Cascade Advanced Training Series @ Magnuson (CATS) #8 (Self-Paced)

Come ride with us on Cascade Advanced Training Series at Magnuson (CATS)! We are here to help you get ready for Flying Wheels, a one-day Seattle to Portland (STP) ride, and other epic summer events.

CATS is held on Saturdays from April to August starting in Magnuson Park. Mileage and total cumulative elevation gain increases weekly. Although CATS is a series, everyone is welcome to join at any time of the season. Historically, CATS riders participate at Brisk or Vigorous pace (16-18 / 18-20 mph), but all paced riders are welcome.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This ride is self-paced, meaning each rider should be prepared to ride and navigate on their own. That said, each week we have a few Ride Leaders who serve as "pace partners". They specify what pace they will be riding, and then encourage others to join them for the whole ride. This builds camaraderie and offers encouragement from other participants. Riders may join these self-forming groups as they see fit. Please upload the route information onto your GPS device/smartphone (see the Route Map link).

THIS WEEK: 77 miles, 4000 feet of elevation, riding south towards Lake Francis Park in Maple Valley, then return via Tiger Mountain and Bellevue. Portable toilets, but no water at the start. Rest stops at mile 22, 43 (pit toilet), 48 (food), 65. Pace partners for Brisk and Moderate this week. Be ready to ride at 0900. We will start with a required safety briefing, then roll out when that's done. There is a 3/4 mile section of packed gravel on this route -- easy to manage on a road bike.

Longer rides include rest stops for food, but each rider should carry their own water and snacks at the start of the ride. Every rider is also expected to have the supplies and tools needed to fix a flat and correct other minor mechanicals.  Have a plan if something interrupts your ride midway -- for example, carry an ORCA card just in case. Please be courteous to others and limit your speed on multi-use trails to the posted limit (usually 15mph, but 10mph on sections of this route).

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.

***CTS Riders: This ride is CATS/Cascade Advanced Training Series, which is different from CTS.  For more information about CTS rides, please click here.