**CANCELLED** Winter Training Series #9: Greater Seattle Full or Metric Century (Self-Paced)

NOTE EARLY START! This is the last and longest ride in our nine-part Winter Training Series Rides. WTS starts January 6th and will end on March 2nd. During this nine-ride series, distances progress from about 34 miles to this 100 mile ride. WTS is a great way to do some early season training, with a natural buildup of miles, while enjoying the company of other riders. Winter riding is tough enough--this gives you a chance to do it with friends.

Directions to Start: From I-5 take the NE 45th St exit; head east on NE 45th St about 4.5 miles to where 45th becomes Sand Point Way NE; continue north along Sand Point Way NE to the 7400 block traffic light; take a right at the light into Warren G. Magnuson Park; go staight to the third right at the stop sign; turn right into the large parking lot. From Hwy 520, take the Montlake exit; head north on Montlake Blvd past the UW following the arterial to the right; Montlake becomes 45th and then becomes Sand Point Way; turn right at the 74th Street light into Warren G. Magnuson Park; continue straight to the 3nd right at the stop sign; park in the large parking lot nearest the port-a-potty.

The Greater Seattle Century (GSC) takes you on a wide clockwise circle around the greater Seattle area with a variety of terrain having many flat stretches interrupted by a few steep hills some longer than others. We start by heading north along the Burke-Gilman Trail to Bothell, then along mostly quiet backcountry roads through Woodinville, Maltby, Carnation, Fall City, Issaquah and Maple Valley. The GSC then follows the Cedar River Trail to Renton and returns to Magnuson Park via Seward Park, Lake Washington Blvd. and the Burke-Gilman Trail. There is a total of approximately 3,400 feet elevation gain from beginning to end.  (Please limit speed on any multi-use paths to the legal maximum (usually 15 MPH, occasionally 10 MPH).  Restrooms at mile 10.7, 78 and 88.  Food and restrooms at Carnation Starbucks (mile 43, Issaquah Highlands Starbucks (mile 59), and downtown Issaquah Mini-Marts (mile 61).

There will also be a Metric Century Option (see secondary route link).  This 67 mile ride still has 3339 feet of climbing.  This shorter loop follows the GSC to Maltby but then stays above Snoqualmie Valley through Trilogy and Sammamish and west on the I-90 trail before heading back through Bellevue and across the SR-520 bridge.  (Again, please limit speed on any multi-use paths to the legal maximum (usually 15 MPH, occasionally 10 MPH).  Restrooms at mile 10.7 and 39.  Food and restrooms at Trilogy Starbucks (mile 29) and Mini-Mart (mile 49).

Please be at the start early enough to have your registration confirmed, pump up your tires, adjust your fenders, and put all your warm clothes on. Sign-in starts at 7:30 AM, mandatory ride & safety announcements are at 8:00 AM, and we start riding when that is completed.  All riders must attend the safety briefing to participate.

Though there will usually be a number of ride leaders on the course, these are self-paced and self-guided rides with friendly encouragement and lots of camaraderie. THERE ARE NO REGROUPS IN THIS SERIES. For more general information, please follow the link Introduction to WTS.

VERY IMPORTANT: If you want a cue sheet, please go to the Route Map link and print one out for yourself.  There won't be any available at the start.

All rides are rain or shine. We might shorten a route for really foul weather, but the only outright cancellation will be for snow or ice.  We may delay the start if we believe that the conditions will be safer a bit later in the day.  CHECK THIS WEBPAGE BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME.

Registration is required. There will be no sign-in at the ride start.  You must be registered by no later than 4:00AM on the day of the of the ride.  If you already have a Cascade account make sure you are logged in and click the green Register button and follow the prompts. If you can't make the ride, please remember to un-register. If you don’t have a Cascade account, setting one up only takes a couple of minutes and it's free.  Make sure you are registered by 4:00 AM the day of the ride.  Registrations after that will not be accepted and you will not be allowed to participate.

We hope you can join us!