Introduction

When I moved to Seattle from the east coast about 25 years ago, I started to explore the city and the surrounding area by bike; first, commuting to work and then adding fitness rides to my commuting trips. What I found were challenging routes that gave me a great workout but also some beautiful scenery, great parks, spectacular views plus interesting restaurants, cafes, bistros and bakeries along the way to stop for a snack or a cold drink. I think that by traveling by bike, at my own pace on quite streets and trails, through neighborhoods and parks, I have seen the Seattle area in a way I would not have experienced otherwise. I want to share with you the rides that have given me such a unique insight into our city and surrounding area. Whether you are new to town or a native, I hope you’ll find something to enjoy in these rides that have become my favorites.

This blog describes several loop bicycle rides in and around the Seattle metropolitan area with rides for every level of cyclist. Many of the loop rides can be combined or can be done as a shorter “out and back ride”. Each loop described on this blog includes a convenient start/end point that offers ample parking for those transporting their bicycle. Any loop can be done in either direction.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Lake Washington Loop - South

23 Mile Loop Bike Ride around south end of Lake Washington

This ride makes a clockwise loop around Lake Washington starting at Seward Park and heads north on Lake Washington Blvd ascending a small hill up to the I90 East Portal Viewpoint. Cross the I-90 Bridge to Lid Park on Mercer Island, stay on the I90 Trail crossing the East Channel Bridge from Mercer Island to Bellevue Island then over the Mercer Slough over a small foot bridge, turning south on 118th Ave/Lake Washington Blvd SE toward Renton with nice views of the lake along the way as you stay parallel to I-405. After passing Gene Coulon Park (a great rest stop for lunch and/or the rest rooms) and the Boeing, Renton plant, the ride turns north through the Renton Municipal Airport and then onto Rainier Ave S, offering views of Mercer Island and the lake. This ride may be combined with Lake Washington Loop - North to circumnavigate the entire lake in one ride of approximately 55 miles.


For more details on this ride visit RIDEWithGPS for a map, ride stats, full directions and elevation profile:
Lake Washington Loop - South Ride Information

East Portal Viewpoint

Friday, March 9, 2012

Explore Queen Anne Neighborhood

10 Mile Loop Ride through Seattle's Queen Anne Neighborhood located northwest of downtown

This ride starts at Gas Works Park and heads west over the Fremont Bridge then Dexter Ave to get to the Queen Anne neighborhood. The route then climbs and loops CCW though Queen Anne to access views of Puget Sound, Mt Rainier and Lake Washington. The commercial center on Queen Anne Ave N can also be visited as the route crosses this road.

For more details on this ride visit RIDEWithGPS for a map, ride stats, full directions and elevation profile:

View of downtown Seattle from Kerry Park