Seattle Pastry Ride - Hiroki Cafe (brisk/moderate/ste­­ady). 14-34 miles

Join us for a ride around Seattle to Hiroki cafe (http://hiroki.us/) near Green Lake. Starting from the Lower Woodland Ballfields parking lot, we will ride south toward Fremont. After crossing the Fremont Bridge, we head west toward Discovery Park in Magnolia. After a steep but short climb near Discovery Park, we ride a counter-clockwise loop around Magnolia. As we leave Magnolia, we ride south on the Elliott Bay Trail along the beautiful Seattle waterfront. From near the end of the trail, we go through Belltown along 2nd Ave and then changing direction to go toward South Lake Union. Riding on the Cheshiahud Loop along the eastern shore of Lake Union, we will be able to check out some of Seattle's famous houseboat communities. From the tiny Eastlake neighborhood, we ride south toward the Washington Park Arboretum. A fun descent down Colman Park is followed by a northward ride along the western shore of Lake Washington. We will traverse through the Arboretum, going across the Montlake cut for a short ride on the Burke Gilman Trail. After exiting the trail near the University Village, we climb up Ravenna Boulevard toward Green Lake, which should build up a pretty good appetite for our pastry destination: Hiroki Cafe at mile 34 (22 for moderate, 14 for steady).

Moderate: After crossing the Fremont Bridge, we circle around Lake Union skipping Discovery Park and Magnolia.

Steady: Follows the moderate route, heads back through the Arboretum before reaching Lake Washington.

This will be a social, stay-together ride with waits at the top of hills and all critical turns along with photo-op stops along the way.

Please have long fenders to protect riders behind you if roads are wet (or be prepared to ride at the back of the group). If ride is cancelled due to weather, it will be posted here in comments by 8:00 a.m. and ride leaders will not be waiting at the start.

Notes: Bathrooms at start.

Brisk: We can also make a restroom stop at Discovery Park, Lake Union Park (mile 15.5)

Moderate: Optional restroom stop Madrona Park (mp 14.3) if needed.

All riders should come equipped to deal with their own mechanicals. Waiting for mechanicals will be at the discretion of the ride leader.

Ride Leaders:
Brisk (16 - 18 mph) - Changren Yong, Rich Knox
Moderate (14 - 16 mph) - Alfred Fung
Steady (12-14 mph) - David Selk

Route links:
Brisk (34.5 miles / 1960 feet) (http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6470577)
Moderate (22.6 miles / 1209 feet) (http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6493433)
Steady (14.9 / 733 feet) (http://ridewithgps.com/routes/6504026)