Cycle the Gap #4 - Bellevue - Cumberland (Saturday Edition)

 Cycle The Gap #4  – Bellevue - Cumberland (Saturday Edition) - Join us at the Newport Park and Ride for a 75 mile ride with 3,100’ of climbing . We start with a short climb up Lake Washington Blvd. then out to May Valley Road and a scenic climb over Cedar Grove Road. We go through Maple valley, Ravensdale, Cumberland and then have a great downhill to the Green River Gorge for a photo before continuing up to Black Diamond for our food stop. On the way back we connect with the Cedar River Trail and finally back along Lake Washington to the finish.

We will climb and descend hills at our own pace and will regroup frequently.  We will be riding at the moderate pace (14-16 mph when flat with no head or tail winds) and we will limit our speed on the multi-use paths to the legal maximum (10 and 15 MPH).

CTG:  This is the fourth of a five-week series of rides from July 17 through August 14.  (Duplicate routes will be posted Tuesdays and Saturdays.) CTG is designed to help folks get in shape for the club’s new Ride from Redmond to Bellingham and Back (R2B2) (Aug. 21-22, 2021). The rides will incrementally increase in distance, leading up to 82 miles.

Stops: We will have a bathroom break at 3.5 miles into the ride. We will have another restroom stop at about mile 28 and then our food stop at mile 47. There will be an optional restroom stops at mile 65 (Ron Regis Park) and mile 71 (Coulon Park). 

The Start:     Let's meet at the Newport Park and Ride at 9:00 am. We will start with a required safety briefing and roll out when that's done. If you miss the briefing you will not be able to ride with the group.

The Basics:  These rides are not supported. Riders should be able to sustain the pace, carry nutrition/water, and have the know-how and equipment to fix a flat tire.  The group will not stop for repair of flats or mechanical issues. Everyone should carry a phone to call for assistance if needed.

New riders, we are very happy to have you with us.  Please read the New Rider link (“read our newcomer information”), above, and keep in mind that a helmet is required for all Cascade rides. 

Be considerate and have full fenders including mud flaps if roads are wet or a prediction of rain is in the forecast. If you don't have fenders, you may be asked to ride at the rear of the group.

Registration: This ride has unlimited capacity. If possible, please register for the ride a few days in advance. By your registering for the ride well in advance, we can make sure we have enough ride leaders.  Please be sure to cancel your registration if you decide not to go on the ride.

Ride With GPS Link:  The route map and cue sheet are on the RideWithGPS link, below.  If you want a printed cue sheet, you need to bring it.   If there are any significant changes to the route, the final link will be posted under the comments section on this page the day before the ride.  

Weather:  If, sometime before 10:00 pm, the night before the ride, Weather Underground forecast predicts a greater than 30% chance of significant rain, the ride will be canceled. I will send everyone who has registered an email 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 it is raining on 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.