CTS Yellow #3: Eastside Urban Loop

This CTS ride starts from the Bothell Park and Ride. **NOTE** There are no restrooms or water at the start!   Plan accordingly. The first Rest Stop will be at mile 2. 

We will be making a 20 minute rest stop at Enatai Beach Park at Mile 26, please don't forget to bring a lunch.

We start with a nice long fairly flat ride along the Sammamish River trail and fairly quickly make a rest stop at Wilmot Gateway Park in Woodinville (mile 2). Continuing southward on the Sammamish River trail and nearby roads, we make a rest stop is at Marymoor Park (mile 10). We then ride along the west side of Lake Sammamish and make a turn onto Newport Way to begin our longest climb of the day. We coast down into Factoria, through the slough, to Enatai Beach Park (mile 26) where we will take a 20 minute break for lunch.  We'll ride through Beaux Arts district, along urban Bellevue streets and Medina.  We'll take the 520 trail down to Lake Washington Blvd and into downtown Kirkland.  From there we climb Market Street hill, 100th Ave and have a grand downhill on Waynita Way. At the old Wayne Golf Course you may need to dismount and walk across the gravel parking lot. A short stretch along the Burke-Gilman Trail takes us to the fourth rest stop at Blyth Park (mile 41).  It is then a short ride back to the Bothell Park and Ride where we can celebrate our achievement for the day! There are quite a few hills on this route. Everyone may climb the hills at their own pace and we will regroup at the top.

Nutrition: As the rides get longer and the days warmer, it becomes increasingly important to consider nutrition and hydration as you prepare for your ride. After about 20-30 miles, most people have used up the readily available carbohydrates in the blood that keep them going. If you do not replenish these carbohydrates, you are likely to "hit a wall" and find yourself with reduced strength. On long rides, it is suggested that you regularly snack on something high in carbohydrates such as dates, a banana, or an energy bar even if you don't feel hungry. It is suggested that you start taking in carbohydrates at 10 - 15 miles and every 10 - 15 miles thereafter; after you "hit the wall" it's too late to try and replenish carbohydrates in your blood. Likewise, it's important to regularly drink even if you don't feel thirsty. In addition to snacks and plenty of fluid, it is suggested that you bring a lunch on all long rides. 

Be sure to bring a spare tube and tools to fix a flat, just in case. During the CTS series if you have a flat tire the group will continue without you. If you repair your tire in time, you may join a later group riding the route.

Please have full fenders if the roads are wet, or you may be asked to ride at the rear of the group.

We hosted a "Hydration and Nutrition for Long Rides" info session virtual info session earlier this week for CTS riders on nutrition and hydration planning for long distance rides. Topics covered included balanced nutrition, hydration, exercise, health care, glycogen stores, what to eat, sodium and electrolyte levels, supplements, and recovery. If you were unable to make the virtual session in real time, you may watch the recording of the session by clicking this link above and using the following passcode: GTy!nu@6. Here is a link to the slides used in this presentation.

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.

Please review the Comments Section before the morning of the ride for any final updates.  The route may be updated there as well as weather updates and cancelations.