About The Seward Park Series

Thanks to Seward Park Cycling Series event originator and organizer David Douglas for helping with this post.

David Douglas registering a racer at The First Rate Mortgage Season End Classic at Seward.

Over the course of this summer I frequented the weekly Seward Park Cycling Series–either to ride and/or to capture video. As a season wrap-up, I thought it would be interesting to provide a bit of context for readers who aren’t familiar with this weekly Seattle ritual and maybe fill in some blanks that even Seward veterans might not know.

David started the series in 1990 under the recommendation of the Seward Park Community group, which was looking at ways they could cultivate legitimate activities at the park. A Seward Park area cyclist named Clif Roberson visited a Gregg’s Greenlake Cycling Team meeting and asked if anyone would be interested in putting on a weekly series at Seward Park. David said yes and went from there. As the cycling series became more established, the area attracted other events, and now the park hosts activities year round.

The weekly series is held on Thursdays from 5PM until dusk or so on the Park’s upper loop:

View The First Rate Mortgage Cycling Series Course in a larger map

There are four events each night:

5 PM: The First Rate Mortgage team hosts a skills clinic for riders new to racing who want to learn the basics about cornering, drafting, riding in a group and to help reduce the fear of new racer’s first race. I attended one of these and it was helpful, though just the start for anyone interested in riding in a group situation, race or not.

Category 4 & 5 men rounding the tricky corner during The First Rate Mortgage Season End Classic.

5:30: A “beginners” race for men and women of all ages. For most in this race, it is their first year of racing while others have been in this race for a few years. This particular race is intended to be a less stressful way to learn to race than the weekend races which tend to be more competitive and aggressive.

Racers in the 6:00 PM race for category 3 & 4 racers.

6:00: An “intermediate” race that is plenty fast and often very competitive. The riders in this race are category 3 and 4 and have been racing on average 4 to 5 years.

Racers in the 7:00 PM Race negotiate the tricky hairpin at the Northwest end of the circuit.

7:00: Is for top-notch racers from category 3 to pro. Pros do show up every once in a while to spice it up. This race is typically very fast and fun.

Tyler Farrar is the most famous rider to have raced at Seward. He started racing when he was about 12, and beat guys twice or three times his age. Other top riders who have (or continue to) race at Seward include:
-Adrian Hegyvary
-David Richter (Herriott Sports Performance)
-Ian McKissick (BMC racing)
-Kenny Williams (Multi- national and world title holder)
-Russel Stevenson (Kendra)
-Tom Peterson (Garmin)

From David’s perspective, the Seward Series offers racers a great training-ground to get ready for bigger races. Many folks ride to the race–race–then ride home which adds up to an optimal training ride. This is also a way for those with weekend family obligations to race on a week night.

Masters C/D racers on the fast downhill approaching the backstretch.

“Racing at Seward is typically a next gradual step for good riders who want to try something new and more competitive. The clinic and beginners race are perfect for someone who has done the STP in one day in under 11 hours, or someone who can ride away from all their friends.”

Category 1 & 2 Women in formation at high speed at The First Rate Mortgage Season End Classic.

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