  

We'll ride out of the South Kirkland Park and Ride (NOTE new start location, for easier freeway access).

After a short cruise along the Kirkland waterfront, we'll take a rest stop at Marina Park, then climb Market, Juanita, Seminary, Norway, Kingsgate, Winery and Rose Hills in turn. Relax between the climbs on relatively flat stretches, at a "social" low/mid-brisk (17mph +/-) pace.

This route avoids the construction on Juanita Drive.

Riders who can stay with the group on hilly moderate-pace rides are welcome, too!  Because group rides have only recently started up again, anticipate a more relaxed pace than usual for this ride. Regroup points are marked on the Ride With GPS route/cue sheet; take the hills at your own pace. We'll regroup at the top of hills, but if you might find this hilly course challenging, please bring navigation aids (in case you are substantially off of group pace and need to finish on your own).

You can subtract hills if you want; you can easily bypass Seminary Hill (Holmes Point) and wait at the regroup point noted on RWGPS if you want to save some energy for later.

Faster 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.

First restroom/water stop at Kirkland Marina Park, mile 2.5. Quick (20 min.+/-) stop for coffee at "The Den" at mile 14.5 (outdoor seating available). An optional rest stop is available at 132nd Square Park, mile 27.3

Route map and cue sheet at the Link, below.

Bring tools and knowledge to repair flats; if rider schedules allow 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 and/or wet roads, fenders with long mud flaps are recommended. Anywhere the road is wet, if you don't have flaps close to the ground (about 2" or less), 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; late registration online or at ride start is no longer available. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early for briefing and ride prep so that we can leave on time.

Note: If weather conditions meet the weather cancellation criterion listed above or if there are unforeseen hazardous riding conditions or other unexpected events, the Ride Leader will post a ride-canceled note in the Comments section below at least two hours prior to the start and Ride Leader(s) will not be at the start location.