Places to ride?

One of my favorite rides is around Mercer Island. It is a great route to work on hills. It is around 15 miles.

Once you cross over the lake on that I-90 bridge, all sorts of things (from easy to VERY difficult) open up. Newport Way into Issaquah, going up Cougar Mountain, Tiger Mountain, Hobart Issaquah Road, north into Redmond... The possibilities are endless.

Here's a link to the King County Bike Map. It has information on roads and trails. A great feature of this map is that it gives information on traffic flow. I have made up many many great rides with the help of this map.

Here's the link.
http://www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/roads/bike/map.cfm

Another source is Cascade Bicycle Club: www.cascade.org . They have free oraganized rides just about everyday for every level of rider.

Or...if you really feel like a challenge...you could go down to the Starbuck's at Leschi on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Many of the the local teams meet there for rides. They may let you jump on with them. It helps if you are comfortable in a paceline. These rides are usually "no wait" rides... which means that if you fall behind, they don't wait. They don't wait for teamates either. Trust me, these rides will make you fast.

Lot's of other people meet at Leschi too. Including the people I ride with. I usually find fellow cyclists to be friendly and willing to ride with new friends. So just start talking to other riders and you will always have a good ride.


Nick

Thanks for all the replies! I do have a bike map! I had lost it however so I thought I'd ask here. I really like the sound of Mercer Island!!!

The last time I was around Leschi two guys made fun of my bike. Now I know I shouldn't let it bother me but it did. They were really not nice about it. If they were in the rides you do I probably would feel too bad to tag along. Sad really, I know.

I just joined the Seattle Bicycle club, just to try it. So we'll see how it goes from there.

I'm off to Ocean shores this weekend and I'll be taking my bike! Woop.

Some cyclists are jerks...but they are few and far between. Don't let the comments of a few knuckleheads ruin your day. Cyclists with bad attitudes don't last long in our group. My friends and I do not tolerate elitist behavior. Cycling is for everyone.

Besides, it's not the bike...it's the engine that drives it. I pass people on better bikes than mine all the time.

If you ever see riders in white and blue Assaggio jerseys, say hello. I ride a white road bike. I promise I am nice.

Nick

I totally agree. They were just so prrth about it, if you know what I mean. I was gobsmacked when I heard them. They didn't actually know it was my bike as I was sitting sipping on a coffee and it was chained nearby. Pants to them I say! My road bike is also blue and white but my jersey is red and black. Oh what a match.

Edited by ScotinSeattle 2007-05-03 11:27 AM