Getting Ready to Ride - Eastside #6 (Steady and Leisurely), 26 miles

Are you new to bicycling, or just been off your bike for awhile? Is 2016 your year to get active, begin commuting, take part in the Free Group Rides, or maybe even 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 maybe the Getting Ready to Ride Series (GR2R) is for you. GR2R is an early season, eight-week progressive series that begins with a very doable first ride and then adds a bit of elevation gain, distance or technical difficulty each week. GR2R will help you to: Increase endurance and confidence.
Build hill-climbing skills.
Make new friends in the cycling community.
Gain confidence riding safely with groups.
Get ready for the Cascade Training Series (CTS), beginning in April.

GR2R rides are free and open to any rider. You will ride with others who share your pace level and your 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 you will be riding.

In the Eastside series, in additional to becoming familiar with bicycling and gaining fitness, you will learn group riding skills while exploring different Eastside communities. These will be social, stay-together rides with waits at the tops of hills, and all critical turns, along with photo-op stops along the way. Please check back at this ride posting within a day or two of the ride for updated route information. There is a bathroom (porta potty) at the start, but no water. Planned rest stop will be at about the mid-point of the ride at the Starbucks at NE 116th St and Avondale Way NE.

In addition to steady rain, ice/snow and any other hazardous conditions will cancel a ride. If a ride is cancelled due to hazardous conditions, cancellation notice will be posted here, in the comments section below, and on the Meetup announcement, by 9:00 a.m. day of the ride, and ride leaders will not be waiting at the start.

Pre-registering online: If you have a Cascade account, you can pre-register for this ride online at https://www.cascade.org/node/24216 and entering your information. Pre-registering saves time at the beginning the ride and provides legible emergency contact information. If you cannot make the ride, you do not need to un-register.

Notes: All riders should come equipped to deal with their own mechanical issues and bring enough snacks and water. Waiting for mechanical issues will be at the discretion of the ride leader. Please arrive at least 20 minutes early (10:40 a.m.) to get yourself ready, listen to the safety briefing and sign or check the waiver. 11:00 a.m. is roll-out time!

Link to route and cue sheet: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/11683022