Winter Training Series (WTS) 1: Redmond Loop

This is the first of this year's nine Winter Training Series rides.  WTS weekly rides are on Sundays, starting January 8th and ending on March 5th. During this nine-ride series, distances progress from about 34 miles to 100 miles. WTS is a great way to do some early season training, with a natural buildup of miles, while enjoying the company of other riders. Winter riding is tough enough--this gives you a chance to do it with friends. 

Our first ride is a slight variation on an old theme. We will start at Element Cycles in Redmond and head over Education Hill to Cottage Lake, along Redmond Ridge to Union and Tolt Hills.  There are some short hard-packed gravel "cut-throughs" to get us into even quieter neighborhoods.  We then return via Sahalee and Adelaide to Redmond for some hot cider and cookies at Element Cycles. 

Generally all the Winter Training Series rides start at 9:00 AM except the last one. The 100-miler on March 5th will start at 8:00 AM. Please be at the start early enough to have your registration confirmed, pump up your tires, adjust your fenders, and put all your warm clothes on. Registration check-off begins at 8:30 AM. The mandatory ride & safety announcements are at 9:00 AM, and we start riding when that is completed.  If you miss the briefing, you will not be able to ride with the group. Registration prior to the ride start is required. Click the red "Register Now" button at the top of this page. Registration cutoff is 4 hours prior to ride start time.

These are self-paced and self-guided rides, with friendly encouragement and lots of camaraderie from other riders (many of whom are experienced with group riding). THERE ARE NO REGROUPS IN THIS SERIES. For more general information, please follow the link below to Introduction to WTS.

VERY IMPORTANT: If you desire a cue sheet, please go to the route link below and print one for yourself.  There won't be any available from the ride leaders.

All rides are rain or shine. We might shorten a route for really foul weather, but the only outright cancelation will be for snow or ice.  We may delay the start if we believe that the conditions will be safer a bit later in the day.  CHECK THIS WEBPAGE BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME. 

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

As always, please watch out for each other, local traffic, and respect traffic laws.  This includes sticking to posted speed limits on any trails we might be using.  Use special care at the ride start which will be crowded before riders spread out.

Directions to Start: Near the east end of SR 520, take the Marymoor/E. Lake Sammamish Parkway exit. Turn left at bottom of ramp onto Redmond Way. Right on 160th Ave NE. There should be plenty of parking in adjoining lots or on the street.  Please don't park directly in front of the shop; let's leave that for the customers.