Riding your bicycle might be the quickest way to get around the viaduct-closure traffic — and get some exercise at the same time.

The downside is watching out for irritated, gridlocked drivers, especially in South Lake Union. "The whole area could be a tricky area for bicyclists during the nine days," said Brian Bothomley, a volunteer bike ambassador with the Cascade Bicycle Club.

Cascade will have an "energizer station" on Oct. 24, 26 and 31 to do minor repairs and give out lights, at the low-level West Seattle swing bridge.

Novice cyclists can ride with club guides at 7:30 a.m. Monday and Wednesday from the lower West Seattle Bridge to Westlake Park. Or bicyclists can take a trail to the water taxi and roll aboard.

A new one-kilometer trail has opened near South King Street, along the waterfront. The trail links up with an existing trail. Near the St. Martin de Porres homeless shelter and the Coast Guard, an older, shared path is bumpy and narrow.

Novice or calmer bicyclists coming from the north should consider side streets along East Lake Union to avoid busy car and bus traffic on Eastlake Avenue East. Roll the bike onto the South Lake Union streetcar to ride traffic-free to Westlake Center.

A good traffic-avoiding alternative leaving downtown is to take Occidental Avenue South alongside the stadiums, to Royal Brougham Way South, First Avenue South, Edgar Martinez Drive to Utah Avenue South, continue past the Starbucks Center, right at South Lander Street, then left on Colorado Avenue behind Home Depot. Turn right at South Hanford Street. This route connects with the bike trail leading to the West Seattle Bridge.

Mike Lindblom: 206-515-5631 or mlindblom@seattletimes.com