Calling Pacific Northwest (Seattle/Vancouver) paceliners

[fa63]

I will be in Vancouver then Seattle next week for vacation. Looking for a shop to rent a road bike for a day at each location. Also, any route recommendations that would allow me to enjoy the natural beauty of the areas (so less urban and more rural) would be appreciated. Looking for routes around 50 miles.

Thanks!

[d_douglas]

I don't live in Vanc now but can comment on riding from days past:

There's a series of three small mountains on the North Shore (cypress/Grouse/Seymour) that are great for being in the city yet doing some pretty awesome climbs. The epic rider does all three, just starting at one end and moving across, climbing and descending as you go.

I just quickly checked and BSP. (Bicycle Sports Pacific) is a decent shop that says they rent Cannondale Synapses, so that's a good bet. There are tons of supertouristy rental places for cruising on the seawall that might a road bike as well, but I would be doubtful.

Enjoy Vancouver - it's a spectacular city. Head over to Kitsilano for nice beaches and great walking on Jericho and Kits beaches. Eat lots of sushi!!

[PSC]

In Seattle, Montlake Lake bike shop rents some nice bikes and then do The Lake Washington Loop.

[bironi]

And you might take a ferry from Seattle to Winslow (on Bainbridge Island). There is a 30+ mile loop around the island. If you want more you could head to Poulsbo.

Here is a nice visual of the city layout from the Space Needle. Check it out on a sunny day like this coming Thursday.

http://www.spaceneedle.com/webcam/

You'll love Vancouver - great city.

[Kirk007]

If you want a really nice bike in Seattle area go to Element Cycles in Redmond - Colnago C60s, Pinarello Dogmas etc. for around $90-100 a day. Lots of rural routes out there.

[bironi]

Yeah I thought of Element as well, but kind of a long commute to get your rental. But hey I've been down in Olympia for a while and maybe the bus connections are pretty good now. I have yet to make into Element, but hope to soon. I've heard good things. Here is what Element rents on the high end road bikes, but they rent other types as well.

https://elementcycles.checkfront.com/reserve/

[dieonthishill]

Woodinville Bicycle is the best.

[fa63]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. The Lake Washington loop in Seattle looks pretty good, might just do that. I also wouldn't mind doing it on a Colnago :)

[cnighbor1]

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/bikemaps.htm

http://www.seattlebikeblog.com/2011/06/10/new-king-county-bicycle-map-now-online/

also check with Robert D Freeman of Davidson Cycles in
North Bend, WA
USA
a friend

Robert Freeman
rdf1249@aol.com

[bironi]

^Wow - Something went sideways!:beer:

[11.4]

Two top Seattle-area recommendations: 1. Go out to Element Cycles, rent a really nice bike, and head up the Sammamish River Trail (right next to the shop) or go over the ridge down to the Snoqualmie River Valley. Great rural roads, farms, and some good hills to seek out or to avoid. The SR Trail takes you up to winery country with tasting rooms, custom whiskey salons, and so on. Lots of good reasonably priced restaurants in Redmond as well.

2. Head the opposite direction and take the ferry across to Bainbridge. On Bainbridge, Classic Cycles is just off the ferry ramp and BI Cycles is about a mile away through a very picturesque center of town. Get a nice rental at either one and ride the periphery of the island (about 30 miles), add in Ft. Ward Park, and extend the ride up Lemolo Road to Poulsbo if you want a little more distance and a beautiful shoreline ride with a turnaround in a classic Swedish waterfront town.

There are other rides, but these two are easy to map, you're away from major traffic, and there are bike rental shops with pro bikes right at the courses. Both have lots going on that you can enjoy after your ride. Both have hotels and motels if you can stay the night -- give you a way to clean up and make an evening of it. Bainbridge has some of the best dining in the Seattle area and the roads are gorgeous. Bainbridge does not have much street lighting so be sure you're back before sunset.

As for Vancouver, the issue is more one of getting to the good riding areas. Vancouver has so much urban activity that I'd suggest you spend your time in Vancouver on your feet and put more riding time into Seattle. Better rentals and more accessible routes in Seattle. If you want to go to Victoria, it's very beautiful and has both superb street life and some great riding areas.

One last idea is to go up to Port Townsend. You can ride it, but I'd drive up there, perhaps with a bike. You can sea kayak right from the downtown main street, go riding all over the area, walk the beaches and the big military bases turned into parks. Countless movies have been filmed in Pt. Townsend (Snow Falling on Cedars, Officer and a Gentleman, and so on) -- it's a cool place. If you have the extra day and don't want to spend it in Seattle, Pt. Townsend is definitely a possibility, and you go right through Bainbridge to get there.

