CTS Blue #1: Magnuson Bellevue Loop

WELCOME TO CTS 2024!

This is the beginning of an amazing Series! The first day is a big day with pace assignments, Road ID distribution, "Fix a Flat" instructions, and a ride to top it off! 

All Blue/Green Riders should be ready to ride at 10:00 AM at Cascade's headquarters in Magnuson Park. You should arrive with enough time to unload your bike (if you are driving), grab your Road ID from the check in station, and use the restroom. Give yourself plenty of time this first day, as Cascade Bicycle Club is hard to find if you have never been before and you are not familiar with Magnuson Park's layout. 

If you drive, please park in one of Magnuson Park's bigger parking lots and then bike to Cascade Bicycle Club to decrease the amount of cars outside of Sand Point businesses. If you do park close to Cascade's offices, please consider other local businesses (Magnuson Park Brewery and Sail Sand Point) and don’t park right in front of their establishments. We will have your Road IDs on site and you will be able to find a group at your pace where you are most comfortable. The Bike Corral will be set up outside the offices with plenty of space. If the weather is nice we will have tables set up outside with all of the information that you need. If the weather is not so nice, we will set up inside Cascade's headquarters.

Ride Leaders assigned to your group will talk about safe group riding skills and there will be time for questions and demonstrations of these skills prior to the ride start.

This first ride of the series takes us on a 31 mile loop from Magnuson Park out to Downtown Bellevue by way of both of the Lake Washington floating bridges. After cutting through the UW campus, we will be following a portion of the Lake Washington Loop route to get to the I-90 floating bridge. After crossing the bridge we will take a quick dip into Mercer Island and then turn north towards Bellevue where we will find our rest stop. After a quick break we ride into Medina and pick up the 520 trail to complete our floating bridge crossings and head back to the start to complete the loop. There will be restrooms at the start and at mile 20 at the Downtown Bellevue Park.

Upon your return to Cascade Bicycle Club, volunteers will lead a "Fix a Flat" demonstration and afterward, you will be able to practice on your own wheel with the help of volunteer bike mechanics. Please bring your own spare tube. If you don't know what size tube your tire takes, ask your local bike shop! If you are already confident in your ability to change a flat then consider supporting your fellow riders who may need some assistance and/or instruction. Flat tires are inevitable. The best way to prepare is to know how to fix one! You should be back at Cascade by approximately 12:30 - 1:00 PM and the "Fix a Flat" class will be another 45 min or so. Please plan accordingly. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DAY ONE:

Be dressed in your bike clothes, make sure you have water bottles ready and bring some additional snacks which you may need after your ride before changing your tire. Bring a rain jacket just in case and any other wet weather gear that you deem necessary. 

We will have volunteer bike mechanics at the start on the first day that will be able to help with minor adjustments and mechanical issues, and if you plan on using their services, arrive at least 45 minutes before the start because they will be busy.  Better yet,  make sure that your bike is in good working order before the first day of the series. If you lack bike mechanic skills, take your bike to a local bike shop to get a tune up.  They are busy this time of year, so contact them well in advance of this first ride.

Reminders

Nutrition: Take in some food or carbs every hour starting with the first hour of this ride. Have something that you can consume quickly and easily during a 1-minute stop or while moving. Keeping fueled early and often is the key to not running out of energy.

Hydration: Bring 2 water bottles, fill up at rest stops and drink plenty, consider drinking more than just water, electrolytes replace salt and other nutrients your body uses during rides. There can be up to 25 miles between water stops on CTS rides -- BE PREPARED.

Weather: Barring a perfect forecast, it is always a good idea to have a rain jacket just in case. If we do get wet weather and you do not have long fenders please be prepared to ride at the back of the group in consideration of others. If the weather is hot, please, be ready for this as well.
 

General ride posting disclaimers

Route: Check on Friday before the ride and update your device if needed (or pin the route.) Please note: If you check/update your version on Friday you should have the most current information. Be assured that your ride leaders will have the best information and you can always rely on them for good directions. 

Trails: On weekends, trails typically have heavy pedestrian traffic near parks, especially when the weather is nice. Most trails in our region have 15 mph limits, except for trails in Renton, where they have been reduced to 10 mph. We need to obey all posted speed limits. 

Cancelation policy: Steady rain or otherwise unsafe riding conditions (including air quality or any unforeseen hazardous conditions) will cause a cancelation. Cancelation when possible will be posted in the comments section below at least two hours prior to the ride start. All registered riders will receive an email. and ride leaders will not be at the ride start. In the unlikely event that circumstances change after the 2-hour time frame, riders will be emailed and ride leaders will be at the ride start to advise people of the situation.