CHEW 7 (Brisk)

If you are looking forward to maintaining or improving your fitness this winter, then Climbing Hills Everywhere in Winter (CHEW) is for you!

CHEW is a 12-week training series that is held on Saturdays from January through March with no ride on Feb 22 due to Chilly Hilly the next day. The rides are hilly and progress from ~30 miles and 2,000 feet of elevation gain the first week, to 65 miles and over 4,400 feet of elevation gain for the last ride. The rides pencil out with a slightly higher foot-per-mile ratio than regular FGRs, so be prepared for more than average climbing!

Ride Start: We are at week #7, and the ride starts at Tibbetts Valley Park in Issaquah (west parking lot entered from Newport Way NW).  Be there, ready to go at the time listed above. We will start with a required safety briefing, and roll out when that's done, so make sure you arrive early.  All riders must attend the safety briefing to participate.

Stops: The start/end at Tibbetts Valley Park has a single Port-a-John and NO WATER.  Please come hydrated and bring two full water bottles.  We will also stop at:

• mi 4.6 - Central Park Fields (soccer field restrooms)
• mi 21.8 - Safeway in Newcastle (food & water)

Pace: Riders should be able to sustain the appropriate pace - which is 16-18 MPH on the flats with no wind. We may ride faster than the stated pace when going downhill or when we have a tail wind, and slower when going uphill or into a head wind. We will also observe speed limits on multi-use paths/trails (sometimes 15 MPH and sometimes 10 MPH). If maintaining the pace is difficult for a rider, we will do our best to accommodate, but the rider may have to continue the ride on their own.

We will climb and descend hills at our own pace, and regroup occasionally. 

Route Navigation: All riders should have navigation in event of separation due to flats or other situations. Please either download the RWGPS route file onto your phone or GPS device (making sure you sync your device before the ride start), or print out and bring a cue sheet. Cue sheets are not available at the start.

Please note the rain route listed in the additional links, and download that too, just in case.

Mechanical Issues: Riders should know how to change a flat, or deal with other minor mechanical issues and carry a spare tube (or two!) and appropriate tools. Riders must have a backup plan if roadside repairs are not sufficient.  Riders should have a charged cell phone to call for a pick-up or have other means to find their way home. 

Other good items to carry with you besides your phone are an ID, cash and/or credit card, ORCA card, and don’t forget water and a small snack. 

Fenders:  It is that time of the year and the roads may be wet. Please be considerate to your fellow riders and have full fenders (ideally with a buddy flap that extends to within 4” of the ground). Without them, you may be asked to ride at the rear of the group.

Weather Cancellations:  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.

We hope you can join us!