Ride Up North, Far Up North: Big Lake to Lake Cavanaugh

RWGPS can be a bit mysterious/misleading sometimes.  It claims we climb over 2000 feet.  Well....................maybe!  If you look at the profile, it is an elevation gain of about 1000 feet from the valley up to Lake Cavanaugh.  I believe that what RWGPS does is add up every teeny tiny little bump upwards that shows on the profile and thus comes up with another 1000 feet.  IMHO, that is a wee bit misleading.  But, look at the profile and you be the judge.

Lawrence Baum, RL

KEEPING RIDERS SAFE

• Advance registration required for all participants. If you decide not to ride, please click Cancel My Registration below to open space for others. (How to cancel) 
• Attendance at the pre-ride safety briefing is required to participate in the ride.
• If you have tested positive for COVID or have been exposed to someone with COVID, follow the CDC quarantine and isolation guidelines. In general, if you have COVID or are displaying COVID symptoms, or if you are sick with the flu or a cold, you should not participate in group rides.
• Carry a face covering in case a business or public transit requires their use.
• Please, no spitting or “snot-rockets” while participating.
• A CPSC certified helmet is required to be worn to participate.

If you are new, please read our newcomer information.

Cancel my registration  2 of 15 spaces remaining.

Date and Time: 

Saturday, June 3, 2023 - 10:00am

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Start Location: 

Big Lake Grocery

16818 Lakeview Blvd

Mount Vernon, WA 98274

Directions

Contact Information: 

Lawrence F. Baum

camanosail@camano.net

425-314-9824

Distance: 

38 miles

Elevation Gain: 

2,300 feet

Pace: 

Steady: [12-14mph]

Terrain: 

Hilly

Regroup: 

Occasional

Weather Cancellation: 

Ice/snow cancels

Interests: 

E-bike friendly

Training

Fitness / Health

Registration for this ride will close on Saturday, June 3, at 8:00 am

This ride begins at the large unpaved parking lot across the street from the Big Lake Grocery.  For riders coming from the south, here is a RWGPS for the best way to get there from I-5:   https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43022514

Please be at the start and ready to ride by 10:00 am when we'll have our pre-ride briefing.  if you miss this briefing, you will not be able to ride with the group.

There are no restrooms at the start.  However, we will be passing a public boat launch with a restroom 2 miles from the start.

There are no public water sources once we leave Big Lake.  So, have plenty of hydration on your bike or bring a water purifier/filtration device to use at creeks we pass.

This a ride up to and around a beautiful alpine mountain lake.  You can expect a good workout for your hill-climbing skills and condition, as you can see from the RWGPS profile.   You need to be in shape for this ride or have an e-bike.  The grades are generally not steep, just long.

Why you could/should do these rides:

• You are new to Cascade Bicycle Club Free Group Rides but you have been doing some training and can handle 38 miles and 2300 feet of climbing.
• You are seeking a scenic, low-traffic ride out in the country.
• You think that you are either 1) in pretty good hill shape and would like to test that, or 2) have an e-bike.
• Maybe you are planning on doing STP, RSVP, RAW or other multi-day rides.  This is great prep for those.
• Riders may sometimes either fall behind or shoot ahead on hills. Nevertheless, riders will be expected to re-group after their "break away" or "fall behind."

You must pre-register no later than 8am on the morning of the ride,  by clicking the red "Register Now" button above.  Please un-register if you decide not to attend in order to free a space for another rider.

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.

Cancellation: ONLY SNOW OR ICE CANCELS.   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.

Feel free to call me with any questions.

We hope you can join us!

Links: 

Ride With GPS route

Comments

Saturday weather, hydration

Submitted by Lawrence F. Baum on Thu, 06/01/2023 - 7:06pm

The closest weather prediction point is Mount Vernon.  The temp there at 10 am will be around 60.  When we get to the lake, 1000 feet higher it probably will be less than 70 degrees.

Remember to bring plenty of hydration:  waterholes are scarce on this ride.  I carry a small portable filtration system in case I  get desperate:  from REI (about $25) that filters out nasty pathogens from e.g. local creek water.

L. Baum, RL