CANCELLED: Three Tree Point and Normandy Park Loop

Are you currently in a training series and looking for a short warm up ride before an upcoming century or another summer ride? Do you love to climb hills and take in great views?  If you answered yes to either or both, then this may be the ride for you. This is a challenging; yet, short, fun ride geared towards those who are currently training in a progressive weekly series or for a rider who has been riding regularly throughout the season and enjoys climbing hills and having fun. We will ride up the Des Moines Creek Trail, circle around Normandy Park, Burien/Seahurst, ride along Three Tree Point, enjoy the Normandy Park neighborhood, and finally take in the wonderful Puget Sound views from Des Moines. This ride includes a short refreshment stop at mile 6.3 at the Burien Starbucks.

The ride will start and finish at the South Marina Park parking lot at the Des Moines Marina. The South Marina Park is located at the corner of 6th Ave S and S 227th Street, Des Moines, it is located kitty corner from Anthony's Home Port. The parking lot entrance for the park is Dock Street S and S 227th Street. There is ample parking at the marina, the lot where we will meet up in next to a huge artwork mural. There are public restrooms at the North end of the marina next to the public pier.

For those who are interested, there will be the opportunity to visit the Des Moines Waterfront Market after the ride. The market takes place at the North end of the marina 10 AM - 2 PM on Saturdays, and is filled with produce and other vendors, Snohomish Bakery is back this year, and there are a few food trucks too. For safety reasons, there is no biking through the market walkway areas, please.

Pace: The pace of this ride will be high-steady/low-moderate (13-15 mph on the flats assuming no wind).  If we have a headwind, the pace will be lower; if we have a tailwind, the pace may be higher.  Hills are self-paced, and we regroup at the top of major hills for a reasonable amount of time. Please note: For any riders who are unable to maintain the pace and keep up, the Ride Leaders may not be able to stay with you, so you will need to be comfortable riding on your own or make arrangements to have someone come and pick you up. We want everyone to ride hard, but to have fun and get back safely. All are encouraged to print a cue sheet or download to a navigation device, please see the RWGPS link below.

Requirements: Helmets are required. Fenders are also required if the roads are wet or there is any chance of rain. Please arrive 20 minutes early in order to sign the liability release, check-in and hear the safety S.M.A.R.T. briefing. In order to ride, you must be present at the safety S.M.A.R.T. briefing. Please ensure your bike is in good working order before joining and come prepared with the requisite tools and knowledge to fix flats and minor mechanical issues. Spare tube, tire irons, pumps or CO2, and allen tools are recommended.

Sign Up: You may also register for this ride online, by clicking on the "Register" button under the ride title, checking the Waiver Signature box, and saving registration. Registering requires a Cascade account. If you can’t make the ride you do not need to unregister. If you preregister via the Cascade website, please be sure to check in when you arrive for the ride and check your name off on the waiver. Meet Up sign up is encouraged too, see the link to Meet Up below.

Weather cancellation:The ride leader will not be at the ride start should inclement weather and unsafe road conditions meet the definition for cancellation (showers, steady rain). Ride cancellation will be announced in the Comments Section below and on Meetup at least two (2) hours prior to the ride start.

If you are a new rider to Cascade Free Group Rides, we welcome you! Please click on the link and read important information for Cascade Bicycle newcomers: http://www.cascade.org/welcome-newcomers.