MUMPS (Brisk): 5 Cities Eastside Loop (featuring Fisher Hill)

Join us for this brisk-paced loop, including a stretch of West Lake Sammamish, Newport/164th (aka Fisher) hill, a scenic cruise through Medina and over the 520 trail, along the Kirkland waterfront, and up and down Market and Juanita (no Holmes Point this time, sorry!).  When on multi-user trails we will observe trail speed limits.  

If you aren't familiar with the Newport/164th climb, it's about 800' (measured from the turn off of Lake Sammamish Pkwy, according to RWGPS) but never gets very steep, so it makes a good climbing endurance workout. Climb at your own pace; there's a regroup spot at the top (restroom available), marked on the RWGPS map and cue sheet.

Restroom at the start, frequent rest stops on the route (roughly 10 mile intervals, as noted on the RWGPS map/cue sheet) and a coffee/pastry stop at mile 31 (Belle Pastry in Bellevue)

The long-range forecast has been looking iffy; this route offers shortcuts to get us back sooner if it rains while we're out, but the ride will be cancelled if it's raining the morning of the ride, or if precip seems likely (based on the then-current forecast). 

If there's a chance of precipitation (or wet roads) and we decide to ride anyway, fenders with long mud flaps are recommended. You can ride a naked bike, but anywhere the road is wet, riders with fenders/flaps that don't extend to within 5" of the ground need to take the initiative to stay behind everyone with better fenders, as a matter of safety and courtesy. We'll knock down the pace a bit to accommodate rain bikes.

Route map and cue sheet at the Link, below.

Bring tools and knowledge to repair flats; we'll pause briefly for flat repair and minor mechanicals, but have a phone and a plan to get home/back to the start if needed.

Please register at least two hours in advance on this website to save time at the start. You can also register at the start.

Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early for briefing and ride prep so that we can leave on time.

In case of cancellation for any reason, including air quality, the ride leader will not be at the start, and notice will be posted here at least two hours prior; please check "Comments" (below) before heading to the start (and check your email, if you registered online).