Pacific Northwest - Coming to Seattle for work & looking for a good ride

I'm going to be in Seattle next week and into the following one for work. I have ridden some there, but only really know the route from downtown up to the BG trail coming from the waterfront, and up the west side of Lake Washington. I'd like to get in a couple of good rides, maybe this coming Weds or the following Mon or Tues. I'd probably be looking to ride in the late afternoon unless my bizarre work sched has me off during the mid day. Anyhow, I am looking to find a couple of Seattle classic rides from my hotel in downtown near city center. I'd like to do some climbing if I can get it in, and see something new. If anyone has route advice, a good website for Seattle ride maps, or wants to show me some routes in person I'd really appreciate it. I'm looking at 30-70 mile courses with anywhere from several 100 to several 1000 ft of elev gain and some iconic Seattle scenery. If someone's willing to ride with I avg 17-20 typically. Oh, and if there's a "must do" ride somewhere like Issaquah I can drive there with the bike to ride also. I was wondering about that Cougar Mtn route....

Thanks in advance for the help.

I'll post some others later, but you could always:

a. Do the whole lap around Lake Washington (50 miles); one big climb, some smaller hills.
b. Take the ferry over to Bainbridge Island and do the Chilly Hilly Route (you can find the Chilly Hilly map a number of places, including the Cascade Bicycle Club website). The C.Hilly route is about 33 miles, but there are a couple of obvious ways to make it a bit longer.

There's the Chilly Hilly route (http://www.cascade.org/EandR/chilly/CH_details.cfm)around Bainbridge Island (you take the ferry from Yesler Way); ~2675 elevation gain. On the eastside, there's the 7 Hills of Kirkland (http://www.7hillskirkland.com/details/details.htm)(happening Monday, 5/26): 40 miles, 3000 ft. Or the various Flying Wheels (http://www.cascade.org/EandR/flying/index.cfm)routes.

Here's a great link: http://www.seattlebiketours.org/members/library.html

Send me a PM if you want company

Here's a great link: http://www.seattlebiketours.org/members/library.html



+1

If you're staying downtown, you'll be close to the rides that start at Gasworks park and not too far from all the rides that start on Mercer island.

Thanks for the responses so far, this really helps. I'll be checking here again on Monday and seeing which ones to plan for.