Burke Gilman: Rails to Trails & Missing Link: Gas Works Park>>Ballard Locks loop (Steady)

This is a short Cascade Bicycle Club advocacy ride incorporating a film interview with the Club's Executive Director Lee Lambert highlighting the history of the Burke Gilman Trail and the "Missing Link" section of the trail. The interview is intended to be a portion of a larger documentary about the national rails-to-trails movement airing on PBS next year. The focus of the ride is to address the importance of the Missing Link and the decades-long struggle to complete the one-mile long section in Ballard. Peter Harnik, co-founder of the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, may join the ride. Participants may be a part of the filming process with a camera person accompanying the ride.

Route: A purely social bike ride along the Burke Gilman Trail west to the Ballard Locks. The terrain is flat. We will ride on the historic Missing Link segment on Shilshole Ave NW and turn around at the Ballard Locks. Our return will be along the newly-proposed segment (NW Market St, Leary Ave NW, 17th Ave NW) to complete the trail in Ballard, then return to Gas Works Park.  

Pace:  An 8-mile route at a steady pace may involve intermediate stops for filming and commentary.

Fenders: If the riding surfaces are wet, please come equipped with fenders long enough to keep the person riding behind you from getting wheel spray.

Ride start: We will meet at the Gas Works parking lot.  Please be ready to ride at 3:00 p.m. We will start with a required safety briefing and roll out when that's done. All riders must attend the safety briefing to participate. Restrooms are available at the start. 

Be Prepared:  Be prepared if you have a mechanical problem e.g. flat tire or have a rescue plan, e.g. bus pass (ORCA card).

Parking: Free parking at Gas Works parking lot.  

Weather cancelation: If weather conditions meet the weather cancelation criterion listed  or if there are unforeseen hazardous riding conditions or other unexpected events, the Ride Leader will cancel the ride and all registered riders will be sent a notification email. If the ride is cancelled at least two hours before the start, Ride Leader(s) will not be at the start location. Please check before leaving for the ride location.

If you have questions, please contact the Ride Leader.

We hope you can join us!