Getting Ready to Ride Eastside #5: 520 & Kirkland Connector Trails (Leisurely)

Are you new to bicycling, or just been off your bike for a while? Is this your year to get active, begin commuting, take part in Cascade's Free Group Rides, 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 begins with a trail ride and then 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; experienced volunteers who enjoy riding, are knowledgeable about bike safety and the rules of the road, and who know the routes.

During the Eastside series, we will explore different neighborhoods (often with great views) and take advantage of some of the trails and roads in the area. These will be rides with waits at the top of hills (which we will climb at our own pace) and at all critical turns, along with some photo-op stops. 

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.

Ride Notes:  All riders should bring ID; spare tube, tools, patch kit, pump, and skills to fix flats; a phone and a plan for rescue if your bike fails; and snacks and water. Waiting for mechanical issues will be at the discretion of the ride leader. It’s winter, so please dress appropriately and use fenders with long mudflaps on your bike or you will be asked to ride at the back of the group. Please download or print the Ride with GPS route if needed, ride leaders will not have copies.

Ride #5 meets at 60 Acres Park in Redmond (furthest SE parking lot) in Redmond and 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. This week's ride will be 21 miles and will take us along the both the 520 Trail and the newly opened Kirkland Connector Trail. A port-a-potty is available at the start, but no water is available so please fill up at home.

PLEASE NOTE: About 8 miles of today's route are on well-maintained crushed rock trail. It's OK to ride on with a road bike.

This week's ride is supported by Cascade's Women and Non-binary Program (WNB). A WNB Ride Leader will be at the ride start location 30 minutes early for those who have questions or would like to chat; please introduce yourself to us! Look for the rainbow ribbons on our helmets. 

We hope you can join us!