girls weekend destination

[blueskies]

I've got a big birthday coming up & I'd like to include a weekend away with my girlfriends as part of the celebration. We all like to ride, but have quite a range in fitness/endurance/ability. We live in the Portland area & I thought it could be fun to head up to Seattle for a weekend that included a ride & some city fun, as well. Or maybe a stay on one of the charming islands that I imagine abound up there...

I'm looking for some ride ideas. The ideal ride would be flat, scenic & possible to do in a variety of distances (maybe from 15-40 miles?). It would be even more fabulous of we could find a rental house that was in a spot that we could ride from. I want to aim this more to the lower end of the riding strength range, so that everyone feels good & has fun. Definitely aiming for a social/pleasurable outing more then an athletic experience.

I read about the Burke-Gilman trail & looked at the map from the Seattle Dept of Transportation. That looks like a possibility. Any recommendations about sections of that that are particularly appealing would be nice.

Thanks for any suggestions!

[Grog]

Can't really help with your question, but there is a book called "Puged Sound Rides" or something, which could help maybe!

[salsabike]

Blueskies, the Burke Gilman Trail becomes the Sammamish River Trail at the north end of Seattle, and it's a lovely flat ride along the river. If you started at Logboom Park and went to Marymoor Park and back, all on this trail, it's about a 26 mile easy round trip. Right in the middle of this trip is a VERY nice inn/spa: http://www.willowslodge.com/index.php

I am sure it isn't cheap. It is very nice indeed and is right off the trail. There's a good restaurant on site, and a fun and less expensive one next door at the Red Hook Brewery, a place where we've done some mid-TE-ride lunches.

And here's a B&B listings link:

http://www.lodginginseattle.com/

You could get to the Burke Gilman Trail with relative ease from this U-District B&B--

http://www.lodginginseattle.com/bed-breakfast-chambered-nautilus.htm

[blueskies]

Thanks, Salsa. The Sammammish River Trail looks like it could fit the bill. It's really helpful to have a place to start!