I rode a different Lake Washington counterclockwise Monday morning.   Little traffic exposure, mostly congruent and some different views.  Seemed a safer and more interesting route than the traditional.

Elliot Bay trail, Waterfront, Duamish bikeway, Green River Trail, Lake to Sound Bikeway, Renton, then the normal route up the east side.  

There are a couple kinks after South Park, but pretty manageable.  (Pics of my U Turns)

Worth considering.   https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48171485