Midweek Tune-Up - 7 Hills Kirkland WEDNESDAY EDITION (Moderate)

The forecast looks wet for Thursday, so we'll try Wednesday this week (9:00 start)

Join us for some social climbing on an update of the classic "7 Hills of Kirkland" course.

We'll take Market and Juanita out of Kirkland with detours onto Seminary Hill (Holmes Point) and 153rd PL off of Juanita, followed by Norway, Winery, and Rose Hills on the way back to the start. We'll relax between the climbs on relatively flat stretches, at a social moderate pace.

**If you would like to ease into the climbing by skipping a hill or two, you are welcome to download the "optional bypass route/cues" Ride with GPS route at the link on the right; you'll be able to skip your choice of 1, 2 or 3 hills, then rejoin the group at their next regroup point or rest stop on the route. For best results, have the full (non-bypass) route downloaded as well. Please consult the ride leader at the pre-ride briefing if you want to try this approach**

We'll climb Market and Juanita out of Kirkland, bypass Seminary Hill, and take the 153rd PL climb off of Juanita. After climbing Norway and Winery Hills and a stretch on the Sammamish River Trail, it's up Rose Hill and back to the start. We'll relax between the climbs on relatively flat stretches, at a social moderate pace (15 mph +/-).

Be ready to ride near the back (East) end of the South Kirkland Park and Ride at start time; we'll do the required pre-ride briefing at that time, and ride when the briefing is done. All riders must attend the safety briefing to participate.

**Please register at least two hours in advance on this website; later registration online or at ride start is not available for this ride**

If you aren't familiar with the start location, navigating to "South Kirkland Park and Ride" (by name) via Ride with GPS /Google should work. Routing to the address (10610 N.E. 38th Pl.) for the Park and Ride may put you just slightly north and west of where you actually need to turn at 107th LN NE.

THE "MODERATE" PACE RATING REFERS TO GROUP PACE ON FLAT STRETCHES. HILLS ARE SELF-PACED; WE REGROUP AT THE TOP OF CLIMBS. Regroup points are noted on the Ride With GPS cue sheet, and the faster riders are used to waiting for the rest of us. We'll limit our speed on any multi-use paths to the legal maximum (usually 15 MPH).

Faster riders are welcome to join us and ride ahead of the group on the climbs, if you don't mind hanging around for the regroups; plan for a relaxed, social moderate pace ride as a group on the flats.

No restroom at the start, but we'll stop at Marina Park at mile 2.5. Additional stops at Blyth Park (mile 14) and 60 Acres Park (mile 26). Bring snacks; we won't make a coffee stop, but there will be time at frequent rest stops to eat and drink.

**Please bring navigation aids so that you can stay on course if you lose visual contact with other riders on a climb or descent, or in case you find yourself substantially off of group pace and needing to finish on your own; the ride becomes self-led for those ahead of or behind the group.**

Bring tools and knowledge to repair flats; if rider schedules permit we may pause briefly for flat repair and minor mechanical issues, but have a phone and a plan to get home/back to the start if needed. 

If there's a chance of precipitation and/or wet roads, fenders with long mud flaps are recommended. Anywhere the road is wet, if you don't have flaps close to the ground (preferably 2" or less and no more than 4"), you'll need to take the initiative to stay behind everyone with better fenders.

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 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, Ride Leader(s) will not be at the start location. Please check before leaving for the ride.