FRUMPS -- Ridges, Bridges and Lunch on Mercer Island

This ride will take us up and over, or around, three of the many ridges that characterize the Puget Sound Basin.  We will also take bridges that cross the Duwamish River and Lake Washington.  On our way through Sodo, we will observe the progress of construction of a new "bridge," i.e., the overpass that will take S. Lander Street over the railroad tracks.  When complete, this multi-million dollar improvement will eliminate the need for cyclists (and buses) to wait as the interminable freight train rumbles by.   As we leave Sodo and cross Lake Washington on the Lacey V. Murrow Floating Bridge (a/k/a I-90, eastbound), we will observe still more construction -- Sound Transit's multi-billion dollar project to extend light rail to the Eastside, which includes retrofitting the bridge.  We will have a rest stop at the Aubrey Davis Park on the Mercer Island "lid," then follow Mercer Way around the island before stopping for lunch in Mercer Island's business district.  After lunch, we will return to West Seattle via the Homer C. Hadley Floating Bridge (a/k/a I-90, westbound).  After again transitting Sodo (passing the Lander Street construction site once more), we will ride back to the start by cycling along the beach at Alki. 

We will climb and descend hills at our own pace, with occasional regroups.

The ride will start at Me-Kwa-Mooks Park (porta-potty available here;  water not available here).  We will have a rest stop/short break on the lid, at mile 16.  After circling Mercer Island, we will stop for lunch at New Seasons (at mile 30) or other establishments at rider's discretion.

There is ample on-street parking on Beach Drive SW near the park.  The ride leader will be on the sidewalk on the west side of Beach Drive SW.  Please arrive by 9:45 so that we can have introductions and do the safety briefing and be ready to depart Me-Kwa-Mooks Park at the advertised start time.

You are encouraged to pre-register by clicking the red "Register Now" button above.  There is no need to unregister if you are not able to make it or if you decide not to ride. 

In case of steady rain, the ride leader will not be at the start.  The ride leader will post a cancelation note in the Comments section below at least two hours before the start.