Pacific Northwest - Best Flat Course (Seattle Area)

So, to go along with the Seattle area hills thread, what about a flattish course for high-speed intervals and such? I’ve been looking for the perfect 5-mile level stretch, with good pavement and a minimum of lights, turning traffic and other distractions. West of the lake would be a bonus (but I’m not holding my breath).

About the best I’ve found is Harbor way – Alki beach, starting where you leave the bike trail under the freeway bridge. Pancake flat, decent shoulder, only a few driveways coming in from the right and a great view, but only 3 miles.

Mercer Island - perfect. Rollers add variety. Classic time trial stretch - measure from crosswalk by JCC on eastside to stop sign on west side.
Lake Washington Blvd from Leschi to Seward Park and back. Flat as a pancake.

I don't know if you want to consider Snohomish as part of Seattle, but Centennial Trail is pretty good trail. It has minimal distraction like traffic because you only have to deal with other cyclist, occasional runner and dog walker.

Not west of "THE" lake, but West Lake Sammamish isn't bad. Not as flat as a pancake, but not hilly by any means.

Seconding merlinman's advice, Lake Washington Boulevard is probably the best in-city flat stretch for cranking it out.

I don't know if you want to consider Snohomish as part of Seattle, but Centennial Trail is pretty good trail. It has minimal distraction like traffic because you only have to deal with other cyclist, occasional runner and dog walker.

+1 on the CT - there are the occasional taffic gates to slow you down.

As long as we're north, try out my favorite - River Road from Everett to Snohomish. 6 flat miles in the Snohomish Valley, no lights, minimal traffic, wide shoulder.

The Interurban trail from Tukwilla all the way through Auburn is not only pretty flat, but almost straight as an arrow. You have to cross city streets at some points, but there are long stretches that are trail only. It's also fairly lightly used, in my experience.

It has a "speed limit" of 15 MPH, but I've been riding that speed (a comfortable speed for me) and been passed plenty of times. I've never seen a cop with a radar gun along the trail :)

Aside: In early September I did a century that took me down the Auburn-Black Diamond Highway. They had one of those trailers set up that told you your speed. Approaching it, I was passed by cars going 35 and 40 MPH. There was a clear section where I guess I was the only thing it could see. It read 13 :).

As long as we're north, try out my favorite - River Road from Everett to Snohomish. 6 flat miles in the Snohomish Valley, no lights, minimal traffic, wide shoulder.

+1

The Centenial would be great if it weren't for those pesky traffic gates.

The Green River Trail is far from straight but it is flat and no stops.

The Green River Trail is far from straight but it is flat and no stops.

Except for that one nasty section where they've been doing "construction" for years. Or, at least they were the last time I went through there a couple of months ago. Have they finished now?

Except for that one nasty section where they've been doing "construction" for years. Or, at least they were the last time I went through there a couple of months ago. Have they finished now?

No....but I sure hope they finish the levee work before it rains too much and floods the Kent Valley because the levee breaks before it gets 'stabilised' :rolleyes: .

East Hill

Try going to Leschi and heading South along Lake Washington. Heading out from the Leschi Starbucks, it's a long flat stretch with no lights and cyclists outnumber cars on most days and I've had no problems with drivers on that stretch of road.

On early Saturdays, several Seattle area racing teams leave from the Leschi Starbucks/Pert's Deli area and do a group ride. I bet they wouldn't say no if you asked to join them:) And after your ride you can relax and have a coffee before heading back home.

The Cedar River Trail from 405 to the Highway 18 overpass is pretty straight and only slightly uphill - you're following the river, after all. There are a few stoplights, but not many.

If you have the time and want a short road trip, the Foothills Trail from Sumner to South Prarie is pretty flat and mostly straight. There are minimal road crossings riding out of Orting each way and it's a quiet, rural setting.