Riding Classes/Clinics

Cascade offers a variety of classroom and on-bike road riding sessions taught by instructors certified by the League of American Bicyclists and based on their Traffic Skills 101 class:

To register, choose your class from our calendar, and click the link to our class registration page.

Riding with Confidence

Are you new to cycling? Just getting back on your bike after years away? Confounded by the gears? Not sure where on the road to ride? Let us help you gain the skills to ride safely and confidently.

In this class you will learn:

  • basic bike handling skills and maneuvers
  • how to shift and brake smoothly and effectively
  • how to share the road with other users.

Three sessions include classroom information on laws and safety as well as on-bike handling skills and drills. We will apply our new found skills with a group-riding experience on neighborhood streets and the Burke Gilman Trail.

Bring a bike in working order and a helmet. Course is designed for those who already know how to ride a bike.

Class meets for two two-hour weeknight sessions and one three-hour weekend session.

Cost: $75 for non-members and $70 for members. Additional $5 late fee applies if registering within 10 days of class.

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Urban Cycling Techniques (4 hours classroom and 4 hours on-bike; optional 1.5 extra hours)

Learn to interact positively and safely with urban traffic and get tips for riding through intersections and negotiating with cars. Designed to give cyclists the knowledge they need to make informed decisions while riding in traffic and the confidence they need to balance caution and assertiveness while cycling. This class is intended for recreational cyclists or commuters. Students will:

  • learn and apply traffic laws as they relate to bicycles
  • practice how to properly fit a bicycle helmet
  • learn basic maintenance safety check and review fixing a flat
  • learn basic riding skills - starting/stopping, scanning, rock dodge, signaling
  • practice crash avoidance techniques and emergency drills
  • learn on-road skills such as lane positioning, communication with drivers, left turn techniques, etc.
  • discuss general bike fit and nutrition as time allows

Bring working bike and helmet to both sessions. Includes handouts. Optional extra hour after first class to learn how to fix a flat; optional half hour after second session to take the League of American Bicyclists' exam. Helmets available for sale for $10 at class.

Cost: For two 4-hour classes, is $85 for non-members and $80 for members. Additional $5 late fee applies if registering within 10 days of class.

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Back to Basics of Bicycling (for Seniors) (6 2-hour sessions)

Re-acquaint yourself with your bicycle, or practice your riding skills. Learn today's rules of the road and basic bike maintenance. Each week includes a lesson and a ride. Let us know if you have your own bike to bring. Helmets available first day of class for $10. Currently offered through Magnuson Park Community Center Lifelong Recreation Program.

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Urban Riders (for Teens ages 11-17)

Learn skills and techniques to ride your bike more safely. Modeled on our Urban Cycling Techniques classes. Teens will learn the rules of the road, how to ride as traffic, practice bike handling skills and learn maneuvers on how to avoid crashes. Bring your bike and helmet.

Registration fee is $50 for both sessions. A $5 late fee will be charged for any registrations sent in within ten days of class. Cascade Members get a $5 discount. See our youth classes and camps for more information.

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Intro to Bike Commuting

Want to know more about what it takes to commute by bicycle? Feel like you’re ready to try it, but need a few pointers? This two-hour course provides an overview of how to equip your bike as well as outfit yourself in order to carry your gear and be visible. Included topics are:

  • safe bicycle operations in traffic (traffic laws, lane positioning)
  • strategies for carrying items (work clothes/work items)
  • riding at night and in foul weather
  • using bike racks on buses
  • minor bicycle repairs
  • route choice

This course offers more commuter-specific topics than Urban Cycling Techniques, so if you’re already a commuter or want to start bike commuting, this is the one for you. Bring bike and helmet if you wish to take part in the optional ride following the class. Cost: $35 for non-members, $30 for members. $5 late fee if registering within 10 days of class.

Check out our free classes for description of one-hour Commuter Seminars.

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Paceline and Group Riding Clinic (2 hours)

Ride faster, save energy, and be safer! Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation and Cycle U team up to offer special paceline clinics: Clinics cover: group riding techniques, paceline riding, cornering, communication skills for group riding, bike position, safety, and other techniques for getting the most out of your riding. Great preparation for STP and other cycling events. See class calendar in Jan. or later for more details and registration information. Cost: $40. Get a $5 member discount. $5 late fee applies if registering within 10 days of class.

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GeaRS (Group Riding Skills)

Are you new to riding on Cascade's big events? Would you like to learn how to ride safely and effectively in a group situation? Join us for a new class on Group Riding. Class covers basics such as lane positioning, scanning to the rear, and communication.

This Safety Skills Clinic is designed to help event riders improve their safety and enjoyment in group events and rides. Bring bike and helmet for some practice.

Cost: $35. $5 Member discount. Additional $5 late fee applies if registering within 10 days of class.

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Clinics for Cascade Training Series

Each year we offer $5 maintenance and Group Riding Skills classes at the beginning of the season for CTS participants. See Cascade Training Series for details.

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Adult Beginners Learn-2-Ride (1 session, 2 hours; optional consultation meeting with instructor at an earlier date)

This free class is intended for adults who have never ridden a bike and wish to learn. Brand new bicyclists will work one-on-one in a low-stress environment with an instructor. The class employs a safe, easy, effective method to learn to ride a bicycle. Participants will learn the skills of balancing, steering, starting and stopping, as well as helmet fit and adjustment.

Participants can bring a bike of their own in working order, or they may borrow a loaner bike from Cascade for the duration of the lesson.

Cost: By donation

Contact: Robin Randels, robin.randels@cascadebicycleclub.org

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**DISCOUNTS: $5 member discount. See separate descriptions above for details.

**REGISTRATION and LATE FEES: Please note that there is a service fee charged at the time of registration when using the online registration. The service fee is non-refundable, unless the Cascade Bicycle Club cancels the class/program.

There is a $5 service fee charged when using paper registration.

Please note registration deadlines posted on individual class listings. (An additional $5 fee applies to registrations made within 7 days of class date).

CLASS SIZE: most classes minimum 5, max 10; Paceline classes max 20.

CLASS REQUIREMENTS: You must provide a multi-speed bike in good working order for riding classes, and wear a CPSC-approved helmet (or ANSI/SNELL/ASTM). See each class listing for specifics.

REFUND POLICY: No refunds unless class is cancelled due to lack of enrollment. Registration may be transferred to someone else or to another date if arrangements are made within the calendar year.

To register, click on the class calendar and follow link to our registration pages. Contact the Classes Coordinator, with questions.

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