The Sinful Cyclist

The beauty of cycling is that it can actually take you somewhere: from one city to another, or to distant parts of the same city. And of course, this means the end point can include a reward: perhaps something legitimately naughty, or perhaps something perfectly wholesome that's so pleasant it merely seems "sinful."

And that's the spirit of this web site: to present cycling routes which take the rider from the center of a popular city to attractions that many people find pleasurable, ranging from spas to art museums to strip clubs to fine restaurants to casinos. Not every attraction will be your cup of tea, but even if you never indulge in any of them you'll still have enjoyed an entertaining city tour.

All of the routes presented below begin in cities reachable by the Amtrak Cascades or Sounder Commuter Rail trains, which provide facilities for traveling with your bike such that you don't have to disassemble or box it. Likewise, none of the routes presented below requires access to a car in order to reach the starting point or leave from the ending point.

As an additional service, this web site also hosts a guide to recommended road cycling gear, which may be very helpful to the serious beginner.

An Important Safety Reminder

Before beginning, please understand that we can't guarantee any given route is necessarily the best way to get there by bicycle: for the most part they simply record what one rider had success in doing at the time he or she did them, and if traffic or road conditions exceed your level of comfort or riding skill at any point in your ride then you should either abort or else consult a map and select an alternate path.

Additionally, please keep in mind that any businesses mentioned in these routes may eventually change their location or phone number, change their hours or web site address, change their offerings or level of service, or simply call it quits: you may wish to do your own consumer research before leaving, if you have any concerns about what to expect.

Seattle Routes

Downtown Seattle to Tacoma: This scenic route from downtown Seattle to Tacoma passes by several well-known Tacoma naughty spots, along with a famous spa and the city's unique museum of glass art. A jacuzzi soak or therapeutic massage are possibilities once the day's riding is complete, optionally followed by a visit to a cocktail lounge and the city's neighboring casino.
Downtown Seattle to Everett: Everett is a city of traditional vices, and this route takes you there via a pleasant ride that includes Greenlake, Meridian Ave N, and the full length of the Snohomish County Interurban Trail. The tour includes a trip by a popular strip club, a visit (with the help of one bus ride) to the sizeable Tulalip Casino, and after the day's riding is complete your choice of places for drinks. Stripping, gambling, and drinking: the classic sinner's trifecta.
Downtown Seattle to Auburn: In sinful terms, Auburn is mainly known for its first-class horse race track and its massive Muckleshoot Casino. This route leads you to them both over several low-stress trails.
Downtown Seattle to Bellevue: The theme for this ride is luxury: starting with a pleasant ride on the I-90 shared use path, it takes you first to the Bellevue Square Mall with all of its shopping slendors, and then takes you on a scenic tour of some of the most beautiful homes and yachts in our entire region. Be warned: it is entirely possible that at some point on this tour you will covet your neighbor's goods.
Downtown Seattle to Woodinville: This route takes you along the Burke-Gilman and Sammamish River trails to Woodinville wine country, for tours of the Chateau Ste Michelle or Columbia wineries, and the Redhook Brewery. A range of exotic options for ending the evening are offered, depending on your budget.
The City of Seattle: A Sexy Tour: This urban cycling route takes you on a tour of some of Seattle's most famous (and in some cases infamous) sexy businesses and clubs. Even if you never get off your bike, you'll hopefully gain an increased appreciation for the many forms which sex-based and/or alternative culture can take in this remarkable city.
The City of Seattle: An Arts and Entertainment Tour: This urban cycling route takes you on a tour of some of Seattle's most noteworthy arts, entertainment, and relaxation venues: perhaps you'll find something you weren't aware of which then becomes a regular part of your life.

Eugene Routes

Eugene to Florence and Back: The temptation presented by this route is not only one of the most potentially enriching of any in this web site, but also one of the most potentially disruptive: it tempts you with the rapture of the open road, with the dream of never stopping until you're all the way on the other side of the country. This route consists of the first leg of the classic "TransAmerica Trail," beginning at the alternate starting location of Florence, Oregon and breaking for a sightseeing evening in the cycling haven of Eugene, Oregon.

Gear and Fitness

Cycling is safer, and more fun, when you have quality gear that's properly maintained. As food for thought, here are the gear preferences of the person who researched many of the routes outlined above. And speaking of food, here are this same person's thoughts on simple junk food alternatives.

Please note that none of the routes outlined above require a mountain bike, or involve significant travel on either dirt or gravel surfaces: they're all road bike routes, on paved surfaces.

It's widely believed that one of the best ways to get into better shape for cycling is simply to do a lot of cycling. In the Seattle area, the Cascade Bicycle Club offers organized free rides on a daily basis, along with classes on bicycle maintenance and riding safely in traffic. If you prefer to ride on your own, then you might also enjoy working through the scenic routes presented in the Seattle Bicycle Touring Club maps library, or touring the bike paths in Seattle's city parks.

How You Can Help

Please let us know at webmaster@thesinfulcyclist.com if you have a route or city attraction to suggest.