Midweek Tune-Up: 7 Hills Kirkland

Join us for some social climbing on an update of the classic "7 Hills of Kirkland" course.

We'll take Market and Juanita out of Kirkland with detours onto Seminary Hill (Holmes Point) and 153rd PL off of Juanita, followed by Norway, Winery, and Rose Hills on the way back to the start. We'll relax between the climbs on relatively flat stretches, at a social moderate pace.

**If you would like to ease into the climbing by skipping a hill or two, you are welcome to download the "optional bypass route/cues" Ride with GPS route at the link below; you'll be able to skip your choice of 1, 2 or 3 hills, then rejoin the group at their next regroup point or rest stop on the route. For best results, have the full (non-bypass) route downloaded as well. Please consult the ride leader at the pre-ride briefing if you want to try this approach**

Be ready to ride near the back (East) end of the South Kirkland Park and Ride at start time; we'll do 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.

If you aren't familiar with the start location, navigating to "South Kirkland Park and RIde" (by name) via Ride with GPS /Google should work. Routing to the address (10610 N.E. 38th Pl.) for the Park and Ride may put you just slightly north and west of where you actually need to turn at 107th LN NE.

No restroom/water at the start, but we'll stop at Marina Park at mile 2.5. Additional restroom/water/snack stops at Blyth Park (mile 15.6) and 60 Acres Park (mile 27.6). Bring snacks; we won't make a coffee/lunch stop, but there will be time at frequent rest stops and regroups to eat and drink.

THE "MODERATE" PACE RATING REFERS TO GROUP PACE ON FLAT STRETCHES (14-16mph, adjusted for wind). HILLS ARE SELF-PACED; WE REGROUP AT THE TOP OF CLIMBS. Regroup points are noted in the Ride With GPS cues. We will observe the 15mph speed limit on the multi-use trails.

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.

**Please bring navigation aids so that you can stay on course if you lose visual contact with other riders on a climb or descent, or in case you find yourself substantially off of group pace and need to finish on your own. Route map and cue sheet at the Link, below.**

Bring what you need 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.

Note: If wet weather is forecast or if there are unforeseen hazardous riding conditions, poor air quality, or other unexpected events, the Ride Leader may post a ride-canceled note in the Comments section (below) at least two hours prior to the start (and won't be at the start location).

Hope you can join us!