There are some pretty quirky and cool facts about Washington State. For example, it’s home to America’s third longest lava tube. Also, its largest city, Seattle, boasts five of the world’s 20 floating bridges.
Of those five, there’s a 6,620-foot-long section of the Interstate 90 called the Lacey V. Murrow Floating Bridge that leads onto Mercer Island, a wealthy suburb of Seattle. Beyond that, the beginning of the floating bridge also marks the start of a popular bike loop around Mercer Island — often considered one of the best short road rides in Seattle.
The “Mercer Island Loop,” as it’s colloquially known, is a little over 17 miles long with an elevation gain of roughly 898 feet. It is also a popular route for anyone who wants to bike over to Bellevue, a world-class shopping mecca, and avoid most of the dreadful city traffic. Once you’ve started rolling, wooded areas, city skylines, and a historic tavern await over on Mercer Island.
Tackling the Mercer Island Loop on two wheels
You’ll start your bike ride on the Seattle side of the Lacey V. Murrow Bridge. From there, you can cycle over the pontoons that support the bridge and onto Mercer Island, where you’ll be greeted by the expansive Aubrey Davis Park — a great place to lounge after this first section of your bike ride…