CTS Blue #7: Bothell - Sultan

Welcome to CTS Blue/Green #7 - Bothell to Sultan loop!

This is rural route with some beautiful senary as we ride along the river and thru ranch land with mountain range vistas!  We are starting our journey from the Bothell Park & Ride. There are no restrooms or water at the start, but we'll jump on the Sammamish River Trail to  Wilmot Gateway Park just 2 miles away. From Wilmot we'll depart the trail and head into Woodinville for our first climb of the day up the Woodinville-Duvall Rd, then onward through Maltby and down to the town of Snohomish.  You will recognize this section as we have ridden it on earlier routes.  We'll head east through the river valley to Monroe, then start an easy, steady climb up Old Owens Road and enjoy the great Cascade range vistas as we drop down into Sultan. Returning along the Skykomish River (Ben Howard Road) you will enjoy some beautiful views of the river so be sure to keep your head up and look around from time to time.  We will make our way back to Monroe for a food stop at Safeway at mile 46. Fresh from that rest we will continue along the river and do a long climb up High Bridge and Fales Rd back to Maltby. We will connect back up with the Woodinville-Duvall Rd out to Cottage Lake and cruise along Mink Rd and Bear Creek, before we tackle the last climb of the day up NE 124th Way. From there it is a clear sailing decent to 60 Acres where we'll glide along the Sammamish River Trail and finish on the Redmond Woodinville Rd back to the park and ride.

Rest stops

Reminders

Nutrition: Take in some food or carbs every hour starting with the first hour of this ride! Have something that you can consume quickly and easily during a 1-minute stop or while moving. Keeping fueled early and often is the key to not running out of energy as we start riding extended distances!

Hydration: Bring 2 water bottles, fill up at rest stops and drink plenty, consider drinking more than just water, electrolytes replace salt and other nutriments your body uses during these extend rides. There can be up to 25 miles between water stops on CTS rides -- BE PREPARED.

Weather: The extended forecast is looking like a decent ride with warm temperatures and party cloudy skies, but be prepared for rainy weather with your rain gear (including if possible full length fenders\buddy flaps for your bikes). If we do get wet weather and you do not have long fenders please be prepared to ride at the back of the group in consideration of others. ALTERNATELY if the weather forecast changes and turns hot, please be ready for this as well.

Restrooms: None at the ride start. First stop is 2 miles in from the start at Wilmot Gateway Park.

General ride posting disclaimers

Route: Check on Friday before the ride and update your device if needed (or pin the route) Please note: if you check/update your version on Friday you should have the most current information.  Be assured that your ride leaders will have the best information and you can always rely on them for good directions. 

Trails: On weekends, trails typically have heavy pedestrian traffic near parks, especially when the weather is nice out. Most trails in our region have 15 mph limits, except for trails in Renton, where they have been reduced to 10MPH. We need to obey all posted speed limits. The commonly traveled Burke-Gilman and Sammamish River Trails have a speed limit of 15MPH. These trails will have several sections of heavy pedestrian traffic, especially when we are riding in good weather. Be prepared to go SLOW warn pedestrians you are coming and give them the right of way.

Cancelation Policy: Steady rain or otherwise unsafe riding conditions (including air quality or any unforeseen hazardous conditions) will cause a cancelation. Cancelation  when possible will be posted in the comments section below at least two hours prior to the ride start.  All registered riders will receive an email. and ride leaders will not be at the ride start.  In the unlikely event that circumstances change after the 2 hour time frame, riders will be emailed and ride leaders will be at the ride start to advise people of the situation. 

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