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Continue with the waiver and registration process.
Route Description
RUSA Route #2514 "Winter Solstice Populaire"
This is based on RUSA Permanent #1004 "Lake Washington - Lake Sammamish Loop" with the bottom part routed across Mercer Island and through Factoria (Factoria-Issaquah-Lake Forest Park-Seattle-Mercer Island-Factoria).
Tom Beck's 2023 Solstice Populaire Pre-Ride Notes
The route this year covers roads and trails you have probably ridden many times. It starts with a gentle climb of the hill from Factoria to Eastgate then traverses briefly through a neighborhood. Be very careful of traffic in Issaquah because the timing of our event coincides with holiday shoppers. Once you're on the East Lake Sammamish Trail (ELST), it's smooth sailing for a while. The recently completed section from Sammamish to Redmond is very nice. The park in Woodinville is a good place to stop to replenish water bottles and use the facilities. There were some recent landslides and some construction on BGT but it was all clear during the pre-ride. Road construction after Montlake Bridge makes navigation challenging. Pay careful attention to the cues. More road construction in Madison Park has resulted in a detour that may not be familiar so pay close attention to cues in this area. The rest of the route is routine but the loop around Mercer Island is always a joy, especially the switchbacks and gentle curves on the east side.
Parking
We are grateful for AAA's hospitality, allowing everyone to get ready in a warm, protected venue. Showers and lockers available. You're welcome to change before the ride and/or clean up and warm up after the ride. Limited parking (approximately 33 spaces) is available at the
AAA Washington Headquarters start location.
Additional parking is available at the Eastgate Park & Ride:
14200 SE 32nd St
Bellevue 98007
Start/Finish
AAA Washington - Headquarters
3605 132nd Ave SE
Bellevue, WA 98006
7:00 AM - Rider check-in begins
7:55 AM - Ride briefing
8:00 AM - Ride bikes
9:00 AM - Start control closes
Please contact the ride organizer if you will be arriving after 8:00 AM or if you are registered and choose to not start.
Complete route divided into smaller chunks (may be more compatible with some devices and software)
:
[PRELIMINARY]
Note:
Printed cuesheets will not be available at the start. You may choose to print your own. To print a cuesheet:
- Open the route link above.
- Click the More button.
- Click Print Cuesheet.
Registration
Registration opens Thursday, November 20 at 12:00 Midnight (Pacific Time).
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Advance registration is required. We cannot accommodate same-day registration.
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Registration includes signing a responsibility waiver using the same SmartWaiver system used for RUSA Permanents. YOU MUST SUBMIT A COMPLETED WAIVER IN ORDER TO START THE RIDE. No waiver, no ride, no exceptions.
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Current RUSA membership is required. Click here to create or renew your RUSA membership. Allow a few days in advance for RUSA verification. You'll need your final RUSA number (not a temporary number starting with T) to sign the waiver and register for the ride.
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Current SIR membership is required. Click here to create or renew your free SIR membership. Once you log into your SIR account the Sign Waiver button will be visible at the bottom of this page.
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Online registration is open until Thursday, December 18 at 12:00 Noon (Pacific Time).
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Ride fee must be paid online at the time of registration.
Registration has closed for this event. We cannot accommodate same-day registration at this time.
REGISTRATION LIMITED TO RIDERS WHO RECEIVE AN INVITATION TO REGISTER.
General Rules
All riders must:
- Have current memberships in RUSA and SIR.
- Read and sign a waiver (part of the online event registration) before beginning the ride.
- Comply with local traffic laws as well as RUSA's Rules for Riders.
- Have front and rear lights, a reflective vest or sash, and reflective ankle bands. See RUSA Article 10 for details. Be prepared to show these to the ride organizer at the start. Lights should be on during any low-light conditions (rain, fog, night, tunnels, etc).
- Contact the organizer ASAP if they cannot finish (DNF). The organizer's contact info may be found on the brevet control card.
- Turn in their signed brevet control card at the ride finish.
- Check-in with the organizer or a volunteer at the start, the finish, at any overnight controls.