ROAD: Ride On After Dark - Moderate

ROAD, Ride On After Dark, is back for the 2023-2024 season! Join us every Wednesday in Redmond for an approximately 21-mile ride with 1,100 feet of climbing, to help keep us fit through the winter.

Start location: We will ride out of Redmond Downtown Park, from the northwest corner, near the intersection of Redmond Way and 161st Ave. There are restrooms available at the park. See map below for details.

Parking: There is parking available at the Redmond Central Connector lot (free after 5pm) and Redmond Transit Center Park&Ride garage. See map below for parking options. There is also ample street parking. Please arrive early to find a parking spot and make it in time for the ride at 6:00pm. Also, please be aware that there have been recent window smashing events in downtown Redmond; don't leave any visible valuables in your car.

Ride Start: Riders must be ready to ride at the 6:00pm. Riders will NOT be allowed to ride if they do not show up in time to hear the safety talk and briefing. There will be no exceptions to this rule.  

Pace: Riders should be able to sustain the appropriate pace for their selected group. See the pace definitions here. Changing pace groups will not be allowed at the start or during the rides. This series consists of multiple paces, with each pace listed separately on the calendar. To find a suitable ride at your pace please see the Cascade Free Group Rides calendar. 

There will be short re-groupings at the top of hills. If maintaining the pace is difficult for a rider, ride leaders will do their best to accommodate, but the rider may have to continue the ride on their own. We ask that such riders drop back a pace on their next ride. 

Mechanical issues: Groups may not stop for mechanical issues. Riders should know how to change a flat, or deal with other minor mechanical issues and carry appropriate tools. Riders must have a backup plan if roadside repairs are not sufficient.  Riders should have a charged cell phone to call for a pick-up or other means to find their way home. 

Routes: We rotate through a library of routes and the week's route will be posted in the links below.  Routes may include a local trail with speed limits, and riders must stay within the speed limits. Most trails have a 15 mph speed limit.  

Navigation and Cue Sheets: It's important to have navigation in event of separation due to flats or other problems.  Please download the route file into a GPS device for navigation. If a GPS device is not available, bring a cue sheet.  Cue sheets are not available at the start.

Lights: A good headlight and red taillight are required. These rides take place in the dark. Riders may be restricted from riding if they don’t have proper lights. Extra backup lights are recommended in case your battery dies during the ride.

New Riders: New riders are always welcome if they are able to sustain the rigors of the series. First-time riders may find these rides difficult. Please see the new rider information on the Cascade Bicycle Club website for additional general information, or contact the Series Director, Juliana Peña.

Fenders: If rain is anticipated, please come equipped with fenders long enough to keep the person riding behind you dry.

Rest Stops: There will be no planned rest stops as these are short rides. Restrooms are available near the start.

Showers Cancel: Because the rides are in the dark, any rain or drizzle will cancel the ride, as this can cause visibility issues. Other unsafe riding conditions (including ice, air quality, and wet roads) will also cause a cancelation. If the ride is canceled, a ride cancelation will be posted in the comments section of the Cascade listing and all registered riders will receive an email. Due to the unpredictable winter weather, the ride may be canceled less than two hours from the start; in this case, a ride leader will be at the ride start to inform any riders who were not able to get the email. If the ride is canceled more than two hours from the start time, no ride leader will be at the start location.

Kids: This is a rigorous training series and it may not be appropriate for children. Please contact the Series Director, Juliana Peña, at least 48 hours in advance, for approval.

Interested in becoming a ride leader? Contact the Series Director, Juliana Peña, for information about mentoring opportunities.