I think I got it right in the end.
Since I was focusing so much on the bike fit, I didn't get very many photos. Here are some older photos from the areas through which I passed.
More after the break…
Outbound
I started at about 05:00 like usual, riding a fairly new bike. Due to the closure of the Fremont Bridge, I had to detour via the University Bridge.
I rode by a guy who was peeking out of a dumpster earlier this morning.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 28, 2015
Having daytime stoplight timing in the dead of night is pretty stupid, SDOT.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 28, 2015
I had originally intended to cross the Duwamish River at the new South Park Bridge, but wasn't paying attention and cut over to the Green River Trail at S 112th St instead.
This Gilles-Berthoud saddle already feels really comfortable even though it hasn't been broken in. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 28, 2015
The fit wasn't quite right, so I fiddled with it quite a bit. The strong winds also hindered my speed.
Heading south or west is not advisable at the moment. #wind
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 28, 2015
Why does it smell like a breakfast diner around here?
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 28, 2015
There's a worm on my chainstay.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 28, 2015
As I approached the end of the Green River Trail, I found a closure.
I took to the local streets, then hit the trail again, which quickly took me to the Interurban Trail, which I left in downtown Auburn to seek water.
I had originally intended to stop for water at the Sun Break Cafe, but it was packed to the point that the foyer was full of people waiting. Deciding against that, I stopped at a nearby bistro instead and had some decaf coffee.
Water please. (@ Station Bistro in Auburn, WA) https://t.co/cF0B4zUIzH
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 28, 2015
I think I have a fit that might work.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 28, 2015
As I was pretty far south already, I went straight to the C Street Trail and took that to its end, then stuck to the E Valley Highway until Sumner. I rode in a graven shoulder for a bit as the road narrowed, which surprised me.
I just passed through Sumner without stopping, taking SR-162 to the Foothills Trail.
The current fit seems to work as long as I force my pelvis to tip down. Otherwise, bad lower quad pain. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 28, 2015
I then stopped at the Trailside Cyclery in Orting.
The owner of the Trailside Cyclery is running the ship again. He really knows all the classic bikes and everything!
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 28, 2015
I had been there a while back, then again another time in February (it was closed then). Apparently, the shop was leased to the owner of CycleTherapy that first time, but then was taken over by the owner of the property again once he realized that he needed money when 'semi-retired.' The closure was during the owner transition.
The owner of the shop was really knowledgeable, to the point where he recalled when a certain reputable custom bicycle builder did a poor job welding frames. He also offered advice.
The fit still doesn't seem right. The guy at the bike shop here suggests that I might've already injured myself, so I should be careful.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 28, 2015
Inbound
With that, I decided to turn back to avoid the foothills this time, but first stopped for coffee and a doughnut.
Need a pick-me-up. (@ Orting Bakery in Orting, WA) https://t.co/2SEJ80pJuP
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 28, 2015
Going to head home the way I came. I don't want to risk injury out in the foothills. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 28, 2015
Doing a ride like this on a bike without a proper fit was a bad idea. I just missed the friction bar ends so much!
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 28, 2015
I essentially went back the way I came, with the stiff headwind from earlier providing a tailwind. With that, I made pretty good time!
I don't know if I'd be able to get home without this tailwind. My lower quads are still in pain. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 28, 2015
Instead of the E Valley Highway, however, I took the W Valley Highway, then the Interurban Trail. In order to avoid the detour from earlier, I cut over to the Green River Trail at S 196th St, then stuck to it all the way through the Duwamish Route and the West Seattle Bridge.
Been teaching myself to bunny hop all day. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 28, 2015
At some point here, I started moving the seat up bit by bit until the pain in my lower quads gradually went away.
I had expected the Fremont Bridge to be closed. Even though it wasn't, I still crossed at the locks.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 29, 2015
The pain was gone when I crossed at the Ballard Locks.
I kept moving the saddle up until my lower quads stopped hurting and I was positioned forward enough on the saddle.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 29, 2015
The saddle was all the way back, too.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 29, 2015
Once across the locks, I rode the last couple miles home and was done for the day. I ended up getting 110 miles instead of the intended 129 miles, but that was good enough.
I'm curious to see what the specialist will say at the bike fit on Wednesday.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 29, 2015
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