Guest Blogger: Sandie Smith

50 miles around the lake - are you up for it?

I flew into Seattle for my job interview on a sunny day, and looked down upon Lake Washington as we descended.  The young lady sitting beside me, a Seattle local, said, “there’s a bike path marked so you can ride all the way around the lake.” From the air, the ride’s length seemed formidable.  But one day I set out with a friend to do it, and it quickly became one of my favorite rides.

Have you ‘done the lake loop’ yet?

Join ride Leader Craig Daly on Saturday, March 2, to complete the 50-mile loop at a brisk (16-18mph) pace.  The ride starts at Renton’s Linear Park in Renton at 9 a.m.  The ride will regroup frequently and there will be a coffee stop  halfway through the ride.

Looking for more riding opportunities? All Cascade free daily rides are published online. Everyone is welcome, but if you’re new, please read through our information for newcomers and parents.

Guest Blogger:  Mary Remoaldo

Calling all brisk riders to join Lico Enriquez  this Saturday, Feb  23, for a ride through Renton’s neighborhoods and back roads.  Everyone’s welcome to practice their Spanish and make new friends on this 49 kilometer morning ride (that’s 30 miles for us non-metric types).

The ride starts at Renton’s Old City Hall, 200 Mill Avenue S, at 9 a.m. There’s no sweep, so please make sure your bike is in good shape, and carry a cue sheet.

I can’t be there, but can someone teach me how to say “On your left” in Spanish?

Looking for more riding opportunities? All Cascade free daily rides are published online. Everyone is welcome, but if you’re new, please read through our information for newcomers and parents.

Guest blogger: Sandie Smith

The Great Seattle Fire of 1889 led to some endings…and some beginnings.  One of those endings was Seattle’s Chinatown neighborhood, which was destroyed by the fire.
But the Chinese immigrants, an industrious group who had already moved 1000’s of miles, simply moved again.  Thus was born the International District.  The buildings clearly represent a blending that was taking place among these people – a blending of American and Asian culture.

Join Norm Tjaden on Friday, Feb. 15 for a biking and walking tour of these mostly early 20th century buildings.  Assuming there are no rainy, icy or snowy conditions that day, the ride will commence at Gas Works Park at 10 a.m.  The route will include 25 miles of mostly flat terrain at a leisurely pace, as well as some walking miles through the district.  You’ll want to pack a lock for your bike, walking shoes and, no doubt, a camera.  The district is filled with many authentic international restaurants, so bring along money for lunch.

Got questions?  Call Norm at (206)525-2366.

Looking for more riding opportunities? All Cascade free daily rides are published online. Everyone is welcome, but if you’re new, please read through our information for newcomers and parents.

Guest Blogger: Mary Remoaldo

Join Duane Wright on Saturday, Feb. 9 to ride the Seattle Marathon route.  Well, most of it anyway.  Enjoy this steady-paced “marathon” from the comfort of your bike saddle.  Take in incredible views of the Seattle skyline and Lake Washington on this 26.2 mile route that includes some hills.  There’s sure to be a water station or two along the way, but bring your own water and nutrition too.

It’s a 10 a.m. start, so meet on the north side of the EMP at the Seattle Center, sign the waiver, listen to the safety briefing and talk about the benefits of carbo-loading  with anyone who’ll listen.

There will be frequent regrouping for this ride, but just in case you “hit the wall”, cue sheets will be available.

When you cross the finish line, we don’t recommend you mimic those runners and take your hands off the handlebars, but we do expect high fives all around!

Looking for more riding opportunities? All Cascade free daily rides are published online. Everyone is welcome, but if you’re new, please read through our information for newcomers and parents.

According to the US  Department of Commerce, more than 20 million bicycles are sold in the US each year – and many of those are to new riders.

To support the efforts of people like you, Cascade Bicycle Club has great riding opportunities for you.  If 2013 is going to be the year you got out on your bike more but January is slipping away with dust still covering the bike seat, join Bill Lemke on Friday, Feb. 1 at Gas Works Park at 10 a.m.

While the 20- to 30 -mile route will be hilly, Bill welcomes all levels of riders for this meander through beautiful streets of Queen Anne, Magnolia, and the Ship Canal Trail.  The pace will be 10 to 12 mph, and walkers on the hills will always be waited for.

Bring along some money for a lunch stop.  And if it’s steady rain or icy, stay home and peruse the Free Daily Rides Calendar for your next great opportunity!

And remember – everyone is always welcome on Cascade rides!  But if you’re new, please read through our information for newcomers and parents.