Who should I trust to work on my Shiv, preferably in SW Seattle?
I had Westside Bicycle work on my Felt DA1. They replaced the front brake and adjusted the rear; there’s not much more of a pain in the ass to do on that bike then work on the brakes, and they did a good job.
Not Gregg’s. They deal with hundreds of commuter bikes and fixie beaters all day and would casually squeeze your Shiv in between two 30 year old steel Schwinns and rush through the work and half ass it.
I trust Edge and Spoke in Redmond. They’ve done fantastic work on my Shiv and they are a Spesh dealer. But it is a bit out of your way.
Thanks!
Thanks!
I second edge and spoke in Redmond. I am in North Seattle and I still go over there to see them. They’re fairly busy usually but the guys work really hard and get things done when they tell you they will.
Sounds like it might be worth a trip.
Also, any recommendations for tri groups to do weekend rides and workouts with? I’m new to the area and still looking for some good roads. Been on trails primarily.
3rd strong recommendation for Edge and Spoke. Vinny is the owner and also a triathlete. They are also a specialized dealer.
There’s a couple great teams here, I’m on PR Performance and I have a great coach. The best rides in king county on towards the east parts that are less populated.
If you need a hill course, look up “7 hills of Kirkland”
For century rides “flying wheels century”
For something shorter “lake Washington loop” or “lake sammamish loop”
Quick ride from the city jump over i90 to Mercer island and ride without stoplights. If I can think of other stuff I’ll let you know.
There are several tri clubs if you are looking for that. TN multisports, Pauole, VO2.
Best rides are east of lake Washington. Ride across I-90 bike lane, or soon across 520 when the bike lane opens across the bridge this fall. Or drive to Redmond and park at Marymoor park. It is $1 to park inside, or there’s free street parking on NE 65th St just outside of the park. Lake Sammamish loop is great. Just make sure to do it counterclockwise because there is no bike lane or shoulder northbound on West Lake Sammamish. East Lake Sammamish has bike lanes on both sides.
Best ride in the Seattle metro area bar none is: start at Marymoor park, go east on 202 to Fall City, or climb over Novelty Hill if you want then swing south on 203 to Fall City, and continue through Snoqualmie to North Bend. The shoulder is narrow and the traffic is fast, but the road is great and the scenery unmatched in the metro area. This is best done early on weekend mornings in the summer.
Have you discovered Colman pool yet? It is a 50m salt water outdoor pool in Lincoln Park in west Seattle. Open seasonally. In the winter try King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.
Best running IMO is also on the east side. Try parking at a place called 60 acre park in Redmond and run on Sammamish River trail. There’s also Lake Sammamish trail going south from Marymoor park all the way to Issaquah. The two trails meet at that park. Sammamish River trail runs north and meets up with Burke Gilman in Kenmore. You probably know about Burke Gilman. It is possible to stay on a trail from Ballard through UW then north to Kenmore, then south down the east side of the lake to Redmond, then to Issaquah. You can get onto this gem of a trail system by riding the I90 trail from Seattle to Issaquah, or by riding Burke Gilman around the north end of the lake. Soon the 520 bike path will open from Seattle to Redmond. The trail is rideable from Union Bay to Redmond only until the last section opens to Seattle. Edit: oh right. All these are paved except for a 4 or so mile section half way between Redmond and Issaquah. The pavement is good everywhere except on 520 near Microsoft where it’s uprooted in a few places, and a stretch of Burke Gilman somewhere half way between UW and Kenmore. That miles long stretch of Burke Gilman is frankly a disgrace. It is all uprooted.
That should get you started. There are many good bike routes and trails both well known and well hidden to discover. And then you’ll start going out of the city and discover the Cascade passes and Olympic peninsula and riding on San Juan islands and trail running in the foothills, you’ll never want to leave. 
Thanks, good to know its popular in the tri crowd.
Great, this will be plenty to start with!
Much appreciated. I’ve got some homework to do.