FLAT routes in the Seattle area?

Before I decide to sell my road bike, can any of y'all recommend some flat rides - or maybe a few roller-coaster hills. My lungs stil haven't forgiven me for yesterday.
Chief Seattle Trail - walked up it, and wouldn't want to ride down it :eek:
Lake Washington up to Issaquah - location of yesterday's asthma attack. :(

I know about the Cedar River trail, and hopefully the Green River will have the monster sand bags removed. Aside from out-and-backs, where else can I ride?

I'm feeling pretty dejected right now. But would much rather ride outside than inside, especially before the weather changes.

You can take the Interurban trail all the way down to Auburn - If you know about the Green River, the Interurban is in basically the same spot. You take the Green River trail down to the Starfire Sports Complex (the soccer fields). That's where the sandbags start on the GR, but the Interurban is clear of obstructions. Follow the GR through the soccer fields - where you'd normally go right to stay on the GR, go left/straight towards the Family Fun Center - then you are on the Interurban. It is straight and pretty much flat from there to Auburn.

If you don't mind driving a bit to ride, the Sammamish River and Burke Gilman trails are flat.

Sorry to hear the lungs are not cooperating. Been there, it's not fun.

Don't forget the Centennial Trail outside of Snohomish -- that's the ride we did before you met up with us for the Mick Jagger fries ...

You might also enjoy the loop around Mercer Island. I usually park at Luther Burbank Park at the north end of the island and go from there.

They are taking the sandbags down as we speak!!!

I'll second the Green River/Interurban. The Interurban gets a little straight and dull after southcenter but you can really get going on those flats. Although one ride I did down there the headwind on the return was brutal. Alki trail isn't bad on the Harbor Ave side, but once you get around the bend toward the beach proper you kind of have to ride in the road since the pedestrian traffic gets a little oblivious to the bike trail in the evenings. You could combine it with a Water Taxi trip and catch the Alaskan Way/Waterfront trail, not the most efficient but a nice tour. :)

I live out by the Centennial Trail and it really is largely flat - there are also some lovely farmland loops up here though I admit they are not FLAT FLAT. But flattish.

the Redhook-- Lake Sammamish loop is fairly flat. For around here anyway.
The Seattle Bicycle Club ride library has a number of similar flat-ish rides

There is the Interurban Trail in Everett too. It can be difficult to follow in some spots, but I believe it takes you from Everett down to Shoreline (I believe it goes further south, but I understand the it gets a bit confusing).

Also, there is the Discovery Trail on the peninsula. I'm planning to check it out this fall or next year.

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Originally Posted by bmccasland

Before I decide to sell my road bike, can any of y'all recommend some flat rides - or maybe a few roller-coaster hills. My lungs stil haven't forgiven me for yesterday.
Chief Seattle Trail - walked up it, and wouldn't want to ride down it :eek:
Lake Washington up to Issaquah - location of yesterday's asthma attack. :(

I know about the Cedar River trail, and hopefully the Green River will have the monster sand bags removed. Aside from out-and-backs, where else can I ride?

I'm feeling pretty dejected right now. But would much rather ride outside than inside, especially before the weather changes.

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Beth hope you can get some good rides in before fall really sets in. I could really feel it in the air the last few mornings. This morning was the first time in months I needed my ear warmer on my ride...:eek:

I also recommend the Centennial Trail. It begins in Snohomish, (on Maple Road) not all that far from Seattle, maybe 30-40 minute drive... and well worth it. If you go all the way to the end in Bryant it is a 50 mile round trip. The only section you could really call a hill is near the Armor Trail Head in Arlington, where on the way back south there is a slight uphill grade, nothing serious. Scenic and MUCH less crowded than the Burke or Sammamish River, and definitely a more satisfying ride than the Interurban. We are going to be there tomorrow for an early start!

Happy Trails!

Hope you stick to some cycling, Beth. Give yourself a chance and fun on the flats for now.