Always a fun time!
I'd strongly recommend taking a look at these older albums, as there are photos of things in them that I didn't get in the latest album above.
More after the break…
Part 1: To Bus
I left home a bit later than this time, at 5:20 AM or so. The Dan Henry markings all over Ballard and Fremont Roads that've been catching my attention every morning did so again this time. I'd been noticing these markings for quite some time, but kept forgetting to mention them in my blog posts.
Another thing that caught my mind along the way was this mural/graffiti in South Lake Union. I saw its reflection in the window across the street from it, but it took a second for it to register, which prompted me to turn back and take a closer look.
Cool find in SLU. #mural #graffiti #cycling #seabikes @ Seattle, Washington https://t.co/K2Zovbb0ai
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 3, 2019
While riding along Second Avenue, I saw some cones blocking the lane in the distance. I was afraid that the next stop was closed, so I turned around and went up the bike lane back to the first stop, which—while covered in scaffolding—was still open. Only when I was on the bus did I realize that the next stop was still open.
Planned it out better so I only have to wait for 15 minutes.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 3, 2019
Using this stop because the next one down has a lane closure near it that might have it closed. So tired of construction.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 3, 2019
The next bus stop wasn't closed after all.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 3, 2019
Part 2: Outbound
When I got off the bus in Issaquah, I noticed how much cooler it was. I only stuck around to eat a snack before heading on I-90 toward North Bend.
A little cooler up here. (@ Tibbetts Valley Park - @cityofissaquah in Issaquah, WA) https://t.co/cCqk4Zt4eA
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 3, 2019
Rather than doing what I'd always been doing and taking it all the way to said city, I got off an exit or so early and rode along SE North Bend Way near the Snoqualmie Casino.
It was definitely a much quieter ride than I-90, which I really appreciated.
I made a stop at the North Bend Bakery in hopes of a cinnamon roll, but the staff said they'd just put a fresh batch in the oven after running out, so I got a bismarck instead. The staff also said that they'd recently hired a new baker, so the bismarck was smaller than usually, thus they'd charge me a little less. I also picked up an Italian soda, plus a doughnut and cookie to bring home.
I'm at Georgia's Bakery in North Bend, WA https://t.co/WxhhQcn91D
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 3, 2019
I left North Bend via North Bend Way. Along the way, I noticed that the trail from last time was paved…but still dead-ended without warning. A little further along, I saw a couple of folks with full randonneuring and some camping gear headed back the other way. I wonder where they went?
I hung a right onto the Snoqualmie Valley Trail and started on my climb up to the Cedar River Watershed Education Center.
This creek crossing is always a gateway to adventure for me. #cycling #bicycle #bicycletouring @ North Bend, Washington https://t.co/SeQQWpzCCE
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 3, 2019
I made a quick snack and water stop at the center before leaving civilization on the Palouse to Cascades Trail.
Boy was the trail jarring at first! I was used to riding it on wider tires at lower pressures, so I thought to lower the pressure. I was targeting 45/45, but misused the pressure indicator and ended up at 30/45. Considering I wouldn't be going too fast uphill, I thought that was still fine enough.
As usual, there were a lot of rock climbers at the rock faces along the trail. I also started leapfrogging first one touring couple, then another. I also recall a couple of older guys out for a spin on the trail.
Even though it had poured down rain the day before, there were only a couple of wet spots here and there on the trail. It wasn't too dusty, either. Perfect!
While I stopped at the snow shed to snap a few photos, some of those couples rode by. When I mentioned that they could ride through the shed, only one of them actually did. I did also ride through it going uphill.
Right at the western portal of the Snoqualmie Tunnel, I saw one of the couples from earlier getting some photos, and I asked if they wouldn't mind taking mine. That really broke the ice, and we ended up talking aboutn our travels. They started this tour in Vancouver, BC, then went around the Olympic Peninsula, back over the middle of it via unpaved backroads and logging roads with crazy climbs! The guy was on a Soma Wolverine with fat tires, dynamo lighting, and a 2×10 XT drivetrain, while the girl was on a bike with similarly fat tires but with a triple crankset. They said they were going to head north somewhere east of the tunner, and were on their way to Montana. We also exchanged Instagram information.