[Point Grey]

Where in Vancouver will you be staying?
You can also rent from Rekless in Yaletown http://reckless.ca/rentals/

How long of a ride time wise are you looking to ride?

[mjb266]

If you skip Whatcom county you're missing out.

[bironi]

Two top Seattle-area recommendations: 1. Go out to Element Cycles, rent a really nice bike, and head up the Sammamish River Trail (right next to the shop) or go over the ridge down to the Snoqualmie River Valley. Great rural roads, farms, and some good hills to seek out or to avoid. The SR Trail takes you up to winery country with tasting rooms, custom whiskey salons, and so on. Lots of good reasonably priced restaurants in Redmond as well.

2. Head the opposite direction and take the ferry across to Bainbridge. On Bainbridge, Classic Cycles is just off the ferry ramp and BI Cycles is about a mile away through a very picturesque center of town. Get a nice rental at either one and ride the periphery of the island (about 30 miles), add in Ft. Ward Park, and extend the ride up Lemolo Road to Poulsbo if you want a little more distance and a beautiful shoreline ride with a turnaround in a classic Swedish waterfront town.

There are other rides, but these two are easy to map, you're away from major traffic, and there are bike rental shops with pro bikes right at the courses. Both have lots going on that you can enjoy after your ride. Both have hotels and motels if you can stay the night -- give you a way to clean up and make an evening of it. Bainbridge has some of the best dining in the Seattle area and the roads are gorgeous. Bainbridge does not have much street lighting so be sure you're back before sunset.

As for Vancouver, the issue is more one of getting to the good riding areas. Vancouver has so much urban activity that I'd suggest you spend your time in Vancouver on your feet and put more riding time into Seattle. Better rentals and more accessible routes in Seattle. If you want to go to Victoria, it's very beautiful and has both superb street life and some great riding ares.

One last idea is to go up to Port Townsend. You can ride it, but I'd drive up there, perhaps with a bike. You can sea kayak right from the downtown main street, go riding all over the area, walk the beaches and the big military bases turned into parks. Countless movies have been filmed in Pt. Townsend (Snow Falling on Cedars, Officer and a Gentleman, and so on) -- it's a cool place. If you have the extra day and don't want to spend it in Seattle, Pt. Townsend is definitely a possibility, and you go right through Bainbridge to get there.

I am just a lazy typist. 11.4 reads my mind and types as well.

[fa63]

Just landed in Seattle :)

We are staying in the Mt. Pleasant area in Vancouver. Staying in West Seattle while there. Looking to do rides around 3 hours.

I will have to check out Whatcom County as well.

Thanks again for all the suggestions so far!

[Kirk007]

I live In West Seattle but will be back east when you are in town otherwise we could go ride. West Settle Cyclery has started to rent bikes but limited selection. if you have a bike for a couple days though, you could take the ferry to Vashon. Great rides around the Island similar to Bainbridge. Quite easy to get to either Redmond or Bainbridge from WS. Good restaurants In California Junction area. Bakery Nouveau is owned by a baker who captained the only US team to win Gold Metal at world baking championship in Paris. Alki Beach is a fun scene. Recommend Sunfish over Spuds for fish and chips. Get a drink and Hawaiian-korean fusion food on the outdoor patio at Marination Ma Kai - watch the suns setting rays reflect off the downtown skyline. Good walking in Lincoln Park. Have fun!

[bironi]

Please delete the bs space filler post.

[KidWok]

Feel free to PM me...weather looks great this week and I could be convinced to play tour guide last I did last time.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c151/TaiLee77/Mobile%20Uploads/20150423_111159_zps3mqnyjfv.jpg

Tai

[fa63]

Just wanted to check in and say thank you again for everyone who provided suggestions.

While in Vancouver, I ended up doing an out and back ride from Mt. Pleasant to Cypress Mountain. Have to say that was one heck of a climb, and the climbing just to get to the base of the mountain was also a pretty good effort. Then the same afternoon, I rented a tandem with my wife and ended up riding around Stanley Park. Nice way to spin out the legs and enjoy some great views.

On the way from Vancouver to Seattle, we passed through Whatcom County and it looked beautiful. Unfortunately, a ride wasn't in the cards that day but I did do the hardest hike of my life; "Easy" Pass Trail in the North Cascades, 3.5 miles one way with 3,000 feet of elevation gain. My legs are still hurting from it...

In Seattle, I started the morning with breakfast at Bakery Nouveau, then rented a nice Colnago C60 with Super Record :D from Element Cycles and did a 55 mile loop around Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish. Great trails and scenery. The food wasn't bad either.

I have to say, after our Pacific Northwest adventure, I am convinced that we live on the wrong side of the country. Of course cost of living is way cheaper where we are (Atlanta, GA) but I guess you get what you pay for.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/11/0a10e665fec0204222e6a056f96853f8.jpg