Winter Eastside Hill Climbing Master Class Final Exam and Graduation Party!!!

Please note: During COVID-19 restrictions, all Free Group Rides are limited in the number of allowed participants. 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. 

We will observe current social distancing guidelines when off the bike, and strive to maintain at least 10-12ft separation between riders when on the bike.

Let's take a little NIBBLE out of the CHEW Playbook and get some Winter Training rides in.

We will meet at the Tibbetts Valley Park parking lot in Issaquah at 8:45am for our pre-ride safety briefing, with a departure at 9:00am.  We will be at the northwest parking lot across from the Issaquah Transit Center.  Porta Potties are available at the start.  This is the Grand Finale of our Winter Training Rides.  We will be testing our fitness with three (yes, 3!) 1,000 foot climbs.  Squak, Highlands and Zoo are the three signature climbs.  Our big climbs will be done by mile 42 and will finish the ride with 19 easy miles to shake our your legs out after the tough early miles.  We will stop for a break at the Starbucks in Lakemont @ Mile 36.7.  At the finish, you will be rewarded with a socially distanced informal gathering and adult beverage as your prize for a job well done.  Attendance at the parking lot "Graduation Party" is optional.  This is a 61 mile ride at Brisk Pace (16-18 mph).

We will climb and descend hills at our own pace, and our goal will be to try to stay together and we will regroup at the tops of climbs if we get separated. We'll also limit our speed on any multi-use paths to the legal maximum (usually 15 MPH).

There is no water at the start.

Riders should bring tools & knowledge to repair flats or minor mechanicals and be prepared to complete the ride on your own should your bike require repair. Please have a backup plan (someone to call or an ORCA card) if your bike will not get you to the finish.

Fenders are requested if it is wet or expected to be wet.  Plan to ride at the back if you do not have fenders. 

Note: If weather conditions meet the weather cancellation criterion listed above or if there are unforeseen hazardous riding conditions, the Ride Leader will post a ride-canceled note in the Comments section below at least two hours prior to the start and Ride Leader(s) will not be at the start location.

We hope you can join us!

Ride With GPS route link is below. Please print a cue sheet if you want one.