Seattle Pacific to Norway Hill - going backwards

Join me at the West Ewing Mini-park (at the beginning of 3rd Ave. West, on the Seattle Pacific Univ. Campus, ) for a 44 mile ride with some significant hills along the way. This route goes in the reverse of the normal route so we start by crossing the I-520 bridge for some beautiful views across the water, then make our way to Norway Hill going up the steep side. 

Please note: During COVID-19 Phases 1.5 and 2, all Free Group Rides are limited to six total participants: the Ride Leader and five others. Registration for the ride (using the red “Register Now” button above) is REQUIRED to participate. If you decide not to ride, please unregister for this ride so that an additional spot will be made available to another.

Face coverings (for mouth and nose) are required when the group makes extended stops. Face coverings are recommended for the duration of the ride. Please bring personal hand sanitizer,  disinfecting wipes and tissues for use at rest stops.

The Route:  The route goes across the Fremont Bridge and onto the roads to the University and then over the 520 bridge for a photo. Then we head up our first hill, 116th Ave NE.to our optional Starbucks bathroom stop. From there we head down Old Redmond Road and over to Willows Road before we begin our second climb, up 139th Ave, which is a steep climb with some dangerous railroad tracks. From there we head back downhill to the back of Norway Hill for our third and final climb of the day, another steep one.  Then we head over to Log Boom Park for an optional bathroom break.Our return is very straightforward, as we will come back along the Burke Gilman trail with a stop at the Cascade Bike Club Offices (so your ride leader can pick up some swag!)

We will be riding at the the lower end of the moderate (14-16 mph) pace, but we'll limit our speed on the multi-use paths to the legal maximum (15 MPH).

NOTE - We will be following COVID-19 social distancing practices, and I will ask all riders to stay at least 10-12' apart when riding and at least 6' apart when stopped. Since I am in the high risk category (due to age) I will ask all riders to stay behind me throughout the ride (except when climbing) and will encourage you to wear your mask. We will climb and descend hills at our own pace, and our goal will be to stay together and regroup as necessary at the top and bottom of all hills. Since I am a slower climber, I will ask anyone who is faster to go ahead at the beginning of the hill and wait at the top.

Start Time:  Let's meet at the West Ewing park 10 minutes before the published start time (i.e 10:20 am) for our pre-ride safety briefing, with a departure at 10:30 am. We will go over hand signals and what we say during the ride to keep ourselves safe.  

Restrooms and water are NOT available at the start. There will be a restroom available at about mile 25 and a Starbucks stop for water and espressos at mile 30.

Fenders and tubes:  Bring a spare tube and tools to fix a flat, just in case. Please have full fenders. Even if it is not raining, when the roads are wet, rooster tails from bare tires are a safety issue for other riders.  Fenders with long mudflaps show that you care about others. Riders without friendly mudflaps may be asked to ride at the back of the group.

WEATHER:  If, between 8:00pm and 10:00 pm (depending when I can check it) the night before the ride, Weather Underground forecast predicts a greater than 30% chance of significant rain or temperature below 42 degrees, the ride will be canceled. I will send everyone who has registered an email that night advising of the cancellation and post a ride-cancellation notice in the Comments section on this club page; and I will NOT be at the start. 

Also, if there are unexpected showers the morning of the ride, or if there are other unforeseen hazardous riding conditions, I will post a ride-canceled note in the Comments section below and email everyone who has registered at least two hours prior to the start and I will not be at the start location. 

I hope you can join me!