Hilly enough for you?

That's what I heard while ever-so-slowly spinning my way up some hill, somewhere on Bainbridge Island last February. I watched the speaker spin ever-so-slightly faster up the hill and disappear over the other side. 

If you haven't ridden Chilly Hilly, it's a blast! Thousands of cyclists (more than 3,800 in 2009)  turn out for the event each year, making it a boisterous, fun ride around Bainbridge Island every February.

Thirty-three miles may not seem like it's far, but add some hills (2,675 feet of climbing) and cool weather to your possible laziness since the holidays, and you've got a challenge on your hands. And a reason to get back on your bike!

That said, there are some cut-offs (shhhhh!), but you'll avoid those to earn your hot cider and cookies at the midpoint, right? Or maybe you'll decide, what's a cut-off between friends when home-baked cookies await on the other side? Either way, see you on the 28th.

Details:

Sunday, Feb. 28 marks the 37th Chilly Hilly. The course is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., but the roads are not closed to traffic. 

The Seattle start is located downtown across from the ferry terminal, under the Alaska Way Viaduct. Ferry passage is included in your registration on the 7:55, 8:45, 9:35 and 10:35 a.m. ferries only.

Advance online registration is open until Feb. 24. After that you can register at the Seattle or Bainbridge start lines.

Hot tip: If your registration is received by Feb. 17, your rider packet will be mailed to you. Then you pin on your bib (doubles as a ferry ticket) and head straight to the ferry. If you register after Feb. 17, your packet will only be available for pickup on the day of the event at the start line you indicated on your registration form (Seattle or Winslow).

Don't miss the Finish Line Festival with fantastic chili feed fundraiser for the Squeaky Wheels Cycling Club.

Chilly Hilly is a fundraiser for the Cascade Bicycle Club and money raised supports our education, advocacy and riding programs. It is also a major fundraiser for a variety of Bainbridge Island charities, including the Girls Scouts, Bainbridge Island Rope Skippers, Kiwanis/Help Line House and Bainbridge Youth Services. Thank you to the Bainbridge community for welcoming us to the island each February.

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Join us on the 37th annual Chilly Hilly ride, Sunday, Feb. 28.