CTS Blue #3 - Full Lake Loop

Welcome to CTS ride # 3 - THE FULL LAKE LOOP!

Let's meet at the parking lot south of Renton's Old City Hall and public library. Have your bike ready and be ready to roll out at 9 a.m. There is NO water or restroom at this start, and the first available water will be at Logboom nearly 26 miles into the ride, so please bring two full water bottles to the start! We will stop for a restroom break at Atlantic City Boat Ramp at mile 5.

We'll start with a required safety briefing and roll out when that's done. Don't forget to wear your CTS Emergency Contact ID bracelet. If you missed CTS 1 or 2, we will make our best effort to have your bracelets available at the start of this ride.

This 50-mile route is a CTS classic, taking us around Lake Washington in a clockwise direction from Renton. We start through downtown Renton, then head north along the lake, passing through the University of Washington area to get to our first sustained climb up Sand Point Way. We'll regroup near the top of the climb and then drop to our second stop at Log Boom Park in Kenmore on the north end of the lake. It's a good spot for a snack if you bring one. (Note: The city has posted the plaza/playground area around the restrooms as a no-riding zone. Please, dismount and walk your bikes on the plaza.) We then head east to the second sustained climb up Waynita Way. Once again, we'll regroup soon after detouring off Waynita Way to avoid the construction area. Later we'll ride up Market Street in Kirkland and up 112th into Bellevue -- both sustained climbs with regroups at the tops. It is downhill from there, ... well, mostly. The last stretch of our ride takes us through Bellevue and along the southeast side of the lake on the Eastrail and Lake Washington Boulevard, with a third stop at Newcastle Beach Park on the way back into Renton.

This is a challenging ride that will give you a sense of accomplishment. Take note of how you feel at the end. We repeat this route (with a different start point) as our last ride of the series and you will be amazed at how much easier it will be the second time around.

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).

Port-a-lets may be available in the parking lot of the sports fields north of the old city hall. Drinking water is not available so, please, come prepared with enough water and/or hydration mix to go 5 miles -- our first stop with working water fountains.

We will stop along the way for restrooms and water at the Atlantic City Boat Ramp at mile point 5; water and bathrooms will be available at Log Boom Park at mile point 26 and at Newcastle Beach Park at mile point 42. If you will need a snack or a bite to eat along the route, bring it with you; there are no food stops on this route.

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 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 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 Leader 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.