April 2014
Come Ride With Us!
By Alexa Volwiler, Volunteer Ride Leader and Rides Committee Member
You may have heard of Cascade’s Free Group Rides program. When I first heard about it, I was a bit skeptical about joining a group ride, but one day I did—and I’ve been hooked ever since. Today, I am but one of many volunteers that make this program possible. The volunteer ride leaders work diligently to select routes that are well designed and safe, offer paces that meet the needs of riders and facilitate the group’s coordination for a fun ride. We work hard to ensure that all riders have a good experience. Whether your goal is to train for STP, RAMROD, a multi-day tour or your first organized event—or maybe to just go out for a ride with others for health and happiness— we have a ride for you! With more than 2,000 free group rides offered annually, there are a lot to choose from. As part of the program, we also offer some free training series and out-of-town events. Here are just a few examples:
Climbing Hills Eastside, Winter (CHEW) Series
This fun, challenging series is devoted to keeping you motivated during the winter months. Riders gather strength climbing some of our best hills on the Eastside. Riders come out of this series strong and ready for the spring riding season. Series runs from January to the end of March; paces steady to strenuous offered.
Cascade Advanced Training Series – Eastside (CATS – Eastside)
This series targets more advanced riders, those who have a goal to ride STP in one day, to ride RAMROD or to complete another challenging event ride. We are working hard to
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New Cascade event ride!
put together routes off the beaten path that riders will find enjoyable but also challenging--the best of the Eastside! This series brings together the joys of group riding with the challenge of other self- guided series. Series runs from April to June; paces brisk and strenuous offered.
Walla Walla weekend getaway
For those of you looking for something new outside of our typical urban routes, consider joining us in Walla Walla the weekend of May 9-11. Aside from great riding, we have organized wine tastings and will have an opportunity to see the Walla Walla Balloon Stampede. Come experience the beauty of the Blue Mountains and spring wheat fields. Paces steady to strenuous offered. Midweek Eastside Evening Training Series (MEETS)
Riders looking to complement weekend riding with midweek training should consider joining us for MEETS. This series is offered every Wednesday evening from two start locations – Marymoor Park and South Bellevue Park and Ride. The goal is to get a good workout in less than two-and-a-half hours. Paces vary by location with steady to strenuous offered. Whatcom County getaway weekend
Explore the best Whatcom County has to offer by bike. We will travel up to Lynden, around Birch Bay, skirt along Galbraith Mountain, climb scenic Chuckanut Drive and pass Bellingham Bay. Of course, a tour of WWU and visiting the quaint local establishments is in store. For beer lovers, Boundary Bay Brewery is a must. Dates are August 9-10; paces steady to strenuous offered. For more rides, flip to page 9 or visit Cascade’s online calendar (cascade.org/calendar). Many are also cross-posted to Cascade’s Free Group Rides Meetup page. So come ride with us! You won’t meet a friendlier, more accepting group of cyclists.
Sunday, June 8
Due to the overwhelming popularity of our Seattle Bike-n-Brews ride, we have added a brand new event to this year’s ride roster: Seattle Bike-n-Brews El Norte! Bike-n-Brews El Norte is a relaxed, urban event for cyclists who enjoy flat city/trail riding and local craft beers. Last year’s inaugural event drew a truly eclectic mix of riders young and old, Lycra and jeans, fixies and carbon road bikes. The route for El Norte (Spanish for “the north”) begins and ends at scenic Myrtle Edwards Park near Downtown Seattle. Riders are taken on a 38-mile out-and-back course to Kenmore, using the Elliott Bay, Ship Canal and Burke-Gilman bike trails, and lightly traveled roads in between.
The mid-point rest stop will be at 192 Brewing Company in Kenmore. Riders can chill out with a refreshing beer or soda, and hot food will be available for purchase. The Myrtle Edwards Finish Line Festival overlooks beautiful Elliott Bay and features live music and beer from both Fremont Brewing and Peddler Brewing Companies! With their paid registration, riders receive two complimentary beverages. Plus, register by May 28 and get a free Bike-n-Brews t-shirt! With only 350 feet of total elevation gain and route options of 12, 38 or 48 miles, El Norte will be a blast for riders of all ability levels. So rally your friends and register today at cascade.org.
www.cascade.org