A very rewarding 100km ride because of all of the climbing.
Related albums:
More after the break…
Part 1: To Bus
As usual, I started at about 5 AM, but this time I headed straight for the northbound freeway station in the University District to take the bus to Snohomish County
Heading north. (@ University District North Bound Freeway Bus Station) https://t.co/GIrpMnLz1g
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 23, 2019
I usually don't sit on the lower deck of double-decker buses, but I figured it'd be easier for me to manage my bags without a staircase. #seabikes
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 23, 2019
Part 2: Snohomish County
After a quick stop at Everett Station, I started on may way to Snohomish via the Hewitt Avenue Trestle, where I had to stop to take photos of the fog rolling over the Snohomish River. I also put my rain jacket on at this point because I knew the fog would chill me.
It was pretty foggy for a while! #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 23, 2019
Between Everett and Snohomish was the usual farmland with some minor climbs here and there. Snohomish did look a little different, with businesses shuffled around and some having disappeared since my last visit.
After stopping by the bike shop's old location, I remembered that they had moved and tried looking around for their new location.
The new location ended up being a ways out of downtown, on the Centennial Trail.
I was wondering where these guys ended up. #cycling @ Snohomish Fitness Center https://t.co/XLxyCMiv9i
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 23, 2019
I headed north on the Centennial Trail through Machias, then took a little detour to get onto SR-92. The detour involved new roads and a convenience store I'd never seen before.
And then followed SR-92 all the way out to Granite Falls. It was very nice getting to ride SR-92, as it's been a very long time.
It's nice getting far away from the Great Seattle Conurbation. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 23, 2019
This place looks different from what I remember. There's also a new strip mall across the intersection. #cycling @ Junction Center Market https://t.co/2naDGHze2m
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 23, 2019
Right after the climb into town, I stopped for a minute to set up a photo with the town's sign. Right after I'd taken my own photo, a pickup truck pulled off the road. The guy driving it was the owner of the local Ace Hardware, and he was asking me where I was riding from. He said he was thinking about going on a bike ride, but he couldn't because he was pulling up trees for folks. He did this for quick cash, and was doing it for significantly less than the tree removal professionals in the area. He asked me about my route, and he said it was a good one, though he'd do it on his motorcycle instead.
I love this little town. The owner of the hardware store pulled over to chat about routes and he was kind enough to take my picture! #cycling #bicycletouring #granitefalls @ Granite… https://t.co/3aKVMqfITX
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 23, 2019
I followed my route after that, before realizing that I'd like to get photos in town, which involved another detour.
I saw a @MyCommTrans bus in Granite Falls today with "SEATTLE" on the destination sign. What was that about?
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 24, 2019
The town soon gave way to rural Snohomish County as I headed south.
One very short, banked climb up a caught me off guard and I quickly bailed because it was so steep and out of nowhere. I'd later bail on another one because I heard chain noise and was afraid of my chain jumping, but it was actually rubbing on my front derailleur and not my cassette, so I made a policy of trimming my front derailluer proactively.
After a wrong turn north of Lake Roesiger, I found where I was supposed to leave the main road: a downhill hairpin turn, which was covered in enough fine gravel to convince me to treat it like an out-and-back switchback.
It's so quiet out here.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 23, 2019
The short, punchy climbs as I headed down the west side of the lake sure didn't disappoint! I was hoping to hit up the Lake Roesiger General Store, but my route down the west side kept me a good distance from it. I would've had to ride halfway back up the lake if I wanted to do it, and I really didn't want to at that point. My quads were aching already!
A mile or two south of the lake—after rejoining the main road—a couple of young women on steel bikes with drop bars and front baskets (my people!) rode up and asked me where I was headed. We couldn't chat for long because a car eventually caught up to us, so they went ahead and the car passed. Not much later, a guy on a similar style of bike rode up and we chatted for a good five minutes or so. While chatting, I ended up pushing myself a bit more than I should've to keep up—it wasn't hard, but I felt it after. He said they were all in the same group, and that there were more riders behind them. After talking bike, he pulled away to catch up with the two women and it wasn't long before I stopped to eat. Because I pulled off the main road for a farming valley road alternative, I never ended up seeing the rest of the group.
