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Introduction to singletrack riding for bikepackers - Tolt Pipeline

Clinic

Introduction to singletrack riding for bikepackers - Tolt Pipeline

Introduction to Gravel riding 3 hours of riding on a wide gravel road and welcoming flowy single track to help you refine the basic bike handling skills required to join in our Mountaineers outings with more confidence.

Contacts

Dominique Blachon
Dominique Blachon
Primary Leader
  • Bikepacking Gravel II, Bikepacking MTB I
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 12.0 mi
  • Elevation Gain: 900 ft
  • Pace: 7mph
  • 3 (4 capacity)
  • 1 (2 capacity)
  • Sat, May 2, 2026 at 5:35 PM
  • Sat, May 9, 2026 at 12:00 PM
  • Cancellation & Refund Policy
  • iCal Google

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Introduction to Gravel riding. We'll ride on a short version of the very popular Thrilla loop in Woodinville. After a few miles on the wide Tolt Pipeline road, we'll explore some of the easy, scenic and flowy "singletrack" through the Redmond Watershed.

Students from this year's course are welcome.

This is a 101-level introduction to the very basic bike handling skills required to ride a bike more safely and comfortably away from paved roads. We'll make regular stops to go over a specific skill, then practice it.

We'll discuss and practice: 

  • the basic principle of riding off-road,
  • starting (powerfully) and stopping (elegantly) even on steep and loose inclines,
  • handling steepish (up to 12%) climbs and descents
  • slowing down in control of your bike, 
  • going around corners, 
  • bumpidittybumping over rough terrain and obstacles.
Bring your gravel bike so you can practice these skills on the actual bike you'll be riding on future outings with the Mountaineers. Do not load it with luggage, besides toolkit & spares, and snacks/water. (Note: remember to not only bring your helmet, but also gloves and eye protection.)
Location: 15001 Avondale Rd NE, at the intersection of Tolt Pipeline Trail and Avondale Rd NE in Redmond.
Trailtalk at 10:00AM. We should be back at around 1PM. Remember to build in a bit of buffer time to account for unloading and prepping your bike, and getting garbed up for the ride.
No parking permit required.
No restroom at the trailhead. There is a full restroom at the Redmond Watershed parking lot at around mile 6.5, maybe an hour or so into the ride. If you're coming from the south, there's a gas station on the right side and a Starbucks on the left side of Avondale Rd at the intersection with NE 116th, if you don't want to head into the bushes before the start of the ride. If coming from the north, there's a Safeway at the corner with Woodinville-Duvall Rd and a library a bit further up the road.
Roster
Route/Place

Tolt Pipeline

Required Equipment

Required Equipment

  • Gravel bike in good working order. Check tire pressure, shifting, and braking before attending the clinic. (We'll discuss tire pressure during the clinic.)
  • Helmet, gloves and eye protection
  • Repair kit including: tire pump, patch kit, tire levers, spare tube or bacon strips (if riding tubeless tires), and multi too
  • Proper clothing for the conditions including additional layers and rain jacket
  • Water, snacks
Trip Reports