Midweek Tune-Up: Hills of Kirkland (Moderate)

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

Our Route: We'll climb Market and part of Juanita out of Kirkland. After a stretch on the Burke Gilman Trail, 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 +/-).

Note for repeat riders: This route detours to the right off of Juanita at 122nd Pl (where we usually turn left on Holmes Point for the the Seminary climb, which we'll skip), then heads north on 84th Ave NE. This takes about 2mi/200' off of the course, and avoids many "issues" on Juanita. 

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

Can't make it after all? Please cancel your registration to open spots for other riders. If possible, cancel before 8:00 AM on the morning of the ride. (Click on the green "Register or Cancel" button and follow the prompts)

Ride Start: 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.

Start Location: 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.

Pace: 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.

Note that there are a few flat stretches approaching regroups/rest stops where group pace may briefly exceed 16mph; feel free to hang back and meet us at the stop.

Restrooms: No restroom at the start, but we'll stop at Marina Park at mile 2.5. Additional stops at Blyth Park (mile 13) and 60 Acres (mile 25). 

Food: Bring snacks; we won't make a coffee/lunch stop, but there will be time to eat, drink, and socialize at the rest stops.

Navigation: 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.

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

Fenders: 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, but no more than 4"), you'll need to take the initiative to stay behind everyone with better fenders.

Flashing Lights: Please reserve high-output flashing/blinking lights for your solo rides; they can distract others on group rides. Setting them to constant-on (non-flashing) or "peloton mode" is appreciated.

Cancellation: Note: If weather conditions meet the weather cancellation criterion listed in the Weather Status 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 canceled 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 showers/rain are forecast (and the ride isn't officially cancelled) we may ride a shortened route.

Hope you can join us!