The brass monkey ride: 130 miles in starting and ending in bitter cold.
Relevant albums:
More after the break…
Part 1: Too Cold to Continue
Humidity has returned. It was around 15% earlier this week, which was painful. It's 77% now.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
I started at the usual time of 05:00 with a cup of tea in my blood. It was pretty cold, but I was able to manage for at least a while.
Full cold armor is equipped.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
Shoreline really lessened the utility of its bridge across Aurora with those inclined switchbacks. I guess you get what you pay for!
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
After about 1.5 hours, my hands just hurt too much for me to continue, so I stopped at the Starbucks at the intersection SR-99 and 212th St S, not far north of the county line.
Too cold. Hands hurt. Need to wait for the heat after sunrise. (@ Starbucks in Edmonds, WA) https://t.co/PBVouc5h5u
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
Long undershirt, flannel, fleece, and a waterproof layer on my arms aren't enough to keep my hands warm in the wind.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
Also wearing fingerless gauntlets and heavy cycling gloves. Still no dice.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
Water bottles were also starting to freeze. This seems familiar.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
Having a bad time. #cycling pic.twitter.com/ak43yfptAV
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
I don't know how people ride through 20°F @ 80% humidity weather. I want to learn. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
I can't even get myself to warm up in this Starbucks. Maybe it isn't the best morning for a ride.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
@BikeComutrCabal Too cold for mere jeans here.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
@inertiald Waiting for it to do so before I go out riding some more.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
A guy was in the bathroom for fifteen or more minutes here, with the sink running the whole time. He also had a grocery cart with him.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
@DaggsyD I'm pretty sure that's what he was doing.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
Part 2
I left the Starbucks at about 08:00 and continued along my usual route to Everett.
Likely due to a combination of caffeine and sunlight, my core and hands seem to be staying warm enough.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
Can't feel my face, though, which is fine.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
After I got to downtown Snohomish, I found that my planned route included a one-way street that was in the wrong direction. I wandered around a bit, using my sense of direction to find my way to the top of the hill that is Snohomish, and got onto SR-9.
Talked to a guy who said he sold a small Waterford years ago and the guy he sold it to was flabbergasted.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
Highway 9: extremely wide shoulders as far as the eye can see.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
@WAbikes I have some on my camera. I'll put them up tomorrow and let you know.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
The sunlight feels so good in this cold. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
The community of Lake Stevens involved some significant climbs and descents along SR-9, but that's pretty much expected when a road is so straight. I did see the lake itself, too.
Still enjoying SR-9. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
Along the way, I passed through a couple major roundabouts, one of which I walked around and another of which I rode through. The latter one had a huge "Arlington" sign in the middle.
I passed through some commercial districts which I hadn't previously known about, a little south of downtown Arlington.
I was surprised to see such a built-up area just south of Arlington.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
I'm at legion park in Arlington, WA https://t.co/M5UHn58q2j
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
While using the restroom at the park in Arlington, a guy in the toilet stall was on a phone and I thought he was talking to me. He ended up striking up a conversation once off the phone, and was amazed about the ride I was doing. He also thought 40 pounds was light for a bike.
To head north out of Arlington, I stuck to the trail for a while.
I then cut over to the highway again, eventually coming across the new Pilchuck Creek Bridge.
I also saw the old one-lane bridge.
For completion's sake, I looped back across the old bridge.
I then continued up along the highway, continuing past the end of the Centennial Trail to Lake McMurray. The valley there had been in the shade all day, and was pretty chilly.
I'm at Lake McMurray in Lake McMurray, WA https://t.co/LKdOHNpql3
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
I turned back in the area among the houses along Big Lake, then went back through Lake McMurray.
Because of what happened this morning, I think I'm going to turn back here.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
And I found where I thought I saw a door in the root of a tree before. It was just trees growing out of tree stumps.
From there, I quickly got back on the trail.
How does my GPS know when sunset is?
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 15, 2014
There were a number of places where the frost was so thick that it looked like light snow.
I pushed myself pretty hard along the trail so I could make it to Snohomish before Rock City Cafe's normal closing time of 19:00. The Sun started to set at this time, and by the time I was at 84th St NE it was rather dark. I could see the wildlife doing their thing, and was spooked at some of the noises I heard. I also saw an interesting sight:
Saw a guy on a riding mower being pulled by a team of dogs with a harness setup just like the sled teams in Alaska.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
Dark and lonely up here.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
The Centennial Trail is spooky at night. I'm pretty sure I saw some sort of large wildcat in southern Arlington.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
I made it there with a little time to spare, only to find that they were having a couple playing songs and were going to be open late. At least it gave me a reprieve.
Yaaaay. (@ Rock City Cafe in Snohomish, WA) https://t.co/DsH95KvNyt
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
I worked really hard to get here before 19:00, but they're closing at 21:00. At least I get some time to warm up, even if it's for naught.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
If I have to give up due to the cold again, I'll just take the bus from wherever I am to Seattle.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
I doubt I'd give up before getting to Woodinville.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
Something to note is that it'll be warmer along the Snohomish River and Burke-Gilman trails.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
@MAndersson1968@VeloBusDriver@dseater@zachshan Sounds warmer than what I'm doing.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
I left Snohomish and followed my normal route. One guy shouted "What an idiot!" and was laughing and carrying on in a seemingly spiteful manner. I didn't say anything and just kept at it. A few cars going the other way honked at me as I made my way along the shoulder.
The hill climb up SR-9 kept me very warm and I didn't mind the cold weather at all. The heat stuck with me all the way until Woodinville.
I'm at Wilmot Gateway Park in Woodinville, WA https://t.co/184AaoJkWY
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
I ate food in the park's bathroom to avoid the cold, then continued on my way.
Still not discouraged enough to give up, but I'll be pretty close to the 522 for several miles.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
Thanks to the caffeine, my core is plenty warm and so are my hands.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
I gave up after getting to downtown Bothell due to the cold and stopped at a sushi restaurant for some miso soup and green tea. The waitstaff there was very kind and nice, even bringing me a hot hand towel.
You know what? I don't want two more hours of this cold. I'm taking the bus.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
I'm at Hana Sushi in Bothell, WA https://t.co/VJOhxcw6m3
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
From there, I rode the few blocks to the park and ride and got on the 522 to downtown Seattle.
Part 3: Tail Between Legs
On the bus now. The staff there was very nice.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
No shame in avoiding hypothermia.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
No thank you, I'm done for now. #cycling pic.twitter.com/c6pZ478Ty7
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
Why can't the government be more like @ProBirdRights? Bread is a platform I can get behind!
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
Once downtown, I just took a normal route back home.
It actually was quite a bit warmer in Seattle, so getting from downtown to home was pretty easy.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
Today wasn't actually so bad: neither I nor my bike were physically damaged, though my spirit isn't doing too well.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
Might not go on a super-long ride next weekend.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
All this mess gave gave me an idea to do something I've done before.
Maybe I could do what @MAndersson1968 had me do years ago: use the bus to escape the city and extend my range.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
I've been doing that with the ferry for a while, and with my stamina today it opens awesome possibilities.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
I could also go on shorter rides until the daylight hours return.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
I think I was warm enough in Woodinville due to the climb up SR-9 further north, and it wore off fairly quickly.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) November 16, 2014
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