Middle Lake Loop and More... (Vigorous)

Join us for a 37-mile ride at a vigorous pace (18-20 mph on the flats) from the Kirkland Transit Center.

This ride is intended to help cyclists maintain and improve their fitness by keeping a strong pace on a fast rolling course.  The Ride Leader is using this ride for some additional "adversity training" after a hard ride on Saturday to get back in the saddle and push a strong pace on fatigued legs.  We will have opportunities allowed to push yourself.  You can always ride the hills at your own pace and we'll regroup at the top and as needed elsewhere, strong riders can zoom up ahead and others won't be left behind.  The Ride Leader will do their best to accommodate riders with a range of abilities, but riders who fall substantially behind the group pace may have to continue the ride on their own.

This route treks south through Bellevue on to a spicy lap around Mercer Island.  We will then start our return to Kirkland on the west side of Lake Washington.  Once back on the east side of Lake Washington, we will take a small detour through Medina before our final "big" push north on Lake Washington Blvd back to Kirkland.

Let's meet at the Kirkland Transit Center between the library and the baseball field at 8 AM.  We will start with a required safety briefing, and roll out when that's done. All riders must attend the safety briefing to participate.

Restrooms and water are available at the start.  We have no scheduled stops for water/food/bathroom breaks.

There are four hours of free parking at the public parking garage under the Kirkland Library.  Longer term parking is available at the Kirkland Wester Parking Lot on 3rd Avenue, about 4 blocks away.

In the event of separation due to flats or other problems, riders should download the route file into a GPS device or have a cue sheet. Cue sheets are not available at the start.  Routes may include a local trail with speed limits, typically 15 MPH. Riders must stay within the speed limits. 

Bring a spare tube (or two) and tools to fix a flat, just in case. Riders should know how to change a flat, or deal with other minor mechanical issues and carry appropriate tools. Riders must have a backup plan if roadside repairs are not sufficient.  Riders should have a charged cell phone to call for a pick-up or other means to find their way home. Please have long fenders if the roads are wet or you may be asked to ride at the rear of the group.

If there is steady rain, unhealthy air quality, other hazardous riding conditions or unexpected events before the start of the ride, the Ride Leader will cancel the ride and all registered riders will be sent a notification email. If the ride is cancelled at least two hours before the start, the Ride Leader will not be at the start location. Please check before leaving for the ride.

I hope you can join us!