Getting Ready to Ride South #1 (Leisurely)

Are you new to bicycling, been off your bike for awhile, feeling trapped inside or tired of looking at the same four walls during exercise? Is 2022 your year to get active, begin commuting, take part in the Free Group Rides, tackle your first century (100 mile ride), the STP, or another personal challenge? Are you a bit unsure about your biking capabilities, riding in groups, or cycling during winter? If so, then the Getting Ready to Ride Series (GR2R) is for you. GR2R South is an early season, eight-week progressive series focusing on the South County area that begins with a 14.7 mile mostly flat first ride, and then adds a bit of elevation gain, distance or technical difficulty each week.

Our first ride will be a flat roll down the Green River Valley, riding the Interurban Trail south, and then rolling on quiet roads along the river's course to get back to Kent. We'll meet on the east side of Kent Station; there are no restrooms available at our start point, but there will be a stop at Isaac Evans Park in Auburn about 9 miles into the ride. Everyone needs to be at the ride start on time; there is a required pre-ride safety brief, and we all need to get to know each other!

After our ride, there is an optional get-together at Dilettante Mocha Cafe at Kent Station. This is an opportunity to refuel, talk cycling, and just socialize.

GR2R will help you to:

• Increase endurance and confidence.
• Build hill-climbing skills.
• Make new friends in the cycling community.
• Gain confidence riding safely with groups.
• Get ready for the Cascade Training Series (CTS), beginning in April.

GR2R rides are free and open to any rider. You will ride with others who share your pace level and your enthusiasm for riding. All rides will be led by Cascade Ride Leaders, experienced volunteers who enjoy riding, are knowledgeable about bike safety and the rules of the road. In addition to becoming familiar with bicycling and gaining fitness, you will learn group riding skills, while exploring different local trails, quiet roads, and popular biking destinations. These are social, stay-together rides with waits at the top of hills, at all critical turns and photo-op stops. Please check back at this ride posting within a day or two of the ride for updated route information.

Steady rain, ice/snow or unsafe conditions will cancel a ride. If a ride is canceled, it will be posted in the comments section on the Cascade.org calendar two hours before the ride start time. In that instance, ride leaders will not be waiting at the start. Ride pre-registration is required. If you cannot make the ride, please un-register so we know how many to expect.

All riders should come equipped to deal with their own mechanical issues, flats and bring enough snacks and water. Waiting for mechanical issues will be at the discretion of the ride leader.

Cycling outside is invigorating, motivating and the sights are wonderful, especially when you are with a group of like minded people. Come on, get your bike ready, get dressed, step outside, lets ride together. We hope you can join us!