The way points of this bicycle route:
So begins a fun and scenic ride between two of Seattle's great parks.
Bicycle Quarterly Magazine HQ @ Vechio Cycles! Stop by and say 'hi' to the randonnerds.
Dismount and walk your bike through the grounds of the Hiram Chittenden Locks (AKA Ballard Locks).
Q: Why did the cyclist walk his bike across the Ballard Locks? A: To get to the other side!
Trudge up the hill to Commodore Way and enjoy the views of the Locks below.
Here starts what is probably the longest and hardest uphill on the whole ride (which isn't saying much).
Just when you thought you'd conquered that hill, there's more climbing!
The road levels off here as you enter the park. Enjoy it while you can, 'cos there's a bit more climbing up ahead...
I don't know if it's better to continue straight or turn left onto Kansas Ave. The map suggests either one will work. I turned left and started climbing toward South Bluff.
I didn't really know where I was going, so I just headed in the general direction of the bluffs.
Here we leave the pavement. It's a smooth dirt path. An opportunity to put my cyclocross bike to good use! If you want to say on pavement, there are options.
Spectacular views of Puget Sound shipping lanes, the Olympic range, etc.
I'm not really sure whether or not bicycles are allowed on this wide dirt path, but I rode it anyway. SPD forgive me if I have sinned.
Leaving the park through the South entrance.
Prepare yourself for a relaxed, extended downhill run on Magnolia Blvd. past some nice homes.
Nice scenery (e.g. sweeping views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier and Downtown Seattle) begins here. Watch out for Sunday drivers!
Here begins the 'hairiest' part of the ride: going on the Magnolia Bridge. There's a sidewalk you can ride on, or you can just stay on the road. I took the sidewalk 'cos the road looked narrow, but I then noticed there was really plenty of room to have safely ridden in the street. Fortunately car traffic was light.
Follow the Bike Route signs and go up the ramp to the overpass.
Ah, back on a bike path. More excellent scenery while gliding along the waterfront.
Welcome back to traffic. This is probably the heaviest traffic on the route; but it moves slowly and there seems to be plenty of room. You could take the bike/pedestrian path; but it's usually pretty crowded with peds.
Turn left here and head up Jackson Street toward the Asian district.
Back onto a dedicated bike path again!
Enter the west entrance of the I-90 bike tunnel.
Upon emerging from the tunnel, enjoy the eastward facing view.
Get into your aero tuck and watch for potholes while descending the twisty road through Coleman Park.
Welcome to Bikely, take a step by step tour of this path:
Press Start Tour - then use the navigation buttons below to move along the path.
Seward Park, Madrona, Arboretum, UW, Fremont, Ballard, Magnolia, DT Seattle Waterfront, Int'l District, Mt. Baker, Seward Park
Tagged with: Recreational, Training, Onroad, Smooth, Basic, Safe, Urban, Scenic
