Cycle The Gap 2024 #1: Eastside Urban Loop (Leisurely)

The CYCLE THE GAP TRAINING SERIES (CTG)  is a five-week series of rides to help folks get in shape for Cascade's Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party (RSVP) -  Aug. 24-25 and other late summer events. CTG will run for five Saturdays, from July 20 to August 17.  CTG is designed to build endurance and strength. The rides will incrementally increase in distance and elevation gain starting at 41 miles with 1,800’ of elevation gain and concluding with a 79 mile 3,400’ route.

Today’s ride: A 41 mile, 1,800’ route from the Bothell Park & Ride at the Leisurely Pace (10-12 mph when flat with no head or tail winds.) We will ride clockwise, southbound along the west side of Lake Sammamish and then north through Bellevue along the east side of Lake Washington.

**NOTE** There are no restrooms or water at the start (but we have a restroom stop at mile 2.)   

Rest Stops: The first rest stop will be at mile 2.  We will be making a 20 minute rest stop at Enatai Beach Park at mile 26, please be sure to bring a lunch\snack. There will be an optional rest stop at Blyth Park at mile 41. 

The Basics:  These rides are not supported. Riders should be able to sustain the pace, carry nutrition/water, a cell phone to call for assistance, and have the know-how and equipment to fix a flat tire.  We will pause briefly to assess any mechanical problem, but will not delay the group for an extended time. Everyone may climb the hills at their own pace and we will regroup at the top. We will observe posted speed limits on multi-use trails (usually 15mph, but sometimes 10mph).

Be considerate and have full fenders including mud flaps if roads are wet or a prediction of rain is in the forecast. If you don't have fenders, you will be asked to ride at the rear of the group.  

New Riders:  We are very happy to have you with us.  Please read the New Rider link (“Read our newcomer information”), above, and keep in mind that a helmet is required for all Cascade rides. 

Weather - If on the evening before the ride Weather Underground predicts more than a 50% chance of more than .2" of rain or showers between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm, the Ride Leader will post a ride-canceled note in the Comments section below and will send everyone who has registered an email advising of the cancelation. Additionally if there is poor Air Quality (above 125 on the Airnow.gov website), 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 canceled at least two hours before the start, Ride Leader(s) will not be at the start location. Please check before leaving for the ride.