Eastside Climbing Prep Ride #1 Lewis Park to Newcastle (Steady)

Getting Ready to Ride may be over, but now how about Getting Ready to Climb! This is the first in a relatively short series of rides that I am planning to help cyclists get better when they are facing some hills and long ascents. This ride can be scenic, but will also be an effort, despite the advertised “steady pace”. 

Let's meet at Lewis Creek Park Visitors Center. If you are not familiar with this location, please use Google Maps to find it. Be there, ready to go at the time listed above. We will start with a required safety briefing, and roll out when that's done.  All riders must attend the safety briefing to participate.  This route is designed for those cyclists who find hills challenging, and want to get better at them! However, if you are already good at climbing, you are welcome to join this ride, but you may have to be patient while the rest of the group catches up! 

We will climb and descend hills at our own pace, and we will regroup frequently. We'll also limit our speed on any multi-use paths to the legal maximum (usually 15 MPH, occasionally 10 MPH).

Restrooms are available at the the Lewis Creek Visitors Center. We will plan to stop at the QFC near Lake Hills for coffee and snacks at mile 11.  There are optional Restroom stops at Lake Boren Park in Newcastle (mile 22) and Newcastle Golf Course (mile 27.6). Please wear weather appropriate attire, such as insulating layers, water repellant jacket, and insulated gloves, as it is still Spring and showers can and do occur.

Bring a spare tube and tools to fix a flat, just in case. Other things to bring: phone; ID; cash and/or credit card; ORCA card; water and a small snack. 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 cancel the ride and all registered riders will be sent a notification email. Forecasts indicating Steady Rain will lead to ride cancellation.  If the ride is cancelled at least two hours before the start, Ride Leader(s) will not be at the start location. Please check your email before leaving for the ride.