Best of Whatcom County Weekend Day 1_85 mi_Various Paces

Join us for a weekend of cycling around beautiful Whatcom County. You’ll discover the rural roads north and south of Bellingham that you don’t get a chance to see on RSVP. We will ride both Saturday and Sunday (https://www.meetup.com/cascaderides/events/171207712/), starting at 09:30 AM and will offer multiple pace groups. Non-club members are welcome.
Saturday Ride Description: Saturday’s ride will circle north of Bellingham through rolling countryside. We’ll travel to the rural town of Nooksack, visit the Dutch community of Lynden (pastries anyone?), visit the border town of Blaine, cross Lummi Nation land, and skim along the breathtaking shorelines of Drayton, Birch, and Bellingham Bays. After the ride, riders will be invited to meet up at a local eatery for no host food and beverages (a few appetizers will be provided, compliments of the RIde Directors). Rest stops are planned at miles 28.3, 44.4, and 60.5.
Saturday Stats: 84.7 mi, 2148' elevation gain

Saturday Route: Link (http://ridewithgps.com/routes/4119296) (final posted 8-4-14)

Easy Directions to Start:

• Exit 253 off I5 toward Lakeway Drive
• At bottom of exit ramp, cross King street to continue straight onto Potter.
• Take Potter 3 blocks and cross Orleans Street into Parking Lot. Entrance to SW most corner of parking lot (corner of Potter and Orleans) will be on your left.

Directions to Post-Ride Gathering, 5:00-7:00 p.m.: CHUCKANUT BREWERY & KITCHEN. Some hosted appetizers provided; no-host beverages. 601 W Holly St., Bellingham, WA (360) 752-3377. Driving directions from Civic Field: - Turn right onto Lakeway Dr 0.6 mi - Continue onto E Holly St 0.8 mi.

Paces: There will be four paces offered, with each of the pace groups riding on the higher side of the pace this late in the year: moderate (14-16 on flats), brisk (16-18 on flats), vigorous (18-20) and strenuous (20-22 on flats). Riders can ride on their own, in smaller groups, or with the appropriate Ride Leader.

Policies: Riders are required to wear a helmet and abide by Cascade Bicycle Club's riding policies (newcomer information here (http://www.cascade.org/welcome-newcomers)). Riders should be able to sustain the appropriate pace for their selected group, know how to read a cue sheet, change a flat tire (and have the equipment to do so) and have a positive attitude.

Regroups: Occasional regroups. Ride Leaders will lead with the interest of the group in mind and will not stop for flats or mechanical issues or wait excessively long for riders to catch up. Riders that are having difficulty keeping up with their pace group will need to drop back to a slower pace. All riders should print and carry their own cue sheets in case they get separated from the group.

Ride Cancellation: Steady rain cancels. Ride leaders will not be at the start in the event of weather cancellation, so please check this page for ride cancellation announcements 2 hours prior to the ride start (if in doubt).

Route Notes: These rides are not supported. We will stop at locations that have facilities (water and sometimes food) along the route, but please come prepared with your own food/beverages and carry two water bottles.

Start Time: Please arrive 20 minutes prior to departure to ready your bike, sign the waiver and hear the ride briefing. Please RSVP on Meetup for ride updates and to help us determine the appropriate number of ride leaders.

Hotels: Riders are responsible for finding their own accommodations. Please book a hotel reservation early if you plan to stay overnight in Bellingham. A listing of Bellingham hotels can be found here. (https://www.google.com/maps/search/hotels+near+1601+Orleans+St,+Bellingham,+WA+98129,+USA+/@48.7426703,-122.4663343,15z) Many are within easy biking distance to the ride start. Nicer and pricier options on the water include Hotel Bellwether, the Chrysalis Inn and Spa, and Fairhaven Village Inn.

Co-Ride Director:: Alexa Volwiler (alexa.volwiler@gmail.com) 360-303-0526
Co-Ride Director: Cathy Henley (4cathy@live.com) 206-249-6483

Pace Group Ride Leaders:
Moderate - Paula Froke, Rosemary Ferrentino, Machiko Threlkeld
Brisk - Dave Mattson, Cathy Henley, Chao Chen
Vigorous - Alexa Volwiler, Wilfried Mack, Laurie Bakke
Strenuous - Alan Tagstrom, Timothy McCarthy