Pacific Northwest - Ballard/Fremont people

I live in Ballard and am looking for alternatives to the Burke Gilman ride. I like to be able to just ride out of my garage and get into it, versus driving somewhere to ride. So, what routes do you all ride around here?

Thanks!

Have you explored Burke-Gilman in both directions? I never seem to tire of the ride around the lake.
I really don't like to haul my bike somewhere for a ride, either. I live 2 blocks from Gasworks, so that's my "just get out and go" route.

Go to www.bikesmartseattle.org (http://www.bikesmartseattle.org) and sign up for a free information packet with maps and routes.

Also check out Cascade Bicycle club free daily rides calendar (http://www.cascade.org/EandR/Daily_Rides.cfm), several of the rides start out close to Fremont, Gasworks and vicintity.

Seattle Bicycling Guide maps (http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/bikemaps.htm) has nice maps in PDF format.

I like the "Greenmont" loop for a short ride. Up 24th, east on 75th to Greenwood, south on Greenwood, remain on it as it turns into Phinney, then you can either take Fremont, Stone, or Wallingford down to the Burke. From there you can take the Burke back, or head into downtown and ride back up along the Merytle Edwards (which can be just as crowded). Reverse that if you're starting in Fremont.

You can ride out to Golden Gardens.

You can ride up to Carkeek.

You can take the Burke over to the U District then take Lake Washington Blvd to Seward.

You can ride into downtown and take a ferry somewhere.

The best way to ride the Lake Washington loop, if you don't like the Burke, is to get the Burke portion out of the way first. Head out early and ride the loop clockwise.

Just riding into downtown is fun. I like to do it for the crumpets.

Really there's no excuse for driving somewhere just to go for a ride in Seattle, ever. Find an excuse to ride somewhere you've not ridden before and go there.

The best way of discovering what kinds of urban routes you like is to find a club/group/whatever you like and start going for rides with them. Cascade is the big one, I rather like Point83.

mmm, THE crumpet shop. a great ride, their whole wheat toast and scones are delish too!

i've lived all over the city. from Ballard, the Edmonds express ride is nice. potential to hit 50mph in the city limits.

and crossing the ballard locks to downtown, west seattle and back. stop at the sculpture garden, get a sno cone from the Happy Hooker if she's open ;) for business.

This makes me want to go back just to ride around town, hills be damned. I lived in Seattle back in the 80s but have only been back 2 times since. I did all of the above rides during my 8 years there. Now I live in Brooklyn, have teenage kids, a wife and a house. It seemed like I lived in Seattle for such a long time, but 8 years flies by when you have kids.

Do a North end loop. Head to Golden Gardens up to 85th L on 15th to Holman to N105th L on Freemont jump on the Interupban at 110th take it to 205th r to Ballinger stay on Ballinget to Burke Gilman back to Ballard. I think it is like 35 miles.

This makes me want to go back just to ride around town, hills be damned.

It's really the only way to ride Seattle. Get a bike with a granny gear and have fun.