Eastside Hills #23 (Brisk)

Join us for a ride from Hidden Valley Park in Bellevue on a 65-mile ride at a brisk pace (16-18 mph on the flats.)

This week's ride does something different for our group.  Instead of staying on the east side we are going to ride over to Edmonds, take the ferry to Kingston, ride a little of the Kitsap Peninsula, take the bridge over to Bainbridge Island, ride around Bainbridge, take the ferry back to Seattle, and return to the start through Seattle and across Mercer Island.  This is a beautiful, scenic ride and is particularly appropriate on a hot day because of the time we spend near the cool shoreline.  This is also a very hilly ride - 5700 feet of climbing in 65 miles.  Bainbridge is a hilly place.  Also, please not that although the Ride With GPS route says the total distance is 78 miles, that includes two ferry rides.  Our total biking distance is about 65 miles.

As with all rides, you can ride the hills at your own pace and we'll regroup at the top, so strong riders can zoom up while others don't need to worry about being left behind.  We'll also limit our speed on any multi-use paths to the legal maximum (usually 15 mph.)

Let's meet at the Hidden Valley Park in Bellevue. Please be ready to ride at 8 a.m.  Note the new location and start time.  We will start with a required safety briefing, and roll out when that's done. If you miss the briefing you will not be able to ride with the group.  

Please bring money for the Edmonds-Kingston ferry or a pre-printed ferry ticket.  Ferry fare for a bicycle and rider is $10.25 for those 64 and under, and $5.60 for people 65 and older. You can buy tickets at the ferry terminal or you can buy them in advance on line.  The ferry trip from Bainbridge to Seattle is free.

Restrooms and water are available and there is free parking at the start.  The ferries have restrooms and offer some food, but we also have a food stop at a Safeway store on Bainbridge Island.  

Bring a spare tube (or two) and tools to fix a flat, just in case. Please have full fenders if the roads are wet, or you may be asked to ride at the rear of the group.

Note: If there is steady rain or hazardous riding conditions, such as poor air quality, 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.  During the ride we will tolerate light rain or brief showers, but if we encounter heavy rain we may return early.

We hope you can join us!