about 23 miles in two days

I wanted to embed the maps but it looks like I won't get the results I want, so I'll just link them.

Yesterday's bicycle route, the Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop, just circles Lake Union:

• From my home north across the Fremont Bridge
• East along the Burke-Gilman Trail around the north side of Lake Union to the University Bridge
• South across the University Bridge, then down the east side of Lake Union mostly along Fairview Ave E
• West through the South Lake Union Park, then up the west side of Lake Union along Westlake Ave N and back home

Google Maps 7.3 miles total, estimated 44 minutes—not counting the time I spent checking out South Lake Union Park, that was about right.

Today's bicycle route circled as much of the entire Lake Washington Ship Canal as possible:

• From my home west along the Ship Canal Trail to the Ballard Bridge (but not crossing it)
• Crossing 15th Ave W into Magnolia, and riding up W Emerson Pl to Gilman Ave W
• Northwest up Gilman Ave W and west on W Government Way to 32nd Ave W, then crossing the railroad tracks by footbridge over to Commodore Park
• Across the Chittenden Locks into Ballard, then east along NW Market St and southeast down Shilshole Ave NW to pick up the Burke-Gilman Trail
• East along the Burke-Gilman Trail to Solsticio in Fremont, stopping for a much-needed snack and smoothie
• East along the Burke-Gilman Trail to the Montlake Bridge
• South across the Montlake Bridge and Montlake Blvd E, then picking up the footpath under Route 520 to the Montlake Playground
• Northwest along Boyer Ave E and Fuhrman Ave E to circle the north end of Capitol Hill, arriving at the University Bridge (but not crossing it)
• South along Fairview Ave E to South Lake Union Park
• North along Westlake Ave N to the Fremont Bridge
• North across the Fremont Bridge to PCC Natural Markets for some groceries
• Back south across the Fremont Bridge and home again

Google Maps 15.6 miles total, estimated 1 hour 35 minutes—not counting my stops at Solsticio and PCC, I think I still took over two hours.

That's a lot of cycling, for having just started cycling again after about twenty years. I think my legs are going to be pretty sore the next couple days. Because I'd looped Lake Union yesterday, my initial plan was to go from the South Lake Union Park through Belltown to the Olympic Sculpture Park / Myrtle Edwards Park, and ride up along Elliott Bay to Magnolia, circling back home around the west side of Queen Anne. I think it was probably a wise decision to just do the Ship Canal circle today and leave that part for another day.

And because I've now duplicated most of the long walks I've taken, I'm eager to start going further afield with my bicycle, although that means one thing in this city: hills. I may need to spend some more time cycling around the relatively flat and level areas before I'm ready to start tackling some of the hills. Of course, it looks like I can, for example, cycle out to Alki Beach without facing too many hills…