FRUMPS: Heron Nests, Juanita Bay Nature, and Coffee (Moderate)

Join us for a 30-mile nature and coffee ride from Blyth Park in Bothell at moderate pace (14-16 mph). We'll first head to the great blue heron rookery (nesting trees) in Kenmore for a brief viewing and photo op of these amazing Dr. Seuss-like nests and birds. Then we climb and descend Juanita Drive and cross the edge of Lake Washington's Juanita Bay on the old Market Street trail (watch for pedestrians!) and pause briefly in case we are lucky enough to see otters, osprey, and more herons, an old beaver dam, and if sunny and warm enough, turtles. (We're not likely to see beavers in broad daylight.)  Then it's onward to downtown Kirkland and a brief restroom stop at Marina Park. After that it's mostly pedaling, via the 520 trail to Redmond, where we'll have a coffee/food stop at Redmond Town Center. The Redmond Central Connector trail, Willows Road, and the Sammamish River Trail will get us back to start.

Let's meet at Blyth Park near the restrooms and please be ready to ride at the start time listed above. We will begin with a required safety briefing, and roll out when that's done.  All riders must attend the safety briefing to participate.

We will climb and descend hills at our own pace, and our goal will be to regroup frequently.  We'll also limit our speed on any multi-use paths to the legal maximum (usually 15 MPH). We expect riders to be able to maintain the posted pace. We will wait briefly for anyone who falls behind, but if you are substantially off pace you may need to finish the ride on your own.

Restrooms are available at the start. The Marina Park restroom and water stop is at mile 10.5, and the coffee stop at mile 19.7.

Bring a spare tube and tools to fix a flat, just in case, and have a plan for getting home or back to the start in case you or your bike are unable to finish the route.

Please have full fenders if the roads are wet, or you may be asked to ride at the rear of the group. Mud flaps/buddy flaps, especially if they reach to 2 to 4 inches above the pavement, are a great benefit to the rider behind you when roads are wet.

Note: 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!