Explore Whidbey Island from Clinton to Fort Casey

This 77 mile loop starts at the Mukilteo Lighthouse Park with a 20 minute ferry crossing to Clinton on Whidbey Island. Once off the ferry explore many of the back roads and corners on the east side of the island (including the towns of Langley, Freeland and Greenbank) to Fort Casey. Return via the island's west side (including South Whidbey State Park) to the Clinton ferry. There are many variations and short cuts to expand or limit the mileage so use this route as a general guideline.

For details on this route such as map, ride stats, full directions and elevation profile:visit RideWithGPS

Fort Casey Lighthouse

Explore the Flats of Seattle

OK - this 20 mile loop does have one hill up 8th Ave NW which is one of the easiest ways (avg grade is 2%) to access Green Lake from the Burke Gilman Trail (BGT). In any case, enjoy the relatively flat route from Golden Gardens Park through Ballard to Green Lake and on to Gas Works Park returning to Golden Gardens via the BGT and Ballard.

For details on this route such as map, ride stats, full directions and elevation profile:visit RideWithGPS

Seattle Skyline from Gas Works Park

Best Hills of Discovery Park & Magnolia

Fit this 8 mile loop into any workout for a challenging climbing segment through Discovery Park and the quite roads of Magnolia. Loop starts at Commodore Park on south side of Hiram Chittenden Locks and climbs up to the north parking lot and then descends to South Beach/Lighthouse for the climb back to the Discovery Park view point near the FAA radar site. Exit the park via the south exit to descend Perkins Lane for the climb up W Raye and another climb up to the Magnolia water tower.

For details on this route such as map, ride stats, full directions and elevation profile:visit RideWithGPS

South Beach Lighthouse

Mercer Island - May Valley - Issaquah

This 55 Mile loop starts at Seward Park and heads north over the I-90 Bridge to Mercer Island. At Lid Park take a right onto West Mercer Way for a counter clockwise ride through the rolling, rural terrain. This 10 mile stretch of Mercer Island has no stop signs or lights so is a great training segment. Cross over I-90 and over the East Channel bridge to 118th Ave SE in Bellevue. Merge on to the bike trail which parallels I-405.  Ascend Lake Washington Blvd over I-405 and descend back on Lk WA Blvd to NE 44th St / Lincoln Ave NE for the ascent to Coal Creek Pkwy and SE May Valley Road. Enjoy the horse farms and  rural scenery of May Valley before turning onto Issaquah-Hobart Rd toward Issaquah. Parallel I-90 on Newport Way through Factoria back to Mercer Island and Seward Park

Riding down May Valley Road

For details on this route such as map, ride stats, full directions and elevation profile:visit RideWithGPS

Snohomish - Granite Falls - Arlington

This 46 mile ride was sponsored by Cascade Bicycle Club starting at the Pilchuck trail head on the Centennial Trail just north of Snohomish. After a  3 mile warm up on the Centennial Trail the ride travels through the rural countryside to Jordan Bridge Park. After crossing this foot bridge over the south fork of the Stillaguamish River there is a short (0.4 mile) section that has a steep 9% average grade as it ascends to Burns Road before the descent into Arlington. After lunch in Arlington (try the Blue Bird Cafe at 308 N Olympic) return to Snohomish via the Centennial Trail.


For details on this route such as map, ride stats, full directions and elevation profile:visit RideWithGPS

Jordan Bridge

Magnolia - Discovery Park Loop

This 27 mile  ride starts at Gas Works Park and heads west on the Burke-Gilman Trail then over the Fremont Bridge. Continue west on Nickerson (or alternately on S Ship Canal Trail) to Fisherman's Terminal. Detour to Cafe Appassionato at 4001 21st Ave W for a quick snack or great cup of coffee. Pass Commodore Park then ascend 40th Ave to Discovery Park. Ride through the park to Magnolia Blvd with views of Puget Sound and Olympic Mts. Cut off Thorndyke onto Plymouth St to further explore Magnolia and its eastern ridge. The ride then takes you through the flats to Smith Cove Park and then onto Centennial, Myrtle Edwards and the Sculpture Parks along Elliott Bay. Stop at Uptown Espresso at Alaskan Way & Broad St at end of Elliott Bay Bike Trail for cookie and coffee. Return to Gas Works Park via Elliott Bay Bike Trail, S Ship Canal Trail, the Fremont Bridge and the Burke-Gilman Trail.

For details on this route such as map, ride stats, full directions and elevation profile:visit RideWithGPS

Downtown Seattle from Magnolia Park

Magnuson Park - West Seattle - Discovery Park

55 mile loop ride from Magnuson Park heading south to Lake Washington Blvd. Turn west through I90 Tunnel/Trail to Dearborn; skirt the International District on SODO trail to W Spokane St Bridge. Climb to High Point (35th Ave SW & SW Myrtle St is highest point in Seattle at 520 feet) via Avalon Way then onto Marine View Drive past Lincoln Park and onto the Beach Dr and the Alki Trail. Head back through the Seattle Waterfront on Alaskan Way. Take one more loop (adds 5-6 miles) through Discovery Park to Fisherman's Terminal and the S Ship Canal Trail/BGT or head directly back to Magnuson Park via Dravos/15th Ave/Nickerson/Fremont Bridge/BGT.

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

GO to Ride Details

View of downtown Seattle from High Point Neighborhood