Winter Training Series (WTS) 9: Greater Seattle Century

NOTE THE EARLY START! This is the last and longest of this year's nine Winter Training Series rides. WTS starts January 8th and will end on March 5th. During this nine-ride series, distances progress from about 34 miles to 100 miles. WTS is a great way to do some early season training, with a natural buildup of miles, while enjoying the company of other riders. Winter riding is tough enough--this gives you a chance to do it with friends. 

The Greater Seattle Century (GSC) takes you on a wide clockwise circle around the greater Seattle area with a variety of terrain having many flat stretches interrupted by a few steep hills. We start by heading north along the Burke-Gilman Trail to Bothell, then along mostly quiet backcountry roads through Woodinville, Maltby, Carnation, Fall City, Issaquah and Maple Valley. The GSC then follows the Cedar River Trail to Renton and returns to Magnuson Park via Seward Park, Lake Washington Blvd. and the Burke-Gilman Trail There is a total of approximately 3,400 feet elevation gain from beginning to end.

The 100-miler on March 5th will start at 8:00 AM. Please be at the start early enough to have your registration confirmed, pump up your tires, adjust your fenders, and put all your warm clothes on. Sign-in starts at 7:30 AM, mandatory ride & safety announcements are at 8:00 AM, and we start riding when that is completed.  If you miss the briefing, you will not be able to ride with the group. 

Though there will usually be a number of ride leaders on the course, these are self-paced and self-guided rides with friendly encouragement and lots of camaraderie. THERE ARE NO REGROUPS IN THIS SERIES. For more general information, please follow the link below to Introduction to WTS.

VERY IMPORTANT: If you want a cue sheet, please go to the RideWithGPS link below and print one out for yourself.  There won't be any available from the ride leaders.

All rides are rain or shine. We might shorten the route to a Metric Century (65 miles/3220 ft) for really foul weather, but the only outright cancellation will be for snow or ice. CHECK THIS WEBPAGE BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME.

Pre-registration is required. There will be no sign-in at the ride start.  You must be registered by no later than 5:00AM on the day of the of the ride.  If you already have a Cascade account make sure you are logged in and click the <Register Now> button at the top of the ride description, then make sure to check the box indicating you have read the Waiver & Release, add your emergency phone number and click <Save Registration> button. Don’t worry if you can’t make the ride, you don't need to un-register. If you don’t have a Cascade account set one up! It only takes a couple of minutes and won't cost you anything.

Even though you’ve pre-registered, you will need to check off your name at the start of the ride.  Make sure you are registered by 5:00 AM the day of the ride.  Registrations after that will not be accepted and you will not be allowed to attend the ride!

Directions to Start: from I-5 take the NE 45th St exit; head east on NE 45th St about 4.5 miles to where 45th becomes Sand Point Way NE; continue north along Sand Point Way NE to the 7400 block traffic light; take a right at the light into Warren G. Magnuson Park; go straight to the third right at the stop sign; turn right into the large parking lot. From Hwy 520, take the Montlake exit; head north on Montlake Blvd past the UW following the arterial to the right; Montlake becomes 45th and then becomes Sand Point Way; turn right at the 74th Street light into Warren G. Magnuson Park; continue straight to the 3nd right at the stop sign; park in the large parking lot nearest the port-a-potty.