Cycling

Seattle boasts a significant community of cycling enthusiasts. For example about 8,000 riders take part every year in the 200+ mile ride from Seattle to Portland. In spite of the Seattle's infamous precipitation there is a large bike commuter population, supported by a large network of bike routes, trails, and bike lanes. Seattle also has a large bike messenger community. Indeed when UPS was started in Seattle in 1907 as the American Messenger Company, their vehicle of choice was the bike not the automobile.

There are many opportunities for bicycle racing in the Seattle area as well. One regular race event takes place every Thursday afternoon, when Seward Park hosts criterium circuit races around the upper loop. Race information can be found at Washington State Bicycle Association. There is also a significant cyclocross racing season in the fall, centered on the cyclocross trail in South Seatac Park.

Popular areas for road cycling in and around Seattle include:

• Lake Washington Loop, especially Lake Washington Blvd between Seward Park and Denny Blaine.
• Burke Gilman Trail, and connecting from there to the Sammamish River Trail to Woodinville and beyond.
• Mercer Island, especially as part of a South Lake Washington Loop via the I-90 trail.
• Bainbridge and Vashon Island loops.
• Chittenden Locks (Ballard), Magnolia and the Waterfront.
• Alki, West Seattle, Duwamish Trail
• The Snoqualmie Valley (site of the annual Flying Wheels century)
• Green River Valley and the Cedar River Trail.
• Interurban and Green River Trails (Tukwilla, Kent, etc.)

Popular areas for off-road cycling in and around Seattle include:

• The Tapeworm in Renton.
• Pilchuck Tree Farm in Arlington.
• Puget Power Trail, Redmond Watershed and the Tolt Pipeline Trail.

Regular bicycling events

• Every Thursday: .83 ride
• Every Thursday (except winter): Different Spokes Thursday Night Ride
• Last Friday of every month: Critical Mass
• Last Weekend in February: Chilly Hilly on Bainbridge Island (Cascade Bicycle Club)
• Second weekend in July: STP (Seattle to Portland Ride - Cascade Bicycle Club)
• Last Saturday in June: Flying Wheels Century (Cascade Bicycle Club)
• First Weekend in August: RSVP (Ride from Seattle to Vancouver and Party - Cascade Bicycle Club)

See also

Point83 - A group of Seattle bicycle riders

External links

• GhostCycle.org - Bike accident awareness in the Seattle area
• Dead Baby Bikes
• Seattle Bicycle Club
• Cascade Bicycle Club
• .83 home page
• Different Spokes Cycle Club