On the other side of the tunnel, I stopped to get some water and take another snack brake. It wasn't long before that same couple made their way out of the tunnel, and we chatted a bit more.
Met a very friendly couple on a long tour. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 3, 2019
Heading back soon. #cycling #bicycletouring #bicycle #snoqualmiepass @ Iron Horse State Park (Hyak trailhead) https://t.co/KaqpKssbLm
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 3, 2019
Part 3: Inbound
I only staped to chat a bit before heading on my way back down to Tanner, without stopping as often as I had on the way up.
Before I knew it, I was at the Cedar Falls trailhead again, not far from the Cedar River Watershed Education Center.
And not long after that, I was back in Tanner.
Now that I'm back from Eastern Washington, it's time to make my way back home. #cycling #bicycle #bicycletouring @ North Bend, Washington https://t.co/gsD3PXJyfL
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 3, 2019
I stuck to the Snoqualmie Valley Trail all the way to the Reinig Bridge at this section's northwesternmost end. Last time, I avoided the bit of the trail northwest of the golf course due to how rough I recalled it being, with large rocks set in the hardpack, but it was as smooth as any other part of the trail now. I guess the county finally did something about it.
It was at this point that I increased my tire pressure to be more suitable for pavement, since these touring tires aren't exactly the most supple.
Since my bike wasn't loaded down very much, I finally had the privilege of playing with tire pressure without risking pinch flats. I did 30/45 for the climb because I wouldn't be going very fast, and 45/45 for the… https://t.co/lmgI32RUep
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 4, 2019
A bunch of teens were jumping into the Snoqualmie River over and over again as I made my way across the bridge and down the staircase. That staircase, by the way, was very narrow and difficult to get my bike down with its bags.
I knew King County replaced the wooden steps after someone burned them down, but these are pretty terrible. #cycling #seabikes @ Snoqualmie, Washington https://t.co/nq4uBakWhv
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 4, 2019
A bunch of teens were jumping from the Reinig Bridge into the Snoqualmie River over and over.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 4, 2019
After making my way down the highway past the falls, I noticed a lot of people inner tubing on the river. Pretty cool to see the area so alive!
Lots of people inner tubing on the river here.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 4, 2019
I had originally planned to check out the little burger shack from last time, but the lines were crazy, so I went to the Last Frontier Saloon instead.
Not bad. (@ The Last Frontier in Fall City, WA) https://t.co/lXoX3gq4R4 pic.twitter.com/WnyMmAkGZ8
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 4, 2019
The food I got there was pretty good!
I originally wanted to go to the little burger shack in town, but the line there was out the door!
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 4, 2019
When I was getting ready to leave the saloon, a middle-aged lady went out of her way to strike up a conversation with me. She said that her brother owned the bar, and asked me where I was riding and she replied with, "That is insane and amazing. Insanely amazing!" She was also curing(?) cannabis chocolate in a jar.
To leave Falls City, I took the same route to Preston as last time, then rode the Preston–High Point Trail before jumping back on I-90 for the final descent. At that point, the scenery around me was darkening, but the sky was still light.
Not long after I finished unloading my bags at Issaquah Transit Center, an older African-American guy sat next to me and told me to wake him when the bus showed up. He asked me if I wanted a slice of gum before he started drinking Coors.
I'm at Issaquah TC Bay 2 (#64555) in Issaquah, WA https://t.co/VjpfGWdHKH
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 4, 2019
Part 4: Return Home
It was already dark by the time my bike and I got to Seattle. I kind of missed riding the last bit on a warm night like this one, so I was pretty happy to have this nice bit of quiet time on the way home.
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