Wacky Wanderings #1 - Lake Hills

You are invited to join us for the inaugural Wacky Wanderings ride!  These rides will feature one neighborhood, which is thoroughly explored in a random fashion, much as a new resident might do after moving in there.  Enjoy quiet streets in the Lake Hills area that I called home as a child, while familiarizing yourself with roads rarely visited on group rides.  

Registration:  Online Registration IS REQUIRED for this ride. To access it, click on the red Register Now button above.  Your emergency contact number must be for a next-of-kin or trusted person who knows you and can come to your aid, not 911.  In-person registration is not available at the ride start.  Please cancel your registration if you decide not to ride, as a courtesy to other riders.  Note that all riders on a tandem bicycle must be registered individually, as the captain's registration does not cover any stokers - it's a legal thing.  Friendly non-human pets do not require registration, while dangerous pets are not permitted.  

Ride Start and Time:  We will meet at the 60 Acres South parking lot, in the valley just north of downtown Redmond.  Please be ready to ride by 11:00 am when we will have a required safety briefing, rolling out immediately after.  This start time is chosen to help avoid ice on the roads.  If you miss the briefing, you will not be able to ride with the group, sorry!

Pace:  Pace is moderate, 14-16 mph on flat, smooth surfaces without wind.  Riders should be able to maintain 16 mph on flats for the full ride duration. Climbing and descending is at rider's own pace with regrouping at the top of most hills - see regroup list below.  Leader will climb at a level of effort which should be achievable for the average rider at this pace.  However, riders significantly off the group pace should be prepared to complete the ride solo, and may wish to consider selecting a slower pace for their next ride.  It is recommended that riders have the route with them in their memory cells, on a portable device with charged battery, or on a printed copy of the cue sheet.

Regroup Points:  As necessary, we will regroup at miles 7.2 (stop sign at NE 24th St), 8.1 (stop sign at 164th Ave NE), 18.8 (after R turn to 143rd Ave), 20.7 (at R turn onto short trail), 22.6 (after R turn onto NE 12th St trail), 23.7 (before crossing Northup Way), 25.9 (after R turn onto NE 60th St), 30.1 (bottom of 520 trail descent) and 31.2 (R turn to trail from NE 90th St).

Rest and Food Stops:  Be sure to bring a snack or food with you.  Snack break is not near a restaurant.  Restrooms are available at miles 4.1 (Marymoor Park), 16.8 (snack stop at Lake Hills park), and 27.4 (Starbucks - optional coffee stop).  

Fenders:  For the safety and comfort of your fellow riders as well as yourself, long fenders with extended flaps that reach within 4 inches of the road are appreciated if roads are damp or rain is possible. If you are spraying fellow riders and they are not enjoying it, you may be banished to the back of the group.

Mechanical Issues:  Riders should bring tools and have knowledge to repair flats or minor mechanical problems.  Be prepared to complete the ride on your own, should your bike require a time-consuming repair. The group will stop briefly to ensure you are okay, but will not wait for repairs to be completed if they take more than a few minutes.  Please have a backup plan - person to call, or transportation fare - if you are unable to ride to the finish.

Cancelation:  Ride will be canceled for inclement weather as listed above, or other hazardous road or riding conditions such as snow, ice, threat of lightning or mudslides, steady strong winds, unhealthy air quality, wildfires, unavoidable flooding, riots, acts of war or earthquake damage, or elevated risk of wildlife attack (especially squirrel herds).  Should conditions call for a cancelation day of ride, a cancelation notice will be posted in the comment section below at least 2 hours before the ride start.  If conditions are questionable, please check this page before leaving for the start.  Leader will not be at the start if the ride is canceled 2 or more hours prior to the starting time. 

Route: Ride With GPS route link is below. Please print a cue sheet if you want one, as printed cues are not likely to be available at the ride start due to ride leader's senior memory.

If you have any questions, you may post them in the Comments section below, or contact the ride leader.  Looking forward to riding with you!