7 Hills of Kirkland...check!

At the Kirkland Waterfront

The City of Kirkland hosts an official ride every Memorial Day which features some of the most challenging hills in its surrounding communities.  Dubbed the 7 Hills of Kirkland, the route snakes from the city's downtown through Juanita, Bothell, Woodinville, Redmond and Bellevue.  Every year hundreds of cyclists ride through the route unofficially just to challenge themselves.

Enter Team Mang.  Once again trying to build on their previous accomplishments as part of their training, the team decided to do the basic 36 miles 7HOK route but instead of starting from Kirkland, they started from Renton Stadium, adding another 25 miles and a few more bonus hills to the route.  They also picked up a couple of riders along the way.

Team Mang checklist: 7 Hills of Kirkland - check!

The "Peterson hill" is a bonus warm up hill near Newport hills that Team Mang adds to their rides for warm up - to wake up their legs 4 miles from their starting point.  That climb was quickly followed by a sprint to the Kirkland waterfront where the official ride actually begins on Memorial Day.  Hill number 1 wasn't too difficult even though it was technically a Cat 5. It climbs from the Kirkland waterfront up to the top of that town. The second hill was not as steep but was still challenging due to its length - climbing from downtown Juanita park on Juanita drive to Bothell.  The route then drops riders back down almost to water level so they can climb back up on the other side. This is hill number 3, which would turn out to be the most challenging hill, a full category above all the others - climbing back up from Holmes Point towards Juanita Drive near St. Edwards Park.  Some riders actually skipped the dip down and up to stay on Juanita Drive. Hill number 4, the climb to Bothell's highest point - Norway Hill - created some dessert for the team.  Jello legs, according to one of the riders.

There would be a few more ups and downs but the next official hill was on a major thoroughfare, NE 132nd. The climb begins under I-405 and is made even more challenging because you begin from a total stop (traffic light) and you have to contend with fast moving traffic and construction cones.  Hill number 6 comes after a long break, including a stop at Safeway and a fast downhill ride down to Woodinville.  This hill, which begins with a "wall" and a smiley face, would force some to stand due to its steepness in the beginning.

After Hill # 6, there's reason to rejoice!

After that, it was a sprint to Subway for lunch and a break just before the last hill in Redmond.  Having completed the 7 hills, the team still had to make it back to the Stadium.  A few fell victim to cramps, some pain here and there but overall, they completed the route with an average moving speed of 13 mph.  The ride is always complete, of course, with its share of joking, clowning around and just having fun with each other.  Temperatures never went above 65 degrees with a few sun breaks - perfect weather for climbing but brrr...cold on those downhill runs.

Patayan Hills in Team Mang's pocket

The Montreaux climb marker.

Montreaux is a neighborhood that sits atop a hill around 850 feet above sea level.  It's actually sitting on the slopes of Cougar mountain.  The climb up is a Category 2 climb (which is just one level away from the hardest rated climbs in the cycling world).  At the top of that hill, there are streets that take your climb up another 450 feet to Cougar Mountain Elementary School in Issaquah for total climb of 1280 feet (including the introductory Newport Way climb to around 400 feet and 200 foot drop).
On Saturday, May 18, Team Mangs and Alings decided to challenge themselves and take these roads after a decidedly swift loop around Mercer Island's rolling hills (counter clockwise).  It was indeed daunting and a few had no choice to but to use those other muscles on their legs...the ones used for walking. But most made it up to the top slowly but surely.  Even the tandems climbed successfully using whatever gears they had available (and they sometimes wished there were more).

The map (courtesy of Map My ride) shows the climb ratings and approximate distances.

To conclude the ride, the team made another climb up Penny Lane drive towards the Newcastle golf course where they were rewarded with stunning views of Lake Washington, Seattle and Mercer island from the southeast corner.  They even used the restroom at the club!

Team Mang celebrates at the top of the climb,

With another challenging ride in their pocket, Team Mang came home satisfied that they had put in their best and had fun doing it.  It may have taken a while due to the ultra slow speeds of some climbers, but 2,500 feet of climbing on a short 46 mile ride and an overall average speed of 12.5 mph (moving) for the whole ride is quite an accomplishment for weekend warriors bicycling for fun with friends.

Congratulations, Team Mang/Aling!

