CTS Blue #6: Bellevue-Cumberland (from Newport Hills)

Welcome to CTS Blue #8 - Kent to Enumclaw loop!

All riders should be ready to ride at 8:00 am at the Kent/James St Park & Ride. You should arrive with enough time to unload your bike and leave yourself enough time to take care of business. There are no restrooms or water at the start so please come prepared. Please be sure to carry enough nourishment to last until our first scheduled food stop of the ride at mile 53.

This route will take us on a 94-mile ride from the Kent/James St Park & Ride to Enumclaw by way of the Interurban Trail, Green Valley, Ravensdale, Hobart, Kanaskat & Cumberland. We will wind our way through quieter rural roads in South King and Pierce Counties down to Orting and ride back north through Sumner to finish with a long stretch along the Interurban Trail.

Rest stops

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 as we ride these extended distances!  Monitor your motivation and mood as that is your best indicator of blood sugar.

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 these extend rides. Target one bottle per hour.  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 any kind of wet conditions are predicted, please have fenders that reach 2-4 inches from the ground!  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 with extra water, electrolytes and sunscreen as well.

Restrooms: There may be a Porta-Potty's at the ride start. For those that want a more complete facility, the first stop is 5 miles from the start at Auburn Golf Course.

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 out. Most trails in our region have 15 mph limits, except for trails in Renton, where they have been reduced to 10MPH. We need to obey all posted speed limits. The commonly traveled Burke-Gilman and Sammamish River Trails have a speed limit of 15MPH. These trails will have several sections of heavy pedestrian traffic, especially when we are riding in good weather. Be prepared to go SLOW warn pedestrians you are coming and give them the right of way.

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 made 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.