Getting Ready to Ride - North #1: Centennial Trail (Leisurely)

Are you new to bicycling, or just been off your bike for a while? Is 2024 your year to get active, begin commuting, take part in the Free Group Rides, or maybe even tackle your first century (100-mile ride), the STP, or another personal challenge? Are you a bit unsure about your biking capabilities, riding in groups, or cycling during winter? If so, then the Getting Ready to Ride Series (GR2R) is for you. GR2R is an early season, eight-week progressive series that adds a bit of elevation gain, distance or technical difficulty each week.

GR2R rides are free and open to anyone. You will ride with others who share your pace and enthusiasm for riding. All rides will be led by Cascade Ride Leaders.  They are experienced volunteers who enjoy riding, are knowledgeable about bike safety and the rules of the road, and who know the routes. This ride will be at a "Leisurely" pace, which means 10–12 mph on flat surfaces with no wind.

During the North End Series, we will primarily explore Snohomish County (often with great views) and take advantage of some of the trails, less traveled country roads and neighborhood streets. These will be social, stay-together rides with waits at the top of hills and at all critical turns, along with some photo-op stops. We have posted some links below which we believe may be helpful particularly if you are not an experienced rider.

For our first ride we will be meeting at a Centennial Trail trailhead just North of the town of Snohomish where there is a portable restroom. We will make a brief stop at Machias Station (mile 3) where there is water and a restroom. The ride will be on the trail out to Lake Cassidy near our halfway point where there is also a portable restroom. On the way back we will ride for about 2 miles on some low traveled country roads with minor hills before getting back on the trail.

Please be ready to ride at 10:00. We will start with a required safety briefing and roll out when that's done. All riders must attend the safety briefing to participate. Be sure to bring a spare tube as well as the tools and knowledge to fix a flat - we will stay with you while you fix a flat. If the roads are wet, please have fenders or plan on riding at the end of the line.

We hope you can join us!