News
Biking the Cedar River and Soos Creek Trails on a Free Group Ride
•
- Free Group Rides are a chance to explore, see wildlife, meet people, and enjoy time outdoors.
- In Part Four of our series about limiting “ultra-processed time” we take a Free Group Ride on the Cedar River and Soos Creek trails to refresh our legs, fill our lungs with autumn air, and get a healthy dose of nature.
Paul Tolmé
Al Fielder enjoys biking on regional trails for the opportunity to spot wildlife and get into western Washington state’s abundant natural areas.
“We see deer, turtles, snakes, squirrels, ducks, birds,” says Fielder, a Cascade Free Group Ride leader. “There is so much wildlife to enjoy in the region.”
Seeing critters is just one of the perks of registering for a Free Group Ride. They’re also an opportunity to explore, socialize, exercise, and get some healthy outdoor time in the safety of a group with a trained ride leader like Fielder.
And with rides occurring year round in different locations, at different paces, distances, and with a variety of themes, Free Group Rides are a resource for getting to know the Puget Sound region, its topography, trails–and people.
“You learn about the areas where you ride and you get to know the community,” he says. “You also meet good people, make new friends, and enjoy good fellowship.”
Put Your Phone Down and Go for a Free Group Ride
For this fourth installment of our series, “Put Your Phone Down and Go Ride,” which encourages people to reduce their “ultra-processed time” in favor of more time in nature, we registered for Fielder’s 37-mile Free Group Ride on the Cedar River and Soos Creek trails in south King County.
Research shows that immersion in green spaces helps relieve stress, or as the report “Your Brain on Nature” says: “exposure to nature consistently promotes psychological and physiological well-being.”
In addition, bicycles are “a powerful tool that can positively impact brain health and wellbeing, according to the nonprofit Outride.
In our last story we learned how bicycling is medicine. This time we explore some trails and make new friends while enjoying a beautiful autumn ride.
Biking the Cedar River and Soos Creek Trails
About a dozen of us gathered in Ron Regis Park along the Cedar River Trail in Renton for Fielder’s Free Group Ride. Other riders included retirees, a Board member of the Foothills Trails Coalition, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, and an individual taking up biking to get back in shape.
After introducing ourselves and sharing some information about our lives, Fielder gave the SMART safety talk that precedes every Free Group Ride. Then we rolled out.
The relatively flat Cedar River Trail spans 17 miles between Renton and Landsburg, where it enters the protected Cedar River Watershed that supplies drinking water to Seattle. The first 12 miles are paved and the final segment transitions to packed gravel.
Exiting the trail, Fielder led us through rural neighborhoods and onto low-traffic country roads as we pedaled to the Four Corners area of Maple Valley for lunch. People exchanged stories over sandwiches and salads at Panera, a great opportunity to socialize and make connections.
After lunch we headed for the six-mile-long Soos Creek Trail, meandering our way through the woods under forest canopy. Exiting the trail, we headed back to Ron Regis Park following a roughly four-hour ride.
Free Group Rides: Connection and Community on Wheels
Fielder began participating in Free Group Rides in 2016 after moving to western Washington from the eastern side of the state. He enjoyed them so much that he got certified as a Ride Leader and began creating and leading rides in 2017.
Now he’s a mentor for people training to become Free Group Ride leaders. “I’m always looking for new ride leaders,” Fielder says.
Cascade’s 300 volunteer ride leaders are the backbone of the Free Group Rides program. They create and post all manner of rides, from the leisurely Pie Ride to history rides and birdwatching excursions and long fitness rides to get in shape for STP.
Overseeing the program is Max Ackermann, who joined me on Fielder’s ride. “Bike rides with community are one of the best mediums to get to know somebody. They become extended hangouts,” Ackermann says.
“When you’re riding with strangers it’s easy to get past the small talk and build a deeper sense of community. We want to create rides for everyone, whether it’s social or you want a challenge or you want to explore or improve your fitness, we want to serve all those riders.”
Get Out and Ride in the Rain
Free Group Rides are also an opportunity to motivate yourself to ride through November during Ride in the Rain Month–when Cascade will organize events, rides and a Ride in the Rain Challenge to encourage people to embrace the changing weather and soggy season.
This November, Ackermann is working to create partnerships with other bike clubs and groups to hold joint community rides. On Nov. 1, Cascade will kick off Ride in the Rain Month with a Free Group Ride collaboration with Sound Break Bike House, a new shop and bike-themed cafe and bar near Seattle’s Occidental Square.
Wildlife, fellowship, exploration and fun exercise: Free Group Rides have it all.
“They’re kind of the best-kept secret in the Pacific Northwest,” Fielder says.
Visit our Become a Ride Leader page to learn more.
Share this post
