I've waited my whole life for THIS ride || Exploring Seattle by bike [Cycling Vlog]

[@ex0stasis72]

4:26 Agreed. I drove my car down that street once, and I instantly regretted it. And now that I'm changing my car-loving ways, I'm glad it's that way. We need more car-free streets.

[@mclau1524]

people in general also just need to exercise and get outside more, bikes are really the ticket to happiness

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

Bikes are the best.

[@serious_in_seattle6917]

The I-90 bridge is a floating bridge.

[@vopner]

Hey Justin, wonderful video! As a Seattle native myself, it's pretty awesome seeing someone ride the same routes I ride weekly.

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

Hey, thanks for the comment! Really appreciate it. Yeah, I still really try to soak in what a great place it is here. 🙂

[@whahappa]

Great tour! At 3:16 it's not Burke Gilman, that's the Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop. BG keeps going west after the Fremont Bridge and the loop goes south

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

touche!

[@miknscy]

I lived ~10 years in Seattle and loved it. Cycling infrastructure changed greatly during that time to what it is right now and becoming, for better or for worse depending on who you ask. I was always a commuter (to UW) and the last 2 years that I lived there (when I started cycling more 'seriously' i.e. ~10miles per weekday, longer weekend rides), it really changed the way I saw the city. I knew the city before, but it felt like I was getting to know Seattle from a new perspective. The great thing about Seattle is that the cycling infrastructure is now such that it allows to connect and create loops across the city, in and out of Seattle, whether it is taking Ferries to an island (Cascadia club organizes beautiful rides!) or around lake Washington and beyond; its amazing. There are many trails to go bikepacking and you can even depart from Seattle! Yes, the city has its problems like every city (hey, I now live in Baltimore!), but Seattle has a huge community of outdoor enthusiasts that helps create and push for some serious commitment to keep Seattle green, maintain and develop muti-use trails, not to mention the awesome efforts by the Neighborhood Greenway!

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

That's a great insight, thanks for sharing! Even in my ~year, I very much relate to the ability to get such a sense of the city by bike. There's things I've only ever visited by bike, and (not to just extoll "BIKES!") it really is such a fun, quick way to get around. Hop through UW, explore the boats on SLU, Go to Discovery Park, go to Myrtle Edwards Park, downtown, Alki, then ferries if you want? That's a hell of a fun weekend ride that would be just awful and stressful by car. I love looping around Lake Washington. I think cars are good for getting around a city, but being semi-fit and having a road bike is a great way to experience (All the) sides of a city. Hope you're enjoying Baltimore! I've only been for an afternoon, but had a few great hours exploring the Walters.

[@miknscy]

@@JustinDoesTriathlon Thanks! So far, I am loving Baltimore. What I was most surprised about is that while the cycling infrastructure does not compare to Seattle (or other major cities with the resources and enthusiasm to invest), there is more than enough. Again, grateful to the orgs like the East Coast Greenway (Maine to Florida pathway!), and gravel routes like the C&O and GAP, not to mention the local bikeways. Cheers!

[@ex0stasis72]

I like that you seem to be one of the easy-going cyclists who favor pedestrian paths over car streets when there is no bike lane. I like the idea that city biking isn't a race. That's why I ordered an upright folding e-bike for myself recently so I can get some exercise, save some money by not owning a car, and not feel that familiar sense of dread when it comes to the Seattle area's steep hills.

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

For sure! Especially around here there's so many great paths that I do my best to stay on paths; I'm definitely willing to hop on a road if it makes sense, but always happy to stay on a path too. And that's awesome man! EBikes are great for around here with those hills. Enjoy it!

[@rossc3447]

Great video Justin, thank you tons for making this. I have the day off right now and I'm going to piggyback off your ride plan here!!!

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

Enjoy it! Great day today

[@kevinkwmiller]

Awesome video that really does a great job of showing what’s possible for riding in Seattle. Really nice production too. Thanks!

[@memdy7452]

I'm seeing this for the first time; I live on the Eastside and your bike ride video is exceptional. It was fun to see these routes through the eyes of a bicycle and not a car. Thanks! 💙💚

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

Thanks for watching! I'm looking forward to the sun again :)

[@Jewelinthelotus]

quality stuff mate! enjoyed thoroughly

[@sarahs5575]

Great video! I just got a bike this past week and can’t wait to take it across I90!

