CTS Blue #3: Full Lake Loop

WELCOME TO THE FULL LAKE LOOP RIDE

Let's meet at the parking lot south of Renton's Old City Hall and public library. Please, allow enough time to prepare your bicycle and to be ready to ride at 9 a.m. We will start with a required safety briefing, and roll out when that's done.

Don't forget to wear your CTS Road ID. If you missed CTS 1, your ID will be available at the start of this ride.

This 50-mile route is a CTS classic, taking us around Lake Washington in a clockwise direction from Renton. We start through downtown Renton, then head north along the lake, passing through the University of Washington area to get to our first sustained climb up Sand Point Way. We'll regroup near the top of the climb and then drop to our second stop at Log Boom Park in Kenmore on the north end of the lake. It's a good spot for a snack if you bring one. (Note: The city has posted the plaza/playground area around the restrooms as a no-riding zone. Please, dismount and walk your bikes on the plaza.) We then head east to the second sustained climb up Waynita Way. Once again, we'll regroup at the top on the shoulder just beyond Butera Motors. Later we'll ride up Market Street in Kirkland and up 112th into Bellevue -- both sustained climbs with regroups at the tops. It is downhill from there, ... well, mostly. The last stretch of our ride takes us through Bellevue and along the southeast side of the lake on the Eastrail and Lake Washington Boulevard, with a third stop at Newcastle Beach Park on the way back into Renton.

This is a challenging ride that will give you a sense of accomplishment. Take note of how you feel at the end. We repeat this route (with a different start point) as our last ride of the series and you will be amazed at how much easier it will be the second time around.

We will climb and descend hills at our own pace and will regroup occasionally. We'll also limit our speed on any multi-use paths to the legal maximum (usually 15 mph.)

Port-a-lets are available in the parking lot of the sports fields north of the old city hall. Drinking water is not available so, please, come prepared with enough water and/or hydration mix to go 26 miles -- our first stop with working water fountains.

We will stop along the way for restrooms at Seward Park at mile point 7; water and bathrooms will be available at Log Boom Park at mile point 26 and at Newcastle Beach Park at mile point 42. If you will need a snack or a bite to eat along the route, bring it with you; there are no food stops on this route.

Bring a spare tube and tools to fix a flat, just in case. Please have full fenders if the roads are wet, or you may be asked to ride at the rear of the group.

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.

If you want to load the route on a GPS or to print out a cue sheet, click on the link below.