CTS Green #4: Lynnwood Lake Stevens

WELCOME TO LOVELY SNOHOMISH COUNTY

Let's meet at the north end of the Ash Way Park & Ride. Please, allow enough time to prepare your bicycle and to be ready to ride at 9 a.m. We will start with a required safety briefing, and roll out when that's done.

There are NO restrooms or WATER  at the ride start 

Don't forget to wear your CTS bracelet, and have your emergency card on your bike.

This 63-mile route starts from North Lynnwood, winding its way to Mill Creek, then to the city of Snohomish. We'll then head north along the Centennial Trail to Machias, northwest to Lake Stevens for a pleasant stretch of riding along the lake before stopping for some food at a Safeway. We then wind our way back to Snohomish before going north along the Snohomish River and back south to climb out of valley to the Mill Creek/South Everett area before finishing back at the park and ride. 

This is a challenging ride with a mix of terrain, including some sustained climbing and a lot of rollers. When you are done, you will have what is called a metric century under your belt.

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

There are no bathrooms or water at the park and ride. Please, come prepared with enough water and/or hydration mix to get to the first rest stop at 11 miles. 

Be prepared to buy water at lunch stop Safeway water fountain not working

Our restroom stops will be: Mile Point 11: Willis Tucker Park (water fountain is working);  MP 26: Machias Park restroom, water fountain maybe: MP 32 food stop (restroom availability at Safeway can be uncertain water fountain broken); MP 56.2 quick/last stop at Hague Homestead Park, water fountain slow.

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 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.