[@jimbrusso]

That was fun! i am going to Seattle this May and would love to see it on a bike!

[@MrProfessionalk]

Love your trip. Thanks for sharing.

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

Certainly! I really love it here. 🙂

[@12speed]

Yeah I decided to live on my bike in 2014-2017 ... I did live as a minimalist and I took pictures of many things.. I rode over 5000 miles across country.. from Seattle to San Diego and both ways.. I rode from Golden Colorado to lake Tahoe.. As a poor person I chose to bypass blue collar pitfalls leading up to what new about 2020..

[@billuvill]

From north I like to do what you did, but once I cross to west seattle I go to Lincoln park first, than from Lincoln to the alki point and go back to downtown via alki.

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

That's a great idea! I never go down to Lincoln. Had planned originally do to a nice day and take the ferry over and get lunch, but with everything as it's been, kinda just been inside mostly. :(

[@jasonolson5630]

Some great views. Thanks for sharing.

[@ptrbssr]

Have a great time in Seattle & surroundings. Looks great. And thanks for the virtual bike tour. Just to let you know: bought myself a Felt IA16 3 month ago. Absolutely love it! It destroys my personal bests like it's nothing (or is it me who does it?).

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

Oh it's you, but the bike doesn't hurt-the IA is a great platform. It's good for about 1 to 1.5mph across the board, which isn't too bad! I've heard there's some good low-traffic loops on some of the islands here that are great for TTing... Gonna have to find those. My Felt doesn't get enough love.

[@ryanyedinak1015]

Hey Justin, great video and thanks for the upload. Are you still living in the area? I’m also from the Spokane-CDA area and absolutely love Seattle and hope to someday make the move to the west side. I rode the Burke-Gilman trail the last time I was over and it was a great way to spend an afternoon in the city.

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

Yeah, small world! Yep, love it over here; we just bought a house, so we're here for the long haul. BG trail is a great trail, but especially in the summer it's really busy and has a speed limit, so I don't find myself on it a TOO much anymore. The Eastside has a lot of great riding with much less traffic (car or bike,) and the i90 trail is really solid. The dedicated trail up in Snohomish is really nice and much less busy. I still really like zipping around over to Alki and such. There's a loop you can do around Mercer island too. That said, CDA and Spokane are definitely great. A decade ago I practically lived on the Centennial trail. I love that ride.

[@jeremyg20R1]

Hey great video! I’ll look fir you out on the trails and I’ll say hi. Safe riding.

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

And to you! Honestly I'm probably not going outdoors until April, but definitely say hi! 🥶🤣

[@d_d88888]

Absolutely love this tour! What would you have estimated your total distance you traveled? Hope all is well!

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

Thanks! It's still a solid route. Great way to get out for a little while. 25mi or so depending on if you go out to Alki or not.

[@ezrajordan9020]

Happy for your dude!

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

Thank you! Now if only they make CDA a full again and then I'll have everything!

[@bigstepguy]

I see the Public Market, is that the place that is known for fresh seafood or more precisely throwing fish outlandishly as they sell to the public? I was an OTR semi driver and I window viewed seattle 95% and put my feet on the pavement 5% as I loaded and delivered in the area. I appreciate your ride and show tour. You got a thumbs up from me.

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

Haha yeah, exactly! I think you nailed it, I don't think the fish they throw is what they actually sell (it's basically just for fun,) but at some point I'm pretty sure that's how they got it around. Thanks for watching! I don't envy your driving a truck through Seattle, especially downtown. Funny enough, I think bikes are so great for getting a view of the city. I can get in, through, and out of downtown in 20 minutes, including being right at the steps of whatever I want. That's hours in a car.

[@frank4777]

Possible you can map this ride out? Making plans for a short trip in early November 2022 from Los Angeles. Suggestions where I can find Scenic Road Bike Routes? Thank you!

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

You're gonna love it! Hope the weather holds. For Nov, I'd suggest leg warmers and a long sleeve jersey. I'll try to make a map, but I'm crazy busy right now, so in the meantime, what I'd suggest for a great tour of is getting on board the Burke Gillman in Kenmore, riding south to South Lake Union, crossing over to the waterfront trail, going through SODO and out to Alki Beach, then back to downtown, heading east over to the Jose Real Bridge, then depending on length, either back up to Kenmore or down around Lake Washington and up the Bellevue side ultimately returning to Kenmore. You can make your start point anywhere along that route, but Kenmore is easy. You should also consider taking either 520 or i90 bridges across the water. Very fun, unique route! Super customizable based on distance preferences

[@CyclingDad]

If you have a link to your strava ride, we could work from that.

