Seattle’s “meet the teams” season is an opportunity for folks new to racing to check out some of Seattle’s bicycle teams, and determine which might the best match–both in terms of shared chemistry as well as racing ambitions.
The series starts on Saturday September 7 and runs through the end of October. Each weekend one or more teams host a conversational paced ride (~18 mph on the flats) around the south end of Lake Washington. The rides start and finish at Pert’s Deli in Leschi.
A typical meet the team ride route looks about like this, starting in a counter-clockwise direction around Lake Washington followed by a clockwise spin around the south end of Mercer Island:
The section around Mercer Island is usually ridden as a “hot lap” which gives newcomers a chance to test themselves against faster and more experienced riders.
Meet the team rides last about 2.5 hours with brief stops along the way. These introductory rides happen regardless of the weather. Bring a road bike that is in good repair (full fenders with buddy flaps on damp days), helmet, water, some food, weather-appropriate clothing, a little money, and basic repair supplies like a spare tube.
