Snakes, Foxes, and Penguins: Eatonville II (2014-08-16)

Why not go to Eatonville again?

Geotagged Album

You'll find more photos of the area in this album.

Eatonville (Album)

More after the break…

Part 1: To Orting

I started at the usual time of 05:00 and headed straight south through downtown Seattle.

Whoever timed the lights in downtown Seattle obviously has never been there at 05:30 on a Saturday.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

However, I didn't have to deal with mess around the First Avenue S Bridge, as I diverted via 4th Avenue S instead.

I took 4th Ave S through Georgetown to avoid the awful light timing around the 1st Ave S bridge. It worked splendidly.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

And then I took the Interurban Trail.

I like it when trains block cross traffic on the Interurban Trail so I don't have to stop. #seabikes
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

When I stopped at a park in Kent, I accidentally stepped in a pile of human feces next to a bench and had to spend some time cleaning out my left cleat. Nice job on maintenance, City of Kent.

2humid pic.twitter.com/asoU7rTD3T
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

I left the Interurban Trail in northern Algona to avoid the nasty pavement in Pacific, and took the C Street Trail instead. Next, I went along the East Valley Highway, which I've taken on the way home in the past. The shoulder southbound is a bit more continuous.

I had no idea this bit of cycling infrastructure existed. pic.twitter.com/RvWpISGSFI
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

Need more water. (@ Starbucks in Sumner, WA) https://t.co/OL7z3ivgbt
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

I had no idea there was a Fred Meyer here.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

They gave me the iced tea I ordered for free because they accidentally spilled my water bottles.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

I left the highway just south of the Puyallup River crossing in order to use the Foothills Trail, which I followed until Orting, where I was chased by a small dog.

I was chased by a dog with no apparent owner for a bit on the Foothills Trail.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

Part 2: Foothills

I stopped at the local bakery for water and a doughnut.

Last bit of civilization for a while, so I really need to pick up water. (@ Orting Bakery in Orting, WA) https://t.co/n35gmM7cSL
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

And then I left the trail to take Oroville Road south.

Someone pulled up alongside me while I was riding along. I couldn't hear what they were saying…
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

…so I told them they should get going since cars could be coming the other way.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

@anankaf A car.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

I passed by Lake Kapowsin, then saw some Dan Henry arrows on the pavement. I knew it'd be a stiff climb up to the one signed intersection here, and I had hoped that this was an alternate route. It wasn't, and I had to turn back and get back on my route.

After following the same route as last time in reverse, including the last steep climb into town, I hit Eatonville.

And then I stopped at Bruno's for a small plate of spaghetti and mushrooms.

I ate a light lunch at a place called Bruno's in Eatonville.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

From there, I headed back north along Oroville Road.

I didn't have any data service around Eatonville.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

With my faster cadence, my cadence/gear ratios/load combination is suboptimal. I ordered a less aggressive chainring set last week.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

The Puyallup River canyon was less spectacular than I remembered.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

I just rode through Orting to hit the Foothills Trail again, where I met an annoying headwind.

Looks like I'll get a headwind all the way home.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

Part 3: Return Home

Like usual, I stopped for a triple mocha in Sumner.

I'm at Starbucks in Sumner, WA https://t.co/Lg2NARGd5k
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

The city/county lost the easement on the Interurban Trail in Pacific, so they can't legally maintain it and using it might be trespassing.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

The C Street Trail is a decent alternative for those who don't want to ride on the West Side Highway.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 16, 2014

I then headed through the Sumner industrial parks, where some houses still remained, and then got on the East Valley Highway.

Next, I jumped over to the Interurban Trail and continued to fight the wind. As usual, I left it at S 196th St and headed up Oakesdale through Kent and Renton.

By the time I got to Renton, my legs were basically at their limit. I had to reduce output to prevent damage.

Car drafting will be my only salvation from this wind.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 17, 2014

I'm at Fred Meyer in Renton, WA https://t.co/mZrfXPD1JT
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 17, 2014

And then I went along the Lake Washington Loop all the way along Rainier and Lake Washington Boulevard.

Some guy was walking the wrong way down the Rainier Ave bike lane with his arms raised. He said, "Jesus loves you, brother."
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 17, 2014

Having a hard time. Reducing pedaling output. No disconcerting pain. Enforcing maximum hydration. Training new muscles is hard.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 17, 2014

I took my usual Montlake Bridge-avoiding route along Boyer, then crossed the University Bridge and took the Burke-Gilman Trail much of the way home. I knew I wasn't fast enough for Northlake Way.