A Tour of Seattle to remember

Early risers get ready for a mini-tour around the city

Crossing I-90 at Issaquah where we were confronted
by the giant bullfrog on the trail

It was a bit chilly to start off but as soon as the Team got done with their first warm up hill in Kirkland, temperatures started feeling a bit more like spring - at least to the riders.  On Saturday, the 11th, even as a few Mangers rode for a cause at the Tour de Cure, the rest of Team Mang opted to do their own tour - dubbed the Tour of Seattle.  The ride consisted of a few hill climbs on the east side (Factoria, Newport Way, and back through West Lake Sammamish Parkway) to start off.  After a quick bathroom break at Timberlake Park on the shores of Lake Sammamish, the team proceeded to do the Mercer Loop in reverse, approaching from the east side towards I-90, Seattle and north towards the University of Washington.

It was almost the middle of the day and the team had already made good time.  They proceeded to do a quick climb up the Ravenna neighborhood (who knew there was a hill there?) towards the Greenlake district for a relaxing lunch beside the famed body of water.  Subway does hit the spot - and it tempted them to just stay there and relax after lunch.  But it was time to head home...

A quick ride down to the Fremont Bridge and a first time ride through the South Ship Canal trail landed them somewhere at Interbay (south of Ballard) where they proceeded to take the Elliot Bay Trail towards downtown.

The Seattle Waterfront

Nothing beats a few pictures at the waterfront - something which Team Mangs heartily enjoy.  Like giddy 12 year olds posing for a magazine, Team Mangs and the lone Team Aling took their time making digital memories "touring" the waterfront and enjoying the vibrant day life.

From downtown, it was just a quick ride back to Renton Stadium via the I-90 trail and Mt. Baker tunnel, Lake Washington Blvd and Rainer Ave.

Seattle is a beautiful city - Team Mang's day ride to explore just a fraction of it proves we're in the right place!

Phil's May Day Ride becomes a Phil-ipino Festival

Mount rainier was visible throughout most of the ride

It had to happen on the hottest and windiest day of the year so far. Team Mang, together with Team Trangko were the biggest group of riders at the annual Phil's Bike Shop May Day Classic last Sunday, cinco de Mayo.  The event is a local community ride that normally attracts traditionalists and passionate cyclists.  This year, both teams decided to ride it and Phil himself was in awe!

Team Mangers rode out together at a brisk pace but the orange train grew long during the first few hills of the first 20 miles.  Everyone did regroup in Sumner and rode together into Orting.  From there, it was a short uphill headwind ride towards South Prairie and higher into Wilkeson for the 36 mile mark. 

As with most Team Mang rides, there was no shortage of jokes, laughter, singing and the occasional "Attack!"...as if.  There was also the occasional slowdown just to literally stop and smell the roses; i.e. take pictures.  The team reached the halfway point around 11:15 and hung out for a while.

Hanging out with Phil at Wilkeson

What is it about headwinds?  Southbound towards Wilkeson, it was there beating us back and when we turned around to head back in the direction we came from, it was still there.  The ride from South Prairie through Orting, Puyallup, Sumner and back to Algona was challenging. Although the terrain was flat, headwinds pushed everyone back a few miles per hour on the speedometer.  This ride was also unique - hills, walls, headwinds, 83 plus degree heat and yes...there was even a walk through bushes and a dirt road.  That did give us the opportunity to take memorable pictures of Mount Rainier in the background.

Team Mang with Mount Rainier in the background...really

The final challenge of the day was only 5 miles from the finish - it was the .8 mile climb up from  West Valley Highway to Federal Way. Originally dubbed Phil's hill, locally known as "little Italy" for its switchbacks and hidden pitches, it was renamed Lance's hill - named in memory of the cyclist who was killed on the first day of Bike to Work month. Most everyone did make it up the challenging hill (a few walked).  It was one of those hills to remember...and to come back to in the future!

From there it was a brisk ride through the neighborhoods, the BPA Trail and back to Phil's in Federal Way.  The day concluded for most of us with an apple pie courtesy of Phil...but for some of us, it was all you can eat at Palace Barbecue.

Another official ride by Team Mang - always enjoyable, memorable and fun!

Team Mang scores another hit at Phil's Bike Shop May Day Classic!