EvergreenHealth 7 Hills of Kirkland Cycling to End Homelessness

This article is written by Rob Butcher in "Kirkland Views"

Every day is an uphill climb for someone struggling with homelessness. You can make a difference in our community by joining us in our annual EvergreenHealth 7 Hills of Kirkland Cycling to End Homelessness event on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2016. Thanks to your 2016 sponsors: Evergreen Health, Master Builders Association, Explore Kirkland Tourism Bureau, Kirkland Kiwanis, Clif Bar, Flat Stick Pub, and Merit Homes.

Rider registration is open at http://7hillskirkland.org/ 

Whether you choose the traditional 7 Hill Route (approximately 40 miles), the popular Metric Century Route, or the challenging Century Route, you’ll enjoy a classic route with challenging climbs and beautiful scenery. Travel at your own pace through urban, suburban, and rural roads, on a holiday when cyclists seem to outnumber vehicles.

 Start the morning on the Kirkland waterfront, follow a well-marked course to great food stops, challenging ascents, and wonderful descents. Climb Winery Hill and be rejuvenated by the applause of your own cheering section and the lovely strains of a bagpiper.

 The traditional 7 Hills course is approximately 40 miles long with about 3,000 feet of climbing. It loops around Kirkland, going over the following hills:

• Market • Juanita • Seminary • Norway • Kingsgate • Winery • Rose •

The Metric Century route extends eastward from the 7 Hills course. The Metric Century has 11 hills, with 4,600 feet of climbing. This route includes the following hills in addition to the standard 7 Hills:

• Education-outbound • Novelty • McWhirter • Education-return •

The full Century course continues eastward from the Metric route, through rural King County into the Snoqualmie valley and north into Snohomish County. The Century course has 14 hills, with about 7,000 feet of climbing. It has the following climbs in addition to the Metric climbs:

• Union • Stillwater • High Bridge • Maltby 

 Thanks to your 2016 sponsors: Evergreen Health, Master Builders Association, Explore Kirkland Tourism Bureau, Kirkland Kiwanis, Clif Bar, Flat Stick Pub, and Merit Homes