ROAD: Ride On After Dark (Steady)

ROAD, Ride On After Dark, is back for the 2024-2025 season! Join us every Wednesday in Redmond for an approximately 21-mile ride with 1,200 feet of climbing, to help keep us fit through the winter.

🧭 Start location: We will ride out of Redmond Downtown Park, from the northwest corner, near the intersection of Redmond Way and 161st Ave. There are restrooms available at the park. See the map for details.

🚗 Parking: There is parking available at the Redmond Central Connector lot (free first 2 hours, pay $1 for an extra hour) and Redmond Transit Center Park&Ride garage (free). See map for parking options. Street parking has a 2-hour limit so it is not recommended. Please arrive early to find a parking spot and make it in time for the ride at 6:00pm. Also, please be aware that there have been recent window smashing events in downtown Redmond; don't leave any visible valuables in your car.

⌚ Ride Start: Be ready to ride at 6:00pm - we start on time. All participants must be present for the pre-ride safety talk.  There will be no exceptions to this rule.  

🚴‍♀️ Pace: This series consists of multiple paces and a separate ride posting will be made for each pace available. You should be able to sustain the appropriate pace for your selected group. Changing pace groups will not be allowed at the start or during the rides. There will be short re-groupings at the top of hills. If maintaining the pace is difficult for you, the ride leaders will do their best to accommodate, but you may have to continue the ride on your own; we ask that you drop back a pace on the next ride if this happens. 

🛠️ Mechanical issues: Groups may not stop for mechanical issues. You should know how to change a flat or deal with other minor mechanical issues and carry appropriate tools. You must have a backup plan if roadside repairs are not sufficient. You should have a charged cell phone to call for a pick-up or other means to find your way home. 

🗺️ Routes: We rotate through a library of routes and the week's route will be posted in the links to the right.  Routes may include a local trail with speed limits, and you must stay within the speed limits; most trails have a 15 mph speed limit. Please download the route file to a GPS device or phone for navigation in case of separation due to flats or other problems.

🔦 Lights: A good headlight and red taillight are required. These rides take place in the dark. You may be restricted from riding if you don’t have proper lights. Extra backup lights are recommended in case your battery dies during the ride.

🎇 New Riders: New riders are always welcome if they are able to sustain the rigors of the series. First-time riders may find these rides difficult. Please see the new rider information on the Cascade Bicycle Club website for additional general information, or contact the Series Director, Juliana Peña.

☔ Fenders: If rain is anticipated or roads are wet, please come equipped with fenders long enough to keep the person riding behind you dry. 

🚻 Rest Stops: There will be no planned rest stops as these are short rides. Restrooms are available near the start at the Downtown Park, but they may be closed after sunset. There is a portable restroom one block north at the Edge Skate Park.

🌧️ Showers Cancel: Because the rides are in the dark, any rain or drizzle will cancel the ride, as this can cause visibility issues. Other unsafe riding conditions (including ice, air quality, and wet roads) will also cause a cancelation. If the ride is canceled, all registered riders will be sent a notification email. If the ride is canceled at least two hours before the start, the ride leader(s) will not be at the start location. Please check this ride posting before leaving for the ride. Due to the unpredictability of winter weather, the ride may be canceled less than two hours from the start; in this case, a ride leader will be at the ride start to inform any riders who were not able to get the email. 

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Kids: This is a rigorous training series and it may not be appropriate for children. Please contact the Series Director, Juliana Peña, at least 48 hours in advance, for approval.

🦸 Interested in becoming a ride leader? Contact the Series Director, Juliana Peña, for information about mentoring opportunities.