South Lake Washington Loop from Mercer Island P&R (Steady 25 mi)

Ride Description: Let’s explore the south end of Lake Washington. We’ll start at the Mercer Island Park and ride clockwise around the bottom of Lake Washington. There no restrooms at the ride start, so please plan accordingly. Arrive early enough to ready your bike, sign the ride waiver, go over riding SMART

Ride Leader Name: Matt Wong
Contact Email: email.matt.w@icloud.com

Distance: 24.4 miles

Elevation Gain: 979 feet

Pace: Steady (12-14 mph at 0% grades and without wind)

Terrain: Some Hills

Regroup: Occasional. See comments below.

Weather Cancels?: Steady rain cancels; Ice/snow cancels. See comments below

Cue Sheet: Map and cue sheet are listed under “Links” on the Cascade Bicycle Club ride announcement. Please print and bring your own cue sheet; copies will not be provided.

Planned Stops: Seward Park. mile 17

Directions to Start: From I-405, merge onto I-90 West toward Seattle. Take Exit 7 for Island Crest Way. Go straight from the off ramp light and turn right into the Mercer Island Park and Ride parking lot.

From I-5, merge onto I-90 East towards Spokane. Take Exit 7A for 77th Ave SE. Turn left onto 77th Ave SE. Turn right onto N Mercer Way. Turn left into the Mercer Island Park and Ride parking lot.

Rider Safety and Responsibilities: You must wear a properly fit helmet, ride safely and follow Cascade’s SMART guidelines. Earphones/earbuds are strictly prohibited while on a Cascade ride.

You should be able to sustain the posted pace. Please be sure you have the equipment and knowledge to fix minor mechanical issues (flat tires, dropped chains, rubbing fenders, etc.), plus a cue sheet to get home on your own or a phone to call for assistance if needed. The Ride Leaders’ responsibility is to the group, and it is at their discretion whether to stop for individuals’ mechanical issues; they will, however, stop for all medical issues and emergencies.

Wet Riding Conditions: Fenders and rain gear required.

Group Communication: Communication is key for individual and group safety. Please pass communication to the rider directly behind or in front of you. If such communication is done well, the Lead and Sweep will hear each other’s hazard communications passed through each and every rider.

Hazards:
Common calls from the Lead: Post, Hole, Crack, Glass, [railroad] Tracks, [wet] Metal (or wet painted surface), Ice, [standing] Water, Grate, other obstacle (Walker Up, Bike Up, Trash Can Up, Curb, etc.)

Common calls from the Sweep: Car Back, Bike Back

Lane Control:
Two Abreast / Single File

Group Management:
Broken / Together

Registration: To save time and to make the sign-in process easier, please register for this ride on the Cascade website. If you already have a Cascade account, make sure you are logged in and click the button at the top of the ride description, then make sure to check the box indicating you have read the Waiver & Release, add your emergency phone number, and click the button. If you can’t make the ride, you needn’t unregister. If you don’t have a Cascade account, consider spending a couple minutes setting one up. If you’re pre-registered, all you need to do at the ride start is check off your name—there’s no lengthy sign-in procedure.

Regroup Policy: We will regroup at safe places whenever the Sweep is beyond sight distance from the Lead, primarily at the top of hills, at critical turns or past intersections. If a safe regroup point isn’t available, we will “soft pedal” (ride well below pace) to allow the split group to reconnect and resume the posted pace.

Cancellation Policy: If there is heavy rain, high winds, flooding, ice/snow or other unsafe riding conditions, Ride Leaders will cancel the ride. Ride cancellations will be posted in the comments section on both the Cascade and Meetup sites, ideally two hours prior to the start time. If such posting takes place, Ride Leaders will NOT be at the start. A cancellation may also be called at the ride start or during the ride for safety reasons. CHECK THE CASCADE OR MEETUP WEBPAGE BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME. Make sure you download the cue sheet and/or RideWithGPS route after 3:00 p.m. one day before the ride to reflect any recent changes.

Links:
Ride SMART: https://cascade.org/ride-smart
New Rider Link: https://www.cascade.org/welcome-newcomers
Minors Link: https://www.cascade.org/information-parents
Becoming a Ride Leader: https://www.cascade.org/become-ride-leader