Midweek Tune-Up *Lite* - (not quite) 7 Hills of Kirkland

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

This "Lite" version will follow the approximate outline of our regular 7 Hills route, while bypassing some climbs. This will bring the ride from 37 miles down to 34, and elevation gain down from 2700' to 2160'. It adds the 153rd climb to last week's ride, in case you're keeping track.

We'll climb Market and Juanita out of Kirkland, bypass Seminary Hill, and take the 153rd PL climb off of Juanita this time. After climbing Norway Hill we'll bypass Winery Hill with a stretch on the Sammamish River Trail. Then it's up Rose Hill and back to the start. We'll relax between the climbs on relatively flat stretches, at a social moderate pace (15 mph +/-).

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.

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. We'll limit our speed on any multi-use paths to the legal maximum (usually 15 MPH).

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 relaxed, social moderate pace ride as a group on the flats.

No restroom at the start, but we'll stop at Marina Park at mile 2.5. Additional stops at Blyth Park (mile 14) and 60 Acres (mile 24.6). Bring snacks; we won't make a coffee stop, but there will be time at frequent rest stops and regroups to eat and drink.

**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 needing to finish on your own; the ride becomes self-led for those ahead of or behind the group. 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.

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.