Mercer and mid-Lake Washington (with a few extra hills)

Route: Let's start at Issaquah Transit Center and climb up Newport, then connect with the I-90 trail over to Mercer.  After a clockwise Mercer Loop, we'll continue into Seattle and stop at the Leschi Starbucks at 22.4.  After that, we go north through the Arboretum and cross the 520 bridge back to Northup and 116th to Bridle Trails.  Our return to Issaquah includes a quick jaunt down Old Redmond and a climb up 24th street.  

Pace and Regroup: The pace will be brisk and we will mostly stay together for this ride.  Riders will climb and descend at their own pace and we'll regroup at the tops and bottoms of hills.  Please have fenders with full length mud flaps unless you're OK with riding behind everyone else.  Steady rain cancels - I'll be at the start but you can text or email if there's any doubts.  We will maintain the speed limit (and common courtesy) on multi-use trails.

Restrooms:  There is a portapot at Tibbets Valley Park (as of 10/3).  We will also pass a Safeway at mile 5 if anyone needs to stop there (Eastgate Plaza).

Please Bring: Riders should bring necessary tools and supplies to fix flats as the group will not stop for mechanicals. 

Meeting Location:  Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the start in order to prepare yourself and your bike prior to safety briefing. SMART briefing will be at 8:55, and the ride rolls out at 9:00 AM sharp.

Registration: To save time at the start, please register for the ride by clicking on the red Register Now button. No need to unregister if you are no longer able to ride.

Route: A Ride With GPS route is available at the link below.  Please print your own cue sheet if you would like one.