[@museves]

I missed Seattle and Wa state

[@Whatsth3ruckus]

I know it's cloudy for most of the year, which is fine, but what I would like to know is, is the ground wet/damp a majority of the time as well? Asking because I too ride a road bike a lot but also inline skate a bunch. Trying to figure how wet the ground is out there.

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

I would definitely say that the roads are damp fairly often. Or at least, sections of it are. I think I know what you mean, because that's the sort of weather that causes me to have to clean my drivetrain extra, and it's certainly not rare. Especially in the late April/May/early June time, you'll get sunny blue days, but it's still cool and the trails are still damp and gritty. The summer is 💯 though

[@Whatsth3ruckus]

@@JustinDoesTriathlon Ahh I see, thanks for the reply!

[@sklegg]

How much training and experience is required to do a ride like this and enjoy it? I am starting from zero fitness but aspire to eventually have the ability to do a ride like this.

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

You absolutely can! It's a really tough question because even 'zero' is different things to different people. Age, genetics, previous injuries, and even how active you were growing up plays a factor. I think to go from very little to being able to *complete* this ride, 3-5 months would be good to not feel completely torched at the end. 5-8 months would probably be a bit better. A year or two to really be able to do rides like this without any 'effort' or concern. But if your goal is to be able to do it at a comfortable-ish level, then next summer is 100% in the cards. There's a lot of fun to be had in the 35-55 mile range. :) That's nice because it gets you out for a few hours and you really get to explore around. 60-80 is kinda my sweet spot now where it's long enough that I'm really out there a ways, but I'm fine the next day. But I've been riding a long time.

[@sklegg]

@@JustinDoesTriathlon I'm checking in eight months later. By now I have ridden to most of the places in this video. Pike Place Market is still unexplored by bike but the Elliott Bay Trail, Gas Works, UW, 520, Seattle Center, and Lake Union are all places I frequent on two wheels. I think a 45 mile day is still out of my reach due to my fitness level but maybe I'll get there by the end of 2022.

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

Excellent! Happy to hear that. Bummer about the record low sun this year but hopefully these next two months will be awesome. 😅 Any fav spots?

[@sklegg]

@@JustinDoesTriathlon I wilt in the sun so 60 degree days work just fine for me. :D I really like linking the Burke-Gilman to the Elliott Bay trail via the Ballard Locks and Gilman Ave. The Interurban North is also kind of a gem due to low traffic. Check it out!

[@raymason1873]

Hey Justin great video. I’m moving to Seattle in the next few weeks. What type of bike would you recommend for riding around the city? My budget would be around $500. Thanks for the help!

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

Awesome! Welcome, you'll love it. What's it for? Commuting/ zipping around your neighborhood/road/gravel/etc?

[@raymason1873]

@@JustinDoesTriathlon it will be for commuting back and forth to work, and for riding around the city. Thank you!

[@jawaraoconnor]

I do love Seattle something terrible. Best, most beautiful city in the country.

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

Love it

[@brauljo]

2:51 The clip cut off too soon! Couldn't get a good look at the recumbent.

[@forloop7713]

Very nice infrastructure

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

Very!

[@pc2780]

Which bike do you have?

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

That's a Scott CR1

[@I_dont_even_work_out]

what bike do you own??

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

2011 Scott CR1 Pro and a 2018 Felt IA14

[@valentinasilva2779]

Lol Seattle is one of those places where everyone outside of it thinks it’s cool but when you get to live there you think it sucks lol.

[@mikedevita5558]

Don't go to Portland

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

True enough! I've been there and I enjoy it, I've just never felt the draw quite the same way. It's a nice city... Was third on our list of PNW options. I've heard the biking is amazing

[@profd65]

The two richest persons on Earth live in the Seattle area. Just a little bit of money.

[@JustinDoesTriathlon]

Just a bit. I was like half a mile from Bill Gates' house on the 520. And then there's me. 😅😂 Oh well, I'm content. 🙂