CTS Blue #1 - Series Kick-Off at Magnuson

Welcome to CTS 2025 ride # 1 (Blue)

Whether you're training for fun, a one or two day STP, or something even larger, we're excited you are here and ready to start this amazing series for 2025! We will have many things to do today to start this series off right! These include distributing the all important CTS ID bracelet's and color ribbons, pace sub-grouping, a post-ride "Fix a Flat" workshop, and of course a bike ride to begin our 2025 training experience!

All Blue (Brisk) Riders should be ready to ride at 8:25 AM at Cascade's headquarters in Magnuson Park. 

Give yourself plenty of time this first day, as the Cascade Bicycle Club can be hard to find if you have never been before and are not familiar with Magnuson Park's layout. It is suggested you plan to arrive at least 30 minutes BEFORE the ride to give yourself plenty of time to get your bike unloaded (if you are driving), pump up your tires, grab your CTS ID bracelet, a color ribbon for your helmet, and use the restroom.

If you drive, please park in one of Magnuson Park's bigger parking lots away from the club and then bike to the Cascade Bicycle Club to decrease the number 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. 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 the information that you need. If the weather is not so nice, we will set up inside Cascade's headquarters.

CTS Day One Tips

• Arrive dressed in your bike clothes
• Make sure you have your water bottles ready
• Carry a spare tube and mini-pump or CO2 inflator
• Bring additional snacks for after your ride before changing a tire at the "Fix a Flat" workshop.
• Bring a rain jacket just in case and any other wet weather gear you deem necessary.
• If it has rained recently or wet weather is in the forecast, don't forget the fender with a buddy flap!

Ride Description

This introductory ride to the series will take us on a 29 mile loop from Magnuson Park out to the east side of Lake Washington, through Medina and Kirkland by way of the 520 Bridge trail. It is a good shakeout ride to help with determining a good pace group. Not only will this help you find a good pace subgroup, but by you attending, it will help others find theirs as well. 

We will begin by heading out to the Burke-Gilman Trail and connecting to the outskirts of the UW stadium before crossing the 520 bridge. After crossing, we will ride a counterclockwise loop through Medina before picking up the 520 trail again, descending into Kirkland, connecting with Lake Washington Boulevard and beginning a loop up to the core of Kirkland. At the top of our loop, we will have another longer rest stop at the Kirkland Marina Park with full facilities at mile 16. We will then begin heading back to the 520 trail to complete our ride to the Cascade Bicycle Club.

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 11:30 - 12:30 PM and the drop-in "Fix a Flat" workshop will be around 45 minutes or so if you attend.

Rest stops

Biking 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 continue riding extended distances with more climbing.

Hydration: Bring 2 water bottles, fill up at rest stops and drink plenty, consider drinking more than just water, electrolytes replace salt and other nutriments your body uses during these extend 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. 

Cancellation policy: 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 cancel the ride and all registered riders will be sent a notification email. If the ride is cancelled at least two hours before the start, Ride Leader(s) will not be at the start location. Please check before leaving for the ride.

Please check your email the morning of the ride for any final updates.  Route may be updated, as well as weather updates and cancellations.