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Join us for some social climbing on a "lite" variation of the classic "7 Hills of Kirkland" course.
****This week we're ALL riding the "shortcut" route (this route is available for any rider to choose every time we ride the regular 7+ hills route; normally riders taking the shortcuts meet up with the rest of us at specified regroup points to continue riding with the group). We'll skip Seminary Hill (Holmes Point) as well as Winery Hill this week, for a more relaxed ride with about 570' less climbing than our regular7+ Hills route. ****
Be ready to ride near the back (East) end of the South Kirkland Park and Ride at 10:00; we'll start the required pre-ride briefing at that time, and ride when the briefing is done. If you miss the briefing you will not be able to ride with the group.
No restroom at the start, but we'll stop at Marina Park at mile 2.5.
After a short cruise along the Kirkland waterfront, we'll climb Market, Juanita, 153rd PL, Norway, Kingsgate, and Rose Hills in turn. Relax between the climbs on relatively flat stretches, at a social moderate pace (15mph+/-).
Variations on the classic 7 Hills route include a detour off of Juanita ("153rd PL") for a little extra climbing followed by a long descent, as well as a stretch of the Sammamish River and the 520 bike trails approaching Rose Hill (to avoid high traffic roads that don't have bike lanes).
THE "MODERATE" PACE RATING REFERS TO GROUP PACE ON FLAT STRETCHES (about 15mph). HILLS ARE SELF-PACED; WE REGROUP AT THE TOP OF CLIMBS. Regroup points are noted on the Ride With GPS cue sheet, and the faster riders are used to waiting for the rest of us.
Faster riders are welcome to join us and ride ahead of the group on the climbs, if you don't mind hanging around for the regroups; plan for a relaxed, social moderate pace ride as a group on the flats. The ride becomes self-led for those ahead of or behind the group. Please bring navigation aids, in case you find yourself substantially off of group pace and need to finish on your own. We will observe the speed limit on the multi-use trails.
Restroom/water/snack stops at Kirkland Marina Park (mi 2.5), Blyth Park (mi 14) and 60 Acres (mi 27.8). Bring snacks; we won't make a coffee stop, but there will be time at rest stops and regroups to eat and drink.
Route maps and cue sheets at the Links, below.
Bring tools and knowledge to repair flats; if rider schedules allow we may pause briefly for flat repair and minor mechanicals, but have a phone and a plan to get home/back to the start if needed.
If there's a chance of precipitation and/or wet roads, fenders with long mud flaps are recommended. Anywhere the road is wet, if you don't have flaps close to the ground (preferably 2" or less and no more than 4"), you'll need to take the initiative to stay behind everyone with better fenders.
**Please register at least two hours in advance on this website; late registration online or at ride start is not available for this ride**
Note: If weather conditions meet the weather cancellation criterion listed above or if there are unforeseen hazardous riding conditions or other unexpected events, 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.
What to Know Before You Go
- Advance registration required. Cancel if unable to attend, to open space for others.
- Must be present at safety briefing to participate.
- Helmets required.
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