Cycle the Gap #5 - Magnuson to Sultan (Tuesday edition)

Cycle The Gap  (CTG) #5  – Magnuson to Sultan (Tuesday edition) - Join us at the Cascade Bicycle Club Headquarters for an 83 mile ride with 3,100’ of climbing . Starting at the CBC headquarters in Magnuson Park, we head to Blythe Park where we will have our first restroom break. Then we go to Woodinville where we have a nice climb up Woodinville-Duvall Road and on to Snohomish for our second rest stop.  We'll ride on rural roads and have a lunch stop in Sultan, either at the Red Apple Grocery or the Sultan Bakery. 

We return on a different route, taking a break at the Snoqualmie Ice Cream factory for a great ice cream (or affogato) made at the location. (The restrooms in Maltby Park are an option if you want to get back sooner.)

This is the final and hardest ride of our five ride series with over 80 miles and 3,100 feet of climbing.  So, bring lots of snacks, water (at least 2 water bottles), sunscreen and energy.  If you can handle this ride, you're on your way to tackling the Redmond to Bellingham and Back (R2B2) ride easily and happily.

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 fifth 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). 

Stops: There MAY be a Port-A-Potty at the start. We will have water and bathroom stops at 9 miles (Blythe Park), 26 miles (Snohomish), 42 miles (Sultan lunch stop), and 65 miles (Snohomish Ice Cream Factory or Maltby Park). 

The Start:     Let's meet at the Cascade Bicycle Club Headquarters in Magnuson Park at 8:00 am.  (NOTE: EARLIER START TIME) 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:  Since the ride is limited to 15 riders, please be sure to cancel your registration if you change your mind and decide not to go on the ride, so someone else can take your place.

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.