Emerald City Ride 2026

Event Description

See Seattle by bike from a state highway! We're taking over southbound SR-99 and the West Seattle Bridge for an early morning spin around Alki and a jaunt south to Fauntleroy. This 20-mile ride offers a car-free experience for the first three and a half miles and takes you past some of the best lookout points and views of the Seattle skyline and Puget Sound's islands.

Ten miles of nearly flat terrain transforms into a hill climb up from the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal. Riders are rewarded with a gradual downhill grade through Delridge on the return to downtown Seattle via the low bridge.

Come celebrate the return of the Emerald City Ride, which has been on pause since 2024.

This event is a fundraiser for Cascade Bicycle Club's programming in advocacy, education, and community rides. Add a donation to your registration total via our tiered pricing and help bridge the gap for safer streets to bike on in Seattle and across the state.

Communications

Check back here for the latest email sent to riders.

Registration & Pricing

Online registration closes on Thursday, April 23 at 11:59 p.m. There is no registration available at the start line.

Packet  Pickup & Mailing

Register from February 24 to April 6 to have your packet mailed. Please allow two weeks for delivery.

People who register after April 6 will be required to pick up their packets at the locations and times listed below. This is due to the fact that our access to SR-99 and the West Seattle Bridge is restricted to a narrow window of time, and there is not adequate time to allow people to pick up packets at the start line.  

T-shirts

T-shirts are available as an add-on purchase.

Route

Schedule

It is imperative that all riders be at the start line by 7 a.m. and be riding before 8 a.m. due to strict requirements from the state for closing Southbound SR-99 and the West Seattle Bridge to cars. All riders must be on the SR-99 on-ramp to West Seattle Bridge by 8 a.m. sharp. This is a strict cut-off time, so arrive early and plan to finish pedaling over the bridge by 9 a.m. The tight time constraints are why we urge everyone to register early to get their packets mailed in plenty of time, or to pick up packets in-person if registering after April 6.

Start Line Parking & Transit

Consider biking to the start or using public transit. See Sound Transit for Sunday light rail schedules, and catch the earliest train possible.

See the SDOT Bike Map if you plan to bike to the start. 

If you plan to drive, arrive early to find parking. Thousands of other riders will be traveling to the same location and parking near the start line will be limited. Give yourself ample time to find and pay for parking, and to set up your bike and get to the start. The Mariners Garage on Edgar Martinez Drive will be available for $15, pay onsite only, but the garage has a height restriction of 7' 0" - so plan to use an alternate lot if your bike is mounted on a roof rack. Check out Downtown Seattle Parking for rates and parking locations.

Inclusion

Everyone is welcome at Cascade events. We are committed to celebrating and promoting diversity in the bicycling community. We aim to provide safe spaces at start lines, finish lines, and official rest stops. Read our commitment to anti-racism and our participant code of conduct and grievance policy.

We are guests in the neighborhood of West Seattle and want to be respectful of our neighbors.

We would like to acknowledge that our rides take place on native land. Our offices are located on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present.

Food & Breaks

The first rest stop at Alki Beach will be available five miles into this 20-mile route. Porta-potties, water, electrolytes, and light snacks will be available, as well as mechanical support and First Aid.

A second rest stop at South Seattle College will have water, electrolyte mix, and porta-potties, around mile 15.5.

Support During the Ride

This ride is supported by Cascade staff and volunteers, local community group volunteers, and municipal services.

Support and gear (SAG) vehicles are present on the route and dispatched when you call the ride support hotline. SAG vehicles can transport you and most models of bikes in the event of a mechanical or minor medical event. You should always call 911 in a life-threatening emergency.

Outriders are volunteers in white, green, and black jerseys that ride on the route, assisting you with minor mechanical and minor medical issues, like cuts and scrapes, dispensing advice and directions, and helping you to Ride S.M.A.R.T. 

Mechanics are posted at the start line and at the Alki rest stop.

Westside Bicycle will be open during the event. This bike shop is located in West Seattle on Harbor Ave. after exiting the bridge.

Traffic officers are posted at highway and bridge crossings. 

Weather

Be ready for rain, sun or wind. It can be windy high atop the West Seattle Bridge. 

Training

This ride is 20 miles long and includes riding on streets with vehicular traffic and residential areas with pedestrians. The second half of the ride introduces a series of hills, including a mile-long climb from the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal. And yes you can walk up that hill on the sidewalk. We recommend you go on a few neighborhood rides that include at least one hill climb. Join us on a Free Group Ride and get the support you need from fellow riders and a club-certified Ride Leader to tackle hills safely and confidently!

If you plan on hauling a trailer with a child or a pet, consider doing some training rides at least 10 miles long and with a hill. Sidewalks along the hilly part of the route are available for you to walk up. Just remember that you'll still be pulling your trailer! Join us for Pedaling Relief Project rides where we rescue and deliver food by bike with trailers and you'll feel ready in no time!

Volunteer at This Event

Help make this event a success by volunteering! 

See all volunteer roles and sign up

See the volunteer calendar

The hard work and passion that volunteers bring to Cascade make our Free Group Rides program, major rides (like this one!), advocacy work, and education programs possible. 

Become part of the Cascade volunteer family and make a lasting impact on building a better cycling world for all!

Thank You To Our Sponsors

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Interested in becoming a major sponsor? Contact Connie Stark by Friday. March 15.

For other sponsorship levels, contact Connie Stark by April 10.