Ran into a group of cyclists heading the same way as me. Chatted a bit before they dropped me. They said that another group was trailing behind them, so I should see them soon. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 23, 2019
The last long descent from the foothills triggered memories of my previous time in the area, where I'd been heading up that climb. I didn't hit another major climb after this, as I diverged from the main road via Yeager Road's route through a quiet farming valley.
Didn't actually see the rest of their group, as I pulled off on a side road for a bit to avoid traffic. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 23, 2019
I rejoined the main road yet again for the last leg before Monroe. I was sick to my stomach at this point, so when I did get into Monroe, I stopped by the local Safeway for a sugary soda. I thought about eating a cupcake there, but didn't want to end up sick from the sugar.
I'm at @Safeway in Monroe, WA https://t.co/8IlVSYH0ew
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 23, 2019
My legs are definitely tired, but spinning at partial power feels pretty natural. My stomach, however, needs assistance. #soda #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 23, 2019
Was planning to take the old road, but I don't think I'm up for the hills. I'll have to take the flatter US 2 instead. At least the shoulder is pretty good. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 23, 2019
The Sun's so bright that it gives me a headache if I take my sunglasses off.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 23, 2019
I was considering taking US 2 instead of the old road, but decided to take the old road after all, despite the hills. It ended up being an enjoyable leg, but had to deal with lots of cars passing. If I'd taken US 2, the wide shoulder meant that I wouldn't have had to deal with it.
Ended up taking the old road anyway, but not for any particular reason. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 23, 2019
By the time I got to Snohomish, I desperately craved starches, so I got a corn muffin at the Snohomish Bakery, which hit the spot.
Really need something easy on my stomach. (@ Snohomish Bakery in Snohomish, WA) https://t.co/Ynu2JApXdt
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 23, 2019
My legs are dead.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 23, 2019
The ride between Snohomish and Everett was full-on limping. My quads were so beat from the higher saddle position that I had to stop every few miles! I took the Lowell Riverfront Trail, then walked up the road bridge over the railroad tracks, before largely coasting to Everett Station.
Limping back to Everett. No injuries or anything. I just need to stop every few miles.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 23, 2019
Having a pretty tough time. Need to stop every few miles because I'm out of gas and my legs are dead. Even though I've been eating all day, I might need to revisit my #cycling food… https://t.co/wVDDwzuq9K
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 23, 2019
Phew, made it! (@ Everett Station - @everettcity in Everett, WA) https://t.co/uqnNT3YsGH
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 23, 2019
While waiting for the bus in Everett, I discovered that one of the nuts holding my front rack on was missing, and might've been missing for quite a while. I made a note to pick up the necessary parts on the way home, since that's a major safety issue!
While on the bus, I heard from the driver that some car tried to pass him on the northbound I-5 onramp from 164th Street SW and ended up hitting the Jersey barrier, breaking their front axle, and falling into the adjacent ditch. The bus was unscathed, but I'm sure the other driver didn't fare so well.
Part 3: Return Home
When back in Seattle, I took the less steep route down to the BGT. My only major stop was at FreeRange Cycles to chat about the ride with both the owner and some customers. One guy was talking about commuting the 520 Trail daily, and I told him I would get so tired of it because of how up and down it is. It's great for a weekend ride, but not daily! I was able to obtain a heavily serrated lock washer to replace the one that I'd noticed missing while waiting for the bus earlier, too.
I did have to make one other stop at my local hardware store for a new cap nut to replace the missing one. Rather than waiting 'til I got home, I put it on while sitting next to my bike in the store's parking lot.
Today sure was an adventure! I had to stop by the hardware store on the way home, too.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) March 24, 2019
No comments:
Post a Comment