**CANCELLED** Mercer Island Treasures Exploration (Steady)

You are invited to join me for a scenic adventure tour to Mercer Island.  Experience a wide variety of scenery, roads and trails, and beautiful neighborhoods that look like they were transplanted from Heaven.  See Mercer Island in a way that few cyclists have.  If you've wondered what the island offers besides the popular perimeter loop, come along and find out!  

The route includes some dirt-surface park trails, but they are wide, smooth and well-groomed enough to accommodate road bikes.  The Mercer Island section starts with an easy climb up Mercerwood Drive, and features curvy riding on East Mercer Way just before leaving the island.  

Ride Start and Time:  We will meet at the north parking lot of Heritage Park.  Additional parking is available along Waverly Way adjacent to the park.  Please be ready to ride by 9:00am when we will have a required safety briefing, rolling out immediately after. All riders must attend the safety briefing to participate.

Pace:  Pace is Steady, 12-14 mph on flat, smooth surfaces without wind, but there are many places where we will be riding slower for sight-seeing and trails.  Riders should be strong enough to maintain that speed range on flats, for the ride distance.  Climbing and descending is at each rider's own preferred speed.  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.  Riders are urged to carry route details with them, in their memory cells, on a portable device with charged battery, or on a printed copy of the cue sheet.

Regrouping:  We will regroup, if needed, at the top of climbs, and any time riders become separated by more than the distance between turns.  If you are far enough ahead or behind the group that you are out of sight or out of voice range, please consult the ride map or cues before proceeding through any intersections. The route is complex and even a trail or small side street counts as an intersection.  If you consistently ride out of voice range ahead of the group, you may be deemed as off the ride.  

Rest and Food Stops:  Restrooms are available near the start at Marina Park, and we will stop there at the beginning of the ride; and at mile 24 (Downtown Bellevue park).  Snack/coffee stop at Starbucks in the QFC shopping center on the south end of Mercer Island at mile 16. There will be an optional stop at Marina Park at the end in case any rider needs to stop.  

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 you may be asked to ride at 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.

Cancellation:  Ride will be cancelled for inclement weather as listed above, or other hazardous road or riding conditions such as steady strong winds or unhealthy air quality.   Should conditions call for a cancellation, 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.

If you have any questions, you may contact the ride leader.  Looking forward to riding with you!