Midweek Tune-Up (easing into 7 Hills Kirkland series #5)

Join us for some social climbing on this modified version of the classic "7 Hills of Kirkland" course.

To help us ease into our 7 Hills route after taking a few months off, we've been riding the approximate outline of the regular route while bypassing some climbs. This week's route will become our "regular" route going forward (all 7 hills except for Kingsgate, which we'll bypass due to road construction, but including the 153rd Place climb that isn't on the "classic" 7 Hills route).

We'll take Market and Juanita out of Kirkland, with Seminary Hill (Holmes Point) as well as the 153rd PL climb off of Juanita like last time. We'll climb Norway Hill, then to avoid ongoing construction on NE 132nd St, we'll bypass the Kingsgate climb via Juanita-Woodinville Way NE. This ride adds Winery Hill, which we've bypassed previously. We'll finish by climbing Rose Hill (Old Redmond Road) on the way back to the start. Compared to ride #4, our total distance barely bumps up from 35.7 to 37.1 miles, and elevation gain from 2400 to 2700. We'll relax between the climbs on relatively flat stretches, at a social moderate pace (15 mph +/-).

If you would like the option of bypassing some climbs, download the " optional bypass route/cues" Ride with GPS route at the link below; you'll be able to skip 1-3 hills and rejoin the group at a regroup point or rest stop later on the ride.

Be ready to ride near the back (East) end of the South Kirkland Park and Ride at 10:00.  We'll start the required pre-ride briefing at that time, and ride when the briefing is done. If you miss the briefing you will not be able to ride with the group.

No restroom at the start, but we'll stop at Marina Park at mile 2.5.

THE "MODERATE" PACE RATING REFERS TO GROUP PACE ON FLAT STRETCHES. HILLS ARE SELF-PACED; WE REGROUP AT THE TOP OF CLIMBS. Regroup points are noted on the Ride With GPS cue sheet, and the faster riders are used to waiting for the rest of us.

Faster riders are welcome to join us and ride ahead of the group on the climbs, if you don't mind hanging around for the regroups; plan for a social moderate pace ride as a group on the flats. The ride becomes self-led for those ahead of or behind the group. Please bring navigation aids, in case you find yourself substantially off of group pace and need to finish on your own. We will observe the speed limit on the multi-use trails (typically 15mph).

Restroom/water/snack stops at Kirkland Marina Park (mile 2.5), Blyth Park (mile 15.6) and 60 Acres (mile 27.6). Bring snacks; we won't make a coffee stop, but there will be time at frequent rest stops and regroups to eat and drink.

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 (preferably 2" or less and no more than 4"), 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 not available for this ride**

Note: If weather conditions meet the weather cancellation criterion listed above or if there are unforeseen hazardous riding conditions, 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.