The last scenic ride in my series of great Seattle rides for new bikers. This is actually 2 different rides, depending on how far you want to go. The main route that I do often is going to Fremont on the Westlake trail and then coming back on the ship canal trail and the waterfront. The route is about 15 miles. An alternative is to add another 10 miles and go see the Ballard Locks and the beach at Golden Gardens park. That is about 25 miles total. I started by riding from Beacon Hill, through Chinatown to the 2nd Avenue Bike Lanes. The lanes are the workhorse bike lanes of the city and usually very busy. There is a slight uphill through town until you reach 2nd Avenue summit at the Moore Theatre.
I turn right on Bell Street and ride down the hill towards Lake Union. It turns into 9th Avenue and then it turns into the Westlake Trail along the lake.
Fremont is a great destination. Lots of bars, restaurants, some good antique stores and stuff to do. The Sunday Market in Fremont is really popular. From here, I started my optional side trip along the Burke Gilman trail to Golden Gardens. The first stop is the Ballard Locks which is a great place to take out of town visitors. There are usually a lot of tourists around the park so you aren’t allowed to ride your bike. You can walk it across the locks and then ride up to Discovery park. On this day, I just walked to the locks and then came back to continue my ride West along the Burke.
You have eventually have to deal with the Ballard Missing Link to get to the locks. This is not a section for new riders so I recommend turning around unless you are a confident rider. You need to deal with construction, train tracks and no shoulders on Shilshole. Make sure you cross the tracks at an angle. The city wants to make a real cycle track here but it has been held up in the courts for many years because of NIMBY neighbors that don’t want to lose their parking and truck and train right of ways.
From here, the Burke Gilman trail continues until it finishes at Golden Gardens park. Great place for a snack and to turn around.
From here you ride back the way you came through Ballard and Fremont and cross back over the Fremont Bridge. Then head West of the Ship Canal trail. This is one of the most scenic trails in the whole city. Great place to watch the boat traffic from a hammock between some willow trees.
The trail then transforms into an industrial section. First the shipyards and then the rail yards. The trail cuts through the train tracks and includes a crazy single lane bridge which no longer goes over any train tracks. Not sure why it is still there…
After a mile of industrial stuff, you get back to some more pleasant scenery. The trail goes around the new Expedia headquarters and goes along Elliott bay. More great views and photo opportunities. Tugboats, cruise ships, Elliott Bay, grain ships, and then you get to the Seattle Sculpture park.
The next section is going to eventually be one of the best bike trails in the city. The new waterfront plans look awesome and I’m sure this is going to be a really popular cycle track. Unfortunately we need to deal with Alaskan way for another year or so. I think the best way is to just take the lane. Ride in the middle of the right lane and is the safest place to be.
At the end of the Waterfront, I cut through Pioneer Square and get back on the 2nd Avenue trail. I then ride through Chinatown and make my way back to Beacon Hill on 12th Avenue across the Jose Rizal bridge. 25 miles total but only 15 miles if you don’t try to take on Ballard and the missing link.