Bikes, Bikes, Bikes...

Gregg's Cycles - 7007 Woodlawn Ave NE

Since parking is practically non-existent in Green Lake Park and the surrounding neighborhood area many have chosen to use alternative transportation.

Seattle is known for "going green" and being ahead of the trend in conserving energy. Green Lake however seems to be ahead of the surrounding Seattle neighborhoods in doing this. Just around the 8 AM morning rush of commuters several packs of bikers can be seen at various red lights and stop signs up and down the Ravenna Blvd stretch.

I have been in the neighborhood to witness businessmen and women, school kids, as well as leisure bikers all hit the streets of Green Lake to reach their destination and these bikers are serious: they are out rain or shine.

It seems rightly so that a bunch of bikers would call Green Lake their home, not only it is a hub for recreation but it is a center piece of one of Seattle's best and original bike shops. Gregg's Cycles has been around since 1932. It now has 3 other locations but the one located on Ravenna is the original shop and is still owned by the third generation of R.V. Gregg himself.

This shop is a staple of the community and for good reason. There is great costumer service for every biking or recreational need. They sell a plethora of cycling gadgets as well as top of the line bikes, accessories, clothing, lights, water bottles, shoes... pretty much anything you need for serious transportaion biking, mountain biking, or just your kids first tricycle it can all be found right here at this store without the super high prices and huge atmosphere of REI they will even troubleshoot problems for free! (however, you do have to pay for repairs) It was even named one of the Top 100 bike retailers in the US by Boulder Sports Research.

Gregg's Cycles has now branched out into other neighborhoods since its small beginnings in 1932 which include locations in Bellvue and Alderwood.

To see a list of events sponsored by Gregg's Cycles you can find it on their website or just go here.

Take a Lunch Break

After spending a majority of my time in Green Lake the past few weeks I have one note of advice: Do not take a car.

If you absolutely HAVE to drive to get to the Green Lake area, good luck trying to find parking. I suggest checking the second lot on the northern side of the lake first if you’re visiting the park. It is a lot quieter on that end; however, it is not as close to the shops but well worth the 20 minutes you will spend circling the streets for parking. You can find the parking lot between 76th St. and Stone Ave.

The parking lot at the end of Ravenna Rd. is usually full, and once you pull in you get stuck waiting behind all of the other misfortunate drivers who were under the same impression that they were there to actually park their car.

Besides the parking dilemma (which is nothing new to most Satellite drivers) I have found that Green Lake is not only a hub for recreation but it’s the spot to be if you’re looking for a yummy spot to have lunch.

Most of the restaurants have convenient patio seating with views of the lake which make Green Lake a perfect place to schedule your next lunch date.

Green Lake Bar and Grill located just off of Green Lake Drive is one of these perfect lunch-date locations. There is a large choice of sandwiches and burgers like their classic cheese half pounder which seemed to be something that a regular would order.

If you’re looking for sea food then you can find it near that nice parking lot that I suggested earlier. Duke’s Chowder House has one of its five locations right here in Green Lake. Even though it’s a chain the chowder is still yummy and award winning (with 5 different types to choose from).

And for those of us on a budget there is the very eccentric Beth’s Café off of Aurora Ave will serve you breakfast 24 hours a day. It offers cheap, super greasy, but oh-so-yummy comfort food. And sometimes that's just what you need on a grey Seattle day, not to mention the hash browns are never-ending.

Paper and crayons are also available for you to express your more artistic side while waiting and dining here. The art from patrons is posted on the walls from the floor to the ceiling. Oh! and I can't forget it is also the home of the world-famous-12-egg-omlet.

If grease is not what your looking and you can't really decide what you want then Lakeside Plaza is also in the neighborhood. This commercial establishment boasts a Worlds Wrap location as well as several other cheaper eatery chains like Guido's Pizza, Tully's Coffee, a Marbletop Creamery, and an Ed's Juice and Java.

If you’re hungry after your run around the trail or you just happen to be in the area there is something for everyone.

Sunny in Seattle

Sunshine? 60 degrees? Clear skies? For those of us who aren't from Seattle all of this may sound strange.

The idea of having beautiful weather in Seattle is a foreign concept but after being here for 7 months I have found that when the sun does decide to come out the entire city comes to life and everyone comes out of their coffee shops and art galleries to bask in the sunshine. And if it's a particular destination you're looking for on a day like this Green Lake Park is definitely the hub of outdoor activities.

The neighborhood of Green Lake is a quiet little area with the lake as its center point. It contains everything that an outdoors junky needs: water recreation, basketball courts, a pool, and a 2.8 mile trail surrounding the lake.

All of it is commercially accommodated with sports apparel stores, bike shops, and healthy food restaurant choices.

People of Seattle and surrounding areas flocked to this popular destination on Saturday and they brought with them their caravans of babies, picnic baskets, dogs, and especially their running shoes. With so many activities to choose from you could spend the entire day at the lake.

You can rent a paddle boat, kayak, or surf board and venture out onto the water. You can simply take a stroll (or run) around the path. Some people chose to just lounge around the grass while the more active visitors literally ran circles around them playing everything from baseball to Frisbee tossing.

The basketball court was packed with anxious players shouting "I got next!" in anticipation for the next game to begin. A Brazilian dance and exercise group, Capoiera Males, from the SODO area even used the park to show off their traditional blend of fighting and acrobatics.

Green Lake is definitely a place you want to be if you like being outside and active.

A schedule of events can be found here if your interested in visiting Green Lake sometime soon. Just make sure its a warm sunny day!