CHEW - Eastside Ride #6

Climbing Hills - Eastside Wintertime “CHEW” Series

Please read the pre-ride notes 

The CHEW Series will be held Sundays starting January 10th and ending March 27th at various starting points on the east side. These will be climbing routes on local hills which will progress from ~ 30 miles and 2500’ of elevation gain to 50+ miles and 4500’ elevation gain. There will be five paces offered -- steady (13 on flats), moderate (15 on flats), brisk (17 on flats), vigorous (19 on flats) and strenuous (21+ on flats). All pace groups will use a common route each week or slightly modified at the choice of the ride leader.

We have cross posted the routes on Meetup (link below) to facilitate conversation and photos. We encourage you to RSVP there as well as on the Cascade site. 

Register Please! Please register for this ride so that we can easily manage the waiver and sign in process. If you do so, you will not have to manually sign in at the ride start, but will need to let your ride leader know you are in attendance for our record keeping purpose. This also helps us determine if we have enough ride leaders for the highest demanded paces. For paper waivers, please print your contact information clearly on the waiver form in case we need to reach you for any reason.

Plan to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the start time to hear the route briefing, safety presentation, and sign the waiver form for an on-time departure. You will NOT be allowed to ride if you do not show up in time to hear the SMART briefing.  

Mechanicals/Pace: Riders should be able to sustain the appropriate pace for their selected group, know how to read a cue sheet, change a flat tire (and have the requisite equipment to do so) and have a positive attitude. Ride Leaders and Sweeps will not stop long for flats or mechanical issues due to group safety.

Faster and slower riders are welcome to join but for them the ride becomes self-guided. 

Cue Sheets: A limited number of cue sheets will be available at the ride start so please print your own just in case. Routes will be finalized the weekend before the ride (link below) and there could be last minute changes, so make sure to load the route the day before the ride.  Rest stops will be planned as noted on the route cue sheet.

Equipment: A good headlight and taillight are recommended. Long fenders are required for a chance of rain above 0%. Helmets are required to ride. 

Regroup policy: This is a training series so we will ride with the best interest of the group in mind. We will regroup at the top of hills for a reasonable amount of time as well as at major turns. Stops will be brief. Riders may need to fall back to a slower pace group if they fall behind. If you are riding in the last pace group, the ride leaders will make sure you have a cue sheet and feel comfortable to finish the ride or will stay with you as need be. We want everyone to ride hard but to have fun and get back safely.

Cancellation Policy: Hard steady rain/ice/snow or otherwise unsafe riding conditions will cancel. In the event that conditions are as described for cancellation, ride leaders may not come to the ride start. Ride cancellation will be posted in the Comments section in both the Cascade and Meetup postings for this date two hours prior to the ride start in the event that ride leaders will not come to the ride start. Series Director (Alexa) will be available by phone should you have questions. 

*Routes will be finalized the weekend before each ride*