Saturday Morning Social Ride with Amigos

Welcome !  This is an "Amigos" ride from the Monroe Plaza Shopping Center in Monroe. This week’s ride features gentle climbing and descending with rolling roads through the rural farm country around Monroe and Sultan. This is a fun social ride, so we will climb and descend at our own pace and will regroup at the top of the hills or at bottom of a descent, as needed to stay together. 

The "Amigos" refers to friends who have been riding together for years, two of us became ride leaders to spread the physical and social aspect of bike riding with our Cascade Club friends. Our third Amigo was a ride leader for 8 years with the Snohomish Bicycle shop. The "Amigos" rides will have a similar feel to the old shop rides. We stay together and encourage each other at all times. 

If you have been riding at a steady pace and are ready to try a moderate ride, this is the ride for you. We stay together. The challenge is on the hills. You will not be dropped and left for dead. Your efforts will be rewarded as you are cheered on by the "peloton." 

Having Fun : All riders are responsible to promote a great experience by having a positive attitude and prepared to enjoy the beauty of our surroundings. We ride for fun!

Start Time & Location: We will meet in the center of the parking lot of the Monroe Plaza Shopping Center.  Please be there, ready to ride, at 9:00 AM. We will start with the required safety briefing, and roll out when that's done.  If you miss the briefing you will not be able to ride with the group. 

Parking :  There is adequate parking at the Monroe Plaza Shopping Center.

Restrooms: Restrooms are available near the start. 

Pace: The "Amigos" ride at a socially moderate pace (14-16 mph on the flats.)  When on multi-use trails we will observe the trail speed limit. Climb and descend hills at your own pace, and we will regroup at the bottom of the hill or at the top. 

Navigation: The planned route sheet is at the link below labeled Route below. The goal is to stay together via regrouping as needed.  Please, bring navigation aids in case you need to finish on your own, as the ride becomes self-led for those who choose to ride ahead of or behind the group. 

Weather Cancelation: Steady rain, an AQI over 75 or other unsafe conditions cancels the ride. 

Cancelation Process: If weather conditions meet the weather cancelation criterion listed above or if there are unforeseen hazardous riding conditions or other unexpected events, the Ride Leader will post a ride-canceled note in the Comments section below at least two hours prior to the start and Ride Leader(s) will not be at the start location.

Fenders: Please be considerate of other riders' comfort and safety by using full fenders with long, stable mud flaps (ideally 2" and a maximum of 4" from the ground) if rain is possible or the roads are wet. You may still ride without such long fenders and flaps, but if it's wet you will need to ride at the back of the group (behind all bikes with better fenders.)

Repairs: Be prepared with the equipment and know-how to take care of your own flats and minor mechanicals, and a plan to get back to the start (ORCA card or someone to call.) If you have a flat/mechanical the group will stop briefly to make sure you are OK. Keep in mind, the group will not wait indefinitely for repairs to be completed and will continue riding after a 15-minute stop.

We hope you can join us!