SClaraPokeman

Hello,

I'm moving next month from Santa Clara to Mercer Island (my home will be on W. Mercer about half way down the island). I'm interested in riding from my home to climb Cougar Mtn. ("Zoo climb") and I'd appreciate any advice on a good loop for this--best way to get to the Zoo, do most riders head straight back down the climb or are there good alternatives for creating a loop ride Thank you.

cwar

You are going to have excellent riding right out your back door. As you probably know, the Mercer Loop is one of the most popular rides in the area.

Couger Mountain (often referred to as zoo hill) is an excellent climb. You can definitely make a loop out of it. In my opinion, it's not such a great descent.

Here are a few of my rides where I have incorporated Couger (Zoo). There is another climb (Squak Mtn.) to the east that is also great and it's actually a fun decent.

Bike Ride Profile | May Valley + Tiger + Squak + Zoo Hill near Seattle | Times and Records | Strava
Bike Ride Profile | Home - Work (Squak + Zoo) near Seattle | Times and Records | Strava
Bike Ride Profile | Home - Work (Squak + Zoo) near Seattle | Times and Records | Strava

I'm not sure if you are familiar with Strava Heatmaps, but it's a great way to find the popular routes.

https://labs.strava.com/heatmap/#10/-...2651/blue/bike

SClaraPokeman

I've been doing the Zoo Climb with regularity now and make it a loop via Village Parkway which I think is probably safer than descending Lakemont (or simply going back down the Zoo Climb which doesn't look like much fun). I notice that there is a flashing speed warning on Village Parkway of 25 mph and parts of it yesterday I was hitting low 40s. I recently received a BS photo enforcement driving infraction in Issaquah for going 29 by the HS (in the middle of the day), so I'm a little bit paranoid right now. Unless I become much better known that I am currently, I'm not worried about a photo ticket on my bike, but I was wondering if Issaquah (or any other local area really) is known for live police citing bicyclists for speed. With the steepness of the climbs and descents I could see how it could happen. (FWIW I'm a pretty conservative rider (and driver) and I don't run stop signs and obey traffic lights.)

Wildwood 

The west and south side of Cougar Mt have some OK rides = Lakemont to Coal Creek Pky to May Valley Rd to Issaquah Hobart Rd, north to Issaquah, etc.. Definitely recommend staying off highway 900. For the mt goat in you, there are several neighborhoods up the mountain with lesser/no traffic. Newcastle has some climbs for warm-up; but further along off May Valley Rd some side excursions will afford up to 800' vertical in less than a couple of miles. One road is gravel in parts. On days when spinning miles needs a change, exploring is kinda fun. Only caution = May Valley Rd is not a place to compete with cars during any busy hours (twists and turns and no shoulder and some guardrails to 'box you in'), best on weekend mornings when the speedlimit of 30 - 35 is more likely to be observed by non-commuters.

You do have it pretty nice if you settled in Mercer Island. Good rides, if not epic, out the front door.

Welcome to the PNW. I came from Santa Cruz a good many years back.

And regards the policing of cyclists, I have only seen police (bicycle patrol) stopping cyclists in Renton on the Cedar River Trail. I am told that East Lake Samammish Road and Marymoor Park have been locations for helmet enforcement. I don't know how often.

allan6344

Mercer Island has been known for strict policing of bicycles at stop signs.

jazzyrider

Hmm, thats the first I've heard Issaquah issuing tickets to cyclists. And I've lived here the past few years. Definitely Mercer Island has cited tickets to cyclists on the the north end for not stopping, i.e., not unclipping AND putting a foot down. The known intersection is before the I-90 bridge, W Mercer Way and SE 24th st.

Wildwood 

If the question was re my comment - About a year ago a friend told me that he and another cyclist were pulled over on E Lk Sam Rd and warned about the helmet law. He just said 'the cops'. Not sure if Issaquah police, Redmond police, Sammamish police, County Sheriff, or ... No ticket was issued. I live near Issaquah, cycle there regularly without a helmet (including E Lk Sam) and have never spoken to a police person. In Renton, I have observed bicycle mounted police on the Cedar River trail a few times enforcing the helmet law.