Issaquah Lake and Valley Century

As part of my effort to ride year round, I like to do at least 1 100+ mile ride per calendar month.  This month's route stays close to home but throws in a few hills for fun!  The course should be familiar to area riders, but perhaps not all the parts at one time.

Route: From Issaquah, we will head south and meet up with the Cedar River Trail.  We'll take that into Renton, then continue north on the Lake Washington Loop, stopping for warm beverages and refueling at the Stonehouse Cafe and Bakery.  Continuing north, we'll pick up the Burke Gilman and make a second top in Kenmore (yeah, Safeway/Starbucks again) before continuing clockwise to Redmond.  After that, per Emily's request, we'll head over to Carnation for stop #3 before we climb Duthie Hill at the end of the ride, finishing with a grand downhill from the Highlands back to Issaquah High School.

Pace and Regroup: The pace will be moderate and due to the distance of this ride, we will make every effort to stay together.  Riders may climb and descend at their own pace but the route has long stretches of VERY flat riding.  Please have fenders with full length mud flaps unless you're OK with riding behind everyone else.  We will maintain the speed limit (and common courtesy) on multi-use trails.  Rest breaks will be fairly brief so we don't cool down too much and also so we will complete before dark.

Restrooms:  There are no bathrooms at the start, but there's a store before mile 4.  

Please Bring: Riders should bring necessary tools and supplies to fix flats. We will be reasonable about stopping for mechanicals, but also sensitive to cold weather issues surrounding extended time off the bike.  Please have arrangements to provide self-sag if you are unable to complete the route.  Also, rides of this distance are all about managing blood sugar.  Please plan on eating and drinking at all 4 stops - 200-400 calories minimum or more! Those little energy gel packets are your friend!

Meeting Location:  We will meet in the parking lot to the north of Issaquah HS (between the HS and the Middle School).  Please plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the start in order to prepare yourself and your bike prior to safety briefing. SMART briefing will be at 7:35, and the ride rolls out at 7:40 AM sharp.  Please note that the first several miles will be in dawn hours (sunrise is 7:49, civil twilight starts at 7:10) so lights are recommended.  For those riders looking to join along the route to ride a portion of the ride, the ride leader will have a paper copy of the waiver with him and will give individual briefings / check off waiver as riders join.  Please register even if you're only planning on doing part of the ride.

Registration: To save time at the start, please register for the ride by clicking on the red Register Now button. No need to unregister if you are no longer able to ride.

Route Link: A Ride With GPS route is available at the link below.  Please print your own cue sheet if you would like one.

Cancellation policy: Steady rain cancels - I'll be at the start but you can text or email if there's any doubts. However, if the Saturday Ride is canceled and Sunday's weather looks good, please contact me as I will likely ride on Sunday.