Hazel's Amazing Trader Joe's Adventure (Steady)

PLEASE CHECK OUT THE LINKS SECTION OF THIS POST FOR INFO ABOUT PARKING!

Heyo, I'm Hazel, and I want you to join me on a most epic adventure to all 6 locations in Seattle of my favorite store, Trader Joe's!

There are six Trader Joe's spread out over the greater city of Seattle and this route takes us past each and every one of them! Interested? Read on below for more details about the route.

Our adventure begins in the West Seattle golf course parking lot (Please check parking info link for info on parking). The ride will start promptly at 10am with a quick safety briefing and overview of the route that should last about 6 minutes before we roll out. Please ensure that you are fully ready to ride at 10am. All riders must attend the safety briefing to participate.

About the route:  

• The beginning: 

  We start by riding up the block to the West Seattle Joe's before continuing down SW Avalon Way to the West Seattle Bridge trail. From there we use the Elliott Bay trail to connect us to   the SODO trail and ride to the edge of Capitol Hill. One brief climb later and we continue into Capitol Hill to the Cap hill Joe's! 

• The middle: 

  After admiring the second Joe's on our journey we continue down through the Madrona           neighborhood to the Washington Park Arboretum trail which connects with the Burke           Gilman and the U-District Trader Joe's. We then continue up to the newest Trader Joe's to the Seattle area in Greenwood using the Green Lake Cycle Path. We continue down through some more neighborhoods to Ballard and stop by the Ballard Trader Joe's before continuing to the Ballard Locks. 
  
  Our steady pace will keep us below the 15mph speed limit on the trails but we will drop down to 10mph on the arboretum trail to obey the posted trail speed limits. We'll also limit our speed on any other multi-use paths to the legal maximum (usually 15 MPH, occasionally 10 MPH).

• The end:

  Once we arrive at the Locks we have a bathroom and water stop along with a WALKING        SEGMENT that should last about 10 minutes. After we make it across the Locks we climb and descend some minor hills on our way to the big climb up to Queen Anne. Once we've       conquered the climbs we grab lunch at the Queen Anne Starbucks. After lunch is over we   descend out of Queen Anne and use the Elliott Bay Trail to bring us to the Seattle waterfront   where we ride back over to the West Seattle bridge and back up to the West Seattle Golf Course.

Some good things to know:

1. This route contains A LOT of regroups (Approx. 20~). If stopping every 7-8 miles or more often isn't your thing this ride might not be for you.
2. This ride is expected to take about 5~ hours (including lunch and bathroom breaks)
3. There is a dismount zone at the Ballard locks and we WILL be dismounting and walking our bikes through that section.
4. This route travels through various types of urban terrain including bike paths, city streets, shoulders of busy roads, multi-use paths, bike lanes, bumpy roads, and sidewalks. Speak with the ride leader if needed to address any concerns about riding on these surfaces before attending this ride.
5. This route contains multiple climbs (Max/Min grade +12%/-10%). You are 100% welcome to walk your bike if needed. We will regroup at the top of all climbs and all major descents.
6. Bike parking at the Queen Anne Starbucks is limited so you may have to lean your bike against a wall. Bicycles are NOT allowed inside Starbucks.   
7. Restrooms ARE NOT available at the start. We have bathrooms at Mile 23.3 and 27.4 and optionally at all of our Trader Joe's stops along the way. We also have water stops at mile 23.3 and 27.4 (food stop).

Also, you should make sure to 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 AND SUNSCREEN!

ABOUT CANCELLATION:

If weather conditions meet the weather cancellation criterion listed in the Weather Status 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 canceled at least two hours before the start, Ride Leader(s) will not be at the start location. Please check before leaving for the ride.

Also note: this ride will also cancel if

1. There is a Extreme Heat Watch or Extreme Heat Warning in effect. (This ride may also cancel if there is a Heat advisory in effect)
2. if the temperature is or is forecasted to be above 90°F  at the ride start time.
3. It is raining or is above an 80% chance of forecasted rain at the ride start time.
    

I look forward to you joining me on this most epic adventure! See ya there!