Originally planned to head out to Snoqualmie Pass, but decided to see the valley instead.
Related albums
I had originally planned to ride to the Snoqualmie Pass Tunnel and back before the snow threatened the open status of it, but when I got onto the Snoqualmie Valley Trail, I decided that I'd rather ride that instead. I couldn't get home too late due to evening plans with my partner, so this presented less risk, too.
More after the break…
Part 1: To Bus
As usual I started at about 05:00, then headed to take the bus to Issaquah.
There was a bright light continuously illuminating the clouds over Interbay.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 21, 2019
Part 2: Outbound
After getting off the bus, I was reminded of how much cooler it is in the foothills. While eating a Tibbetts Valley Park, I bundled up and remained so for a few hours.
It sure is chilly up here! (@ Tibbetts Valley Park - @cityofissaquah in Issaquah, WA) https://t.co/gM6d3ARJvd
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 21, 2019
Rather than taking I-90 like last time, I used a combination of the local unpaved trails and some time on Preston–Fall City Road to cover the same segment. When I got onto the first of these trails (the Issaquah–High Point Trail, I noticed that it looked different from what I remembered
Did they resurface the Issaquah–High Point Trail? I don't remember it being so smooth. #cycling #bicycle #seabikes #gravel @ Issaquah, Washington https://t.co/Rj0I8qSr8o
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 21, 2019
I used to avoid this section because of how rocky some parts were, but when I got to the end of it without going over a single one of them, it became abundantly clear to me: The county had resurfaced the trail since I was last on it. This was very exciting to me, as riding I-90 isn't always something I want to do, mainly because of the debris.
They must have: the rocky sections are gone.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 21, 2019
The section between High Point and Preston hadn't been resurfaced, but it really didn't need any attention as it was already pretty smooth. The only issue with that section was how mossy and grassy some parts of the trail had become.
I stuck to the route in Preston all the way to where it crossed Preston–Fall City Road, then followed the road into the latter town.
Getting colorful up here. #cycling #bicycle #seabikes @ Snoqualmie, Washington https://t.co/KrnUKJElol
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 21, 2019
Is this place any good? #fryes #cycling #bicycle @ Small Fryes https://t.co/7SlS5IwTG8
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 21, 2019
After town, I crossed the Snoqualmie River, made the left onto SR-203, then went up SE 39th Place and the driveway it becomes. When I arrived to the gate dividing the two sections of the latter, I noticed that 
the logs that used to block the path to the left were gone. Such a quality of life improvement!
Who here recognizes this gate? #cycling #seabikes #bicycletouring #bicycle #biketouring @ Fall City, Washington https://t.co/d9cOs7P4Aj
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 21, 2019
I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the driveway had also been resurfaced, as it was also known for some chunkier gravel.
Both the little access road and the SVT have been partially resurfaced since I last used them. Nice! #cycling #seabikes
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 21, 2019
Once on the trail, I noticed that new signs had been added, which means the county knows that folks frequently use this access point.
These new signs are cute. #cycling #seabikes #bicycletouring #biketouring #snoqualmievalleytrail @ Tokul East https://t.co/v9HrzpaBau
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 21, 2019
I headed south on the trail, intending to only go to the Tokul Road underpass. Along the way, I saw a couple of group rides along the trail.
While stopped at the underpass to take some photos, a group was forced to squeak by because my bike was in the middle of the tunnel. I moved it as I saw another group approach, feeling bad. One guy in the latter group tried riding up the loose gravel to Tokul Road, but lost traction, spun out, and ended up having to walk up it anyway.
Rather than simply turning back, I decided to do a little reconnaissance: Google Maps showed a section of trail continuing a ways past where this section of the trail actually ended, and I had to check it out! This led me past some "No Trespassing" signs, followed by signs saying it was county land, and lastly a sign that was directing volunteers to a volunteer event. That last sign is largely what kept me going, even after the road turned to double-track. At the end of said road, I saw the volunteer party planting trees, and asked the county employee who was leading it about what Google Maps had shown me. She told me that both Weyerhaeuser land issues and land contamination from years of wood processing were the main blockers for joining the two sections of the Snoqualmie Valley Trail. She also told me about how the volunteer work in the area (both today and earlier events) was to replant trees in the county land to restore it to its original state, after having been used for agriculture for decades.
Just spoke with a King County Parks employee. She said that they are planning to someday connect the two halves of the SVT once the Weyerhauser land issues are resolved. Google maps already has the trail in its maps, which is incorrect. #cycling #seabikes
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 21, 2019
Part 3: Inbound
Both satisfied and excited about my findings, I decided to simply head on my way, which was north along the Snoqualmie Valley Trail all the way to Duvall. A guy on a Specialized Diverge showed up to the staircase down to the trail right as I was starting down it, so we chatted while descending. I told him about my findings, and he responded with, "They keep changing it!" We both started carrying down our bikes in line with the staircase, wheels hopping down each step, but I soon discovered that simply carrying my bike horizontally (perpendicular with the staircase) was easier.
This took me past Remlinger Farms, and the little railway was doing its usual run as I approached the area.
I passed through Carnation…
I'm at Nick Loutsis Park in Carnation, WA https://t.co/hoL8hmj06f
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 21, 2019
…and along the northernmost, flat part of the trail.
Not even a few hundred feet past a "Leave 'em Leashed" sign was a guy walking his dogs off-leash. They were crossing the trail back and forth.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 21, 2019
Looks like Duvall may be building a new park beside the SVT.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 21, 2019
When I did eventually get to Duvall, I stopped to get some ice cream and fill my bottles.
I'm at C.C. Espresso & Ice Creamery in Duvall, WA https://t.co/5A6HsoPJjL
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 21, 2019
After spending a few hours on unpaved surfaces, I was pretty shocked by how well the GravelKings worked on gravel. While they were super comfortable in general (I wasn't rattled at all), I also had a significantly easier time on soft/loose gravel. I guess I would be spooked by said gravel previously and flinch, which caused instability for a moment. Without that flinching, I just glide over it! Carrying less stuff on the bike also probably helps.
These @panaracer_world GravelKings are so cushy on gravel. Even the soft and loose stuff is easier! #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 21, 2019
Since I was in Duvall and needed to head back to Seattle, there was only viable option: Woodinville–Duvall Road. The last time used it, it ended up being fine, so I wasn't worried at all. It was the same this time: some good climbing, but otherwise not too eventful.
Just passing through. (at @Safeway in Woodinville, WA) https://t.co/cBSowuZIqk
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 21, 2019
I did miss my original intended turn due to traffic when coming down the hill towards Woodinville, and had to use old SR-9 to go through town. Since it was very familiar, I wasn't too bothered, but I was glad to get to the Sammamish River Trail.
Straight shot home from here. #cycling #seabikes @ Wilmot Gateway Park https://t.co/anIeK21JLe
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 21, 2019
I'm at Log Boom Park in Kenmore, WA https://t.co/MRcyDM9sWR
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 21, 2019
Lime e-scooters on the BGT. #seabikes
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 21, 2019
I didn't make any further between Woodinville and Fremont, where I stopped to chat with the owner at FreeRange before finally heading home.
No comments:
Post a Comment