Cascade Training Series
- Wish you could join your friends who ride long distances?
- Looking for friends who like riding long distances at your speed?
- Want to comfortably ride a century?
- Want to ride faster and more efficiently?
The 9th Annual Cascade Training Series could be for you! This free, weekly, multi-paced training series is designed to prepare you physically for STP, RSVP, RAW or your own personal riding goals. We planned this program to help you meet new cycling friends and improve your riding skills. The Cascade Training Series starts on March 7 and 8 and goes through July 5.
The first weekend is a Group Riding Skills Clinic by our Education Department. It is designed to give newer riders the basic such as lane positioning, braking, scanning to the rear and communications, all essential skills for group riding. See the Daily Rides calendar for details. The first ride days, March 14 and 15, include an orientation in CTS procedures followed by a single pace ride.
 Cascade Training Series (CTS)
Designed for the returning or newer rider, CTS offers three paces:
11-12 mph, 12-14 mph, and 14-16 mph.
Cascade Advanced Training Series (CATS)
CATS is faster (16-18 mph, 18-20 mph, and 20+ mph) for those riders with higher fitness or riders who want to push themselves harder. CATS will be longer and more challenging.
CTS and CATS groups will start at different locations each training ride. Start locations rotate around the greater Seattle area. The mileage increases by 5-10 miles per week. As your fitness improves, easier rides are scheduled to allow your body to recover. The program builds to Flying Wheels (June 13) and then to a flat century on June 28, two weeks before STP. All of the rides offer an exciting menu of routes from classics, like the Lake Washington loop, to destinations, such as Black Diamond and beyond. All rides are led by Cascade ride leaders.
All CTS and CATS ride information is posted on the Daily Ride Calendar and the Schedule shows the entire season. Maps and cue sheets can be found in the Cycle University CTS schedule.
All rides subject to change: see the Daily Rides Calendar or the Cascade Courier for updated info and start times)
Ground Rules
- Carry adequate food and TWO water bottles
- Be prepared to deal with your own flat tires and mechanical problems
- Have a personal plan for getting home in case of a minor accident or mechanical problem
- Carry cash, spare tubes, tools, pump and useful phone numbers.
- Come prepared to deal with inclement weather, especially early in the season - we don't want anyone becoming hypothermic.
- Never ride with earphones or earbud(s). Pull off and stop when using a cell phone.
Hard and steady rain usually cancels these rides. Call Cycle U's weather hotline at 1-800-476-0681, ext. 18. You can call this number up to 24 hours in advance to find out if the ride has been cancelled.
Suggested Requirements
If you are not yet in condition to ride 30 miles or more at an 11 mph or faster pace, or aren't comfortable riding in a group, try some of the Leisurely- or Steady-paced rides listed in Cascade's Daily Rides Calendar before trying the Training Series. We also recommend taking a class to improve your group riding skills through the Cascade Education Foundation or Cycle University.
The Cascade Training Series was designed as a way to prepare for Cascade events such as STP. First time STP riders should still attend one of the free STP Training Seminars available at participating bike shops.
Contact
cts@cascadebicycleclub.org
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