Ride Around the Airport (and More)

This will be an exploration ride around SeaTac Airport, the 15th busiest in the country, that will lead folks through parts of the cities of Tukwila, Burien, SeaTac, and Des Moines in a counterclockwise direction. We will meet at the Tukwila Light Rail Station (3651 Southcenter Blvd, Tukwila, WA 98188) outside in front of the sculptures next to the escalators. Parking can be found in the adjacent parking lot and in the parking lot across Southcenter Blvd. You can also reach the start by using the Link light rail or bus routes Rapidride A, Rapidride F, 124, and 128.

We will first ride north through a few neighborhoods in Tukwila and Burien to get to parks in SeaTac that feature softball fields, disc golf course, BMX track, an R/C car off-road track, and the Highline SeaTac Botanical Gardens (we will stop briefly at each). Next, we will ride onto part of the incomplete Lake-to-Sound Trail that passes along and below the north edge of the runways where we will likely see airplanes taking off or landing up close. We will make our way south to the Des Moines Creek Trail which will lead us to the City of Des Moines Marina (we will go out to the end of the pier). Then, we will climb our way back up towards the ridge and pass by the Angle Lake light rail station on our way to visit Angle Lake itself. Finally, we will ride north along the ridge to get back to the Tukwila light rail station.

Random fact: based on SeaTac Airport’s 2017 daily averages, during our ride there may be around 174 take-offs/landings.

Please arrive 30 minutes prior to ride start. Please sign the electronic waiver by creating a free account on the Cascade website. Please bring basic tools (extra tubes, patch kit, etc.) as well as water and snacks, as it may be warm that day. Have a back-up plan in case you are unable to finish (friend/family who can pick you up, ORCA card to use public transit).

Cancellations: In the event of a weather cancellation, a notice will be posted in the comments on this page at least two hours before the ride and the ride leader will not be at the ride start location. Cue sheets will not be provided, please print one if desired. Restrooms: there are restrooms at the start in Tukwila light rail station, and there will be opportunities along the route for further stops at the softball fields in SeaTac (mile 3.9), SeaTac Community Center (mile 5.1), City of Des Moines Marina (mile 13.5), and Angle Lake Park (mile 17.8).