Pacific Northwest - Touring Seattle on bike

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Bornagainbiker
07-09-09, 01:08 PM
Can anyone suggest a bike-friendly route on which to reach and tour the Fremont and Ballard neighborhoods of Seattle? I'll be starting out in South Lake Union/Downtown (or the closest place to there that a can find a bike rental).
Thanks.

unixpro
07-09-09, 01:17 PM
If you're starting at the bottom of Lake Union, I'd just go up Westlake, over the Freemont Bridge, and into the area. As far as touring the areas themselves, I don't really have any suggestions except to mention that the B-G Trail runs from Ballard down through Freemont along the water. It's a nice ride.
SeattleShaun
07-09-09, 11:53 PM
You can find a Seatle Bike Map here: http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/transportation/docs/bikemapnorth6-25-09.pdf

The best way to get from downtown to Ballard really depends on where you are starting from. Westlake has already been mentioned - that's a reasonable route for cyclists that don't mind traffic. Dexter heading North out of dontown has a door zone (not good) bikelane, but at least drivers are used to seeing lots of bikers.

If you'd prefer more of a trail ride, head west from downtown until you hit the water (almost) and then head north along the Myrtle Edwards trail. to get to Ballard, you have two options:

Option 1: Ride over the ballard bridge (lot's o' traffic and a very narrow sidewalk crossing over the bridge) - at the end of the trail, ride up along the industrial street next to the railroad track (don't know the name) and bear right onto 20th Ave W. Take the next right at Dravus. Take a left at 15th. Follow 15th to the Ballard Bridge. At the bottom of the bridge, you will be in Ballard.

Option 2: Walk across the Hiram Chittenden Locks (tourist attraction) - at the end of the trail, ride up along the industrial street next to therailroad track (don't know the name) and bear right onto 20th Ave NW. Take a right on W Emerson Pl and then a left onto 21st Ave W. Bear left as it becomes W Commodore Way. Follow signs tothe locks. Note, you must walk your bike in the park and across the locks or you WILL be fined. At the other side of the locks, you will in Ballard at the Burke Gillman Trail.

Either way, the map will give you options for riding around Ballard. It' worth heading West over to Golden Gardens Park. Heading East along the BGT will lead you over to Fremont.