Jelaani Davis had a year to be proud of, but it's clear this is just the early stages of a long and promising career to come. With a string of impressive outings throughout 2024, the year has been paved with milestones that have propelled the young Seattleite into an altogether different class of rider. He joined the Search for Speed USA National Development Track Cycling team, where he's punched an impressive 2,200 watts. From placing first in his age group at Sea Otter Fuego XL—a self-confessed confidence booster—to moving up from XC Cat 3 to Cat 1 and Elite, Jelaani has quickly powered through the ranks. "It's been a steep learning curve," he admits, "but I'm grateful to keep up, even if it's at the back for now."

Not one to rest on success, he admits, "The past year has been better than I could've imagined, but there's still so much work ahead." With sights set on racing XCO World Cups in the future, Jelaani's often seen going full tilt around Seattle's city streets and picture-perfect longer rides looping around Lake Washington. We caught him between training sessions to get his take on the best riding in his hometown.

I usually ride a mix of road and gravel routes, often between 30 to 70 miles. Some highlights are definitely the Mercer Island loop, my top choice and one of the most popular spots in Seattle. Mercer Island is undoubtedly one of the most popular spots and the Seward Park area, which provides both flat stretches for speed and some steep kickers for strength training or debate settling.

I also really dig Cherry Hill. It’s a nice 20-minute climb that can be as hard or easy as you like, depending on which way you enter. The Lake Washington loop is a classic for some zone 2 rolling. It offers stunning views, but even after you've done it 100 times, you spot something new every time. For gravel, Snoqualmie Forest is my go-to. You can get lost for literally days. The forest is massive.

Seattle's riding scene is rich with nature, but what really sets it apart is its deep skate culture. Bike and skate parks are everywhere, creating a "beautiful madness" of handmade features and obstacles intertwined into the urban landscape. The grunginess of places like Colonnade under the freeway, with its raw, handcrafted vibe, really captures what makes the town unique. This blend of natural beauty and gritty, urban creativity makes every ride in Seattle feel like an adventure.

My top pick, offering beautiful views and a good mix of challenges.

A scenic mix of flats and hills with unbeatable views.

Deep immersion into nature, perfect for gravel enthusiasts and a solid training option for Unbound preppers.

Technical and thrilling, ideal for those seeking a proper adventure.

A steep and quite annoying climb. As a sprinter,  I'm grinding up this climb whether I'm trying to stay in Z2 or if I'm giving it a proper go. Only an average of 7% but the first 0.7km sit an average gradient of 12.8%. Zaps whatever speed you thought you had.

Challenging terrain with rewarding climbs. The local Mandeville as I like to say. One of the few 12+ climbs without riding out 5 hours. Still, you have to go about an hour and a half to reach it. It’s worth it though with two separate entrances. One segment averages around 4-5% while the other more like 7%.

A tough climb that pushes your limits on the East side before you cross into Redmond.

A deceivingly mellow until its not sorta climb off Lake Washington.

Post-ride, I often head to GoodWeather, which doubles as both a bike shop and coffee spot and is also an authorized Canyon dealer. I love their beans, and the vibe is always great when hanging out with Jason, Cole, or Katie.  The atmosphere is welcoming. Sizzle and Crunch is my favorite spot for a post-ride meal, with their easy blend of veggies, protein, and rice—perfect for a quick, healthy refuel. As you can tell, I really like rice!  If they are closed, I'm a sucker for a good chicken pesto. Homegrown makes a killer one with avocado that's also lowkey healthy.

The soundtrack would definitely be "Time Moves Slow" by BADBADNOTGOOD—it perfectly captures the reflective and steady rhythm of cycling through Seattle's unique landscapes.

Riding in Seattle is uniquely marked by a blend of lush, evergreen scenery and a raw, urban edge. The city’s deep skate culture adds a gritty, creative vibe, with bike and skate parks all throughout the cityscape. Spots like EXit 27 show off the hero dirt Seattle is known for, while Woodland Park scratches the itch for the BMX boys. Steep-lipped jumps into flow are a recipe for a good time. All in all, these spots epitomize Seattle’s grunginess and artistic spirit, making each ride feel like a breathing piece of the city’s culture.

Jelaani Davis (@jelaaniali) was shot on location in Seattle by George Golderg (@georgebgoldberg) wearing the latest season of MAAP Training kit, available now.