CTS 2025 Yellow #4: Full Lake Loop

Alert:  There is no water at the start, please fill your bottles prior to arriving.  Restrooms are limited, there are two portable restrooms in a parking lot behind the start line building.  Please allow extra time if needed.  Our first official rest stop will be Seward Park at mile 7.0.

Our fourth ride takes us all the way around Lake Washington in clockwise direction.  This route is fondly called 'the full lake loop' and is roughly 50 miles with several good climbs in it.  We start from the south end of the lake at old Renton City Hall. We ride through Renton out to the Airport Perimeter Road and Rainier Ave with our first climb going up Seward Park the opposite direction we did it on ride #2.  We have our first stop at Seward Park, then we head north on Lake Washington Blvd over to the University Bridge.  From there, we ride along Burke Gillman Trail for a a good bit before we hop off and tackle a long steady climb up Sand Point Way. We drop down into the north end of the lake on Lake City Way/Bothell Way and make our second stop at Log Boom Park. We get back on the Burke Gillman Trail for another short stint, detour through the Wayne Public Golf Course gravel parking lot and start our second steady climb up Waynita way (note the detour we take onto 145th from Waynita way.) We ride up and over Market Street, through town and along the lake before climbing up 112th to the third rest stop at the Hidden Valley Boys and Girls Club. The last stretch of our ride takes us through Bellevue and along the southeast side of the lake on the new Eastrail and Lake Washington Blvd back into Renton.

This is a challenging ride that will bring you a great sense of accomplishment, take note of how you feel at the end.  We repeat this route as our last ride of the series and you will be amazed at how much easier it will be the second time around!

Nutrition: As the rides get longer and the days warmer, it becomes increasingly important to consider nutrition and hydration as you prepare for your ride. After about 20-30 miles, most people have used up the readily available carbohydrates in their system that keep them going. If you do not replenish these carbohydrates, you are likely to "hit a wall" and find yourself with reduced strength. On long rides, it is suggested that you regularly snack on something high in carbohydrates such as dates, a banana, or an energy bar even if you don't feel hungry. It is suggested that you start taking in carbohydrates at 10 - 15 miles and every 10 - 15 miles thereafter; after you "hit the wall" it's too late to try and replenish carbohydrates. Likewise, it's important to regularly drink even if you don't feel thirsty. In addition to snacks and plenty of fluid, it is suggested that you bring a lunch on all long rides. There will be an extended stop (Log Boom) for a quick sandwich.

Be sure to bring a spare tube and tools to fix a flat, just in case. During the CTS series if you have a flat tire the group will continue without you. If you repair your tire in time, you may join a later group riding the route.

Please have full fenders if the roads are wet, or you may be asked to ride at the rear of the group.

Note: If weather conditions meet the weather cancellation criterion listed above or if there are unforeseen hazardous riding conditions or other unexpected events, the Ride Director will send a ride-canceled email least two hours prior to the start and Ride Leader(s) will not be at the start location.

Email may be sent the morning of the ride updating the route as well as weather updates and cancellations.