I tried to complete the reverse foothills loop, but there was too much ice on the rural side. I had to fight the cold, but I couldn't fight the ice.
I've tried to complete the route once before, but didn't find success that time or this time due to frigid weather.
More after the break…
Outbound
I started at about 05:00 or so, heading out along the Burke-Gilman Trail. I was fine for a while, but eventually lost the ability to grip the bars well, so I went to the Starbucks in Lake Forest Park for coffee and a warm place to wait until sunrise.
It's even more frigid now than when I was in the snowy foothills last Saturday. I may abort this ride. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
Even with glasses and a balaclava, my eyes hurt from the cold!
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
Started the ride dehydrated, but without a dry throat. Been trying to rehydrate.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
@kentsbike I tend to get more engine revving than honks.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
At 85% humidity, this is pretty awful. pic.twitter.com/bPp32LnBWK
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
On freezing days like today, please be especially cautious on bridges, ramps and overpasses. They tend to freeze first.
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) December 31, 2015
Considering a Brooks Team Professional for my Saga. The used B17 on it now isn't uncomfortable, but is still not comfortable.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
@kentsbike At least they aren't geese.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
A little while after sunrise, I continued east along the BGT, but stopped again due to weak hands again. I wasn't the only cyclist out, though.
Unlike last time, my core is nice and toasty. Fingers are still cold and weak. Bottles are frozen. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
While there, I saw the first of the drinking fountains that weren't working. I'd see them not working at all the parks on the Sammamish River Trail further southeast, too.
The drinking fountains here aren't working.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
Even so, I continued southeast, not really seeing any ice at all on the trail. Every restroom I saw was closed because of vandalism, though.
Once at Marymoor Park, I decided to go along the West Lake Sammamish Parkway to avoid any potential ice on the East Lake Sammamish Trail. Unfortunately, ice is exactly what I found on the shoulders of that road, which I took as a harbinger of things to come.
Starting to see thick patches of ice on the road. I think I'm going to turn back and ride home. #seabikes #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
Rather than having to deal with dodging ice in traffic, I decided to turn back, but not before stopping at Marymoor Park.
I guess I'll try riding again tomorrow.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
Inbound
I essentially retraced my tracks to head back home, though I did stop to get some photos of the right of way northwest of the Renton Connector Trail.
And then I headed back up the Sammamish River Trail.
Current plan: century ride tomorrow, no long ride on Saturday.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
If the Eastside is so great, why are most of the restrooms on the Sammamish Rover Trail vandalized to the point of closure? #seabikes
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
Thanks, AutoCorrect.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
After riding all day on my new frame, I noticed a bit of familiar discomfort. Tracking down a bike shop open on New Year's Eve, I continued along my route home.
Pretty sure my Saga needs a 1cm shorter stem.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
I ended up choosing Counterbalance Bicycles for a stem. While there, I chatted a bunch with the mechanic and picked up a bunch of stuff I've been needing, and had some necessary maintenance taken care of.
I stopped by Counter Balance Cycles to get the stem, and now my Saga flies straight as an arrow! #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
I also found out that my cassette was shot, and had it replaced along with a longer chain (I already knew the old one was too short).
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
The folks there at Counter Balance really know their stuff, too. Lots of knowledge of uncommon bicycle stuff.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
I got the frame pumps I've been needing, too, since they had them. They even had the XL pump I needed for one bike!
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
Whoops, that's "Counterbalance Bicycles." The first part of the name is rather common.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
The guy who worked on my bike asked me if I was in the bicycle industry because of all the random knowledge I've acquired.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) January 1, 2016
From there, I simply headed home via the BGT. Thanks to the Sun, it was warm enough without needing anything special to get home.
@seabikeblog I'm home now.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) December 31, 2015
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