CTS Blue #8 - To Enumclaw and Back

Welcome to CTS ride # 8 To Enumclaw and Back

Let's meet at the north end of Tukwila Park and Ride and have your bike ready to roll out at 8 a.m. Restrooms are available at Foster Links Public Golf Course 0.2 miles southeast of the park and ride, across Interurban Avenue. Arrive early if planning to use the facilities as our next restroom stop will be at mile 14.

We'll start with the required safety briefing and roll out when that's done. Don't forget to wear your CTS Emergency Contact ID bracelet.

This 92-mile route is relatively flat to ease us back into things from either Flying Wheels or an off-week the previous weekend. We do have one notable climb out of the Green River Valley, only this time we'll be heading towards Enumclaw. We first head out of Tukwila towards the south, going through industrial area and onto the Interurban trail, until we turn towards the beautiful Green River Valley again. After this long warmup we'll pause for a clothing change and to grab our climbing-legs before tackling our climb of the day (212th Way Southeast). The climb is about a mile long with a brief pitch up to 14%. We'll regroup and then enjoy the views of farmlands and Mount Rainier (hopefully!) It's downhill nearly the whole way back, shortly after our rest stop in Enumclaw and a quick spin on part of Mud Mountain road. We'll loop through the south end of Pierce County then finish with Frager Road and more Interurban Trail back to the park and ride. 

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 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 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.