Gas Works to West Seattle and Magnolia...with Coffee and Troll! (Moderate)

Let's meet at the east end of the parking lot in Gas Works Park.  Be there, ready to go at 9:30AM. We'll start with a required safety briefing and roll out when that's done.  All riders must attend the safety briefing to participate.

In this week's edition of our "Gas Works...with Coffee!" series we'll be exploring West Seattle and Magnolia...with coffee and a troll!  From Gas Works we'll make our way through downtown Seattle to the waterfront and across the West Seattle "low bridge".  Up and over West Seattle as if we were heading to the Fauntleroy ferry terminal (practice for a future edition).  Our reward for climbing: a long descent to Lincoln Park and a photo op with a troll.  After paying our respects to Bruun Idin we cruise clockwise around the West Seattle shoreline and Alki, then back across the bridge and north past the Seattle waterfront on our way to the Elliott Bay Trail and Magnolia.  Our sociable break will be at Uptown Espresso in "downtown" Magnolia.  After the break it's a clockwise loop around Magnolia and through Discovery Park.  We end by following the Canal Trail to the Fremont Bridge and then back to Gas Works.

Note: We have an "alternate coffee stop" at Natalie's on Alki (MP 17.7).  As of this writing the ride leaders haven't yet decided whether we're stopping at the "primary coffee stop" or the "alternate coffee stop".  These are weighty decisions and cannot be rushed.

Shameless plug - We're planning to continue these rides through the Fall, weather permitting.  Different routes each week will range from 32 to 50+ miles.  Sometimes there will be trolls.  There will always be coffee!  

About the pace - We will be cruising at the high end of the moderate pace range, often closer to 16 MPH than 14, aiming for a final "moving average" around 15 MPH +/-.  We climb and descend hills at our own pace and regroup frequently.  We limit our speed on any multi-use paths to the legal maximum (15 MPH on the Burke-Gilman).

Bathrooms are available at the start/end at Gas Works Park and at in Lincoln Park (MP ~12.7).  There is also a restroom at Uptown Espresso (MP 30.9).  

Bring a spare tube and tools to fix a flat, just in case. Other things to bring: phone, ID, cash and/or credit card, ORCA card, water.  You may also want to bring a snack if you don't plan to buy anything to eat at the break.  

There is a always a chance of rain in the PNW.  Check the weather beforehand, dress appropriately and please have full fenders if the roads are wet, or you may be asked to ride at the rear of the group.

Note: If weather conditions meet the weather cancellation criterion listed above or if there are unforeseen hazardous riding conditions or other unexpected events, the Ride Leaders 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, the Ride Leaders will not be at the start location. Please check before leaving for the ride.

We hope you can join us!