Wacky Wanderings #3 - Somerset

You are invited to join us for the Somerset-Mercer Island Wacky Wanderings ride!  Explore lower Somerset hill, China Creek, Mercer Island parks, wave hello to the Funny Farm residents, and take a short tour of Newport Shores on the return.  The ride features expansive views, and the ever-popular East Mercer Way - and of course, some fun neighborhood wanderings.  

Registration:  Online Registration IS REQUIRED for this ride. To access it, click on the red Register Now button above.  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 Newport Hills Park and Ride lot, by I-405 exit 9.  Please be ready to ride by 10:00 am when we will have a required safety briefing, rolling out immediately after.  If you miss the briefing, you will not be able to ride with the group, sorry!

Completion Time:  Barring any unforeseeable occurrences, we should return to the start point by about 2:30pm.  If you would like to join the ride but have a tight schedule, the route makes it easy to depart the ride and return to the start point early.  Most of the climbing and views are in the first half of the route.  

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 ride distance.  Climbing and descending is at rider's own pace with regrouping at the top of 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:  At the top of climbs and some turns, we will regroup if needed at miles 1.9 (R turn to 127th Ave SE), 5.7 (L turn onto Somerset Dr.), 10.5 (stop sign at Forest Dr. SE), 11.5 (L turn to 155th Ave SE), 12.2 (summit on SE 80th St), 13.3 (SE 81st Pl viewpoint), 16.7 (L turn to 118th Ave SE), and 27.5 (L turn to SE 40th St).

Rest and Food Stops:  Restrooms are available at miles 1.2 (Newport Hills Park), 14.6 (Lake Boren Park), 23.7 (Enatai park), and 41.6 (Newcastle Beach park).  Lunch stop, 30 min. maximum, at Metropolitan Market on Mercer Island at mile 26.2.  

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; 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!