A two-day ride to Whatcom County.
NOTE: Since this ride is two days, the maps will be below the break.
Some other albums that cover areas through which I rode:
More after the break…
Day 1
I started at about the usual time of 05:00 and headed north along my typical route.
It sure is dark at this hour compared to a few weeks ago.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
Looks like Metro's Access vans like to block the Linden Ave cycle track. #seabikee
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
No real rain so far, but that could easily change.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
I saw a number of cats along the trail here.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
When I got to Lynnwood, I saw that they had made significant progress on the Interurban Trail upgrade since my last time through the area.
The Interurban Trail upgrade in Lynnwood is now usable. @mandersson1968
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
On some previous ride, I recall also seeing a road closure on Manor Way/Admiralty Way, but it wasn't in effect when I passed through this time.
I stopped at the Safeway in Everett for water, then continued north along SR-529.
I'm at @Safeway in Everett, WA https://t.co/9FdUVrnsZp
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
Rather than dealing with an annoying diagonal railroad crossing, I took a parallel route that allowed me to cross at a more forgiving angle.
My next stop was in Smokey Point.
I'm at Rite Aid in Arlington, WA https://t.co/VClxfK3Bb8
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
The weather is kind of gross.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
It was a humid, little drizzly, and grey. All of the qualities of a rainy day without actual rain.
@tgounleyNL@kentsbike S&S couplers help.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
From there, I made a left onto the Pioneer Highway and took that through Stanwood to Conway like my last time through the area.
I was happy to not have to deal with any detours in Lynnwood, but…
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
There was supposedly a bicycle detour on the Pioneer Highway. There's a dedicated bike route around there?
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
Weather's holding up well enough.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
The war on cars is a very strange war - it only kills cyclists and pedestrians.
— Seattle Scientist (@bad__scientist) August 29, 2014
I then stopped in Conway for water, chatting a bit with a motorcycle rider while there. For the rest of the ride, I could see storm clouds to the west.
Oh boy, Conway!
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
I'm at Conway 76 https://t.co/U3EFa7V6CW
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
Next, I went along an I-5 frontage road for a bit to enter southern Mount Vernon.
Using that frontage road reminded me of when I went to Montana, except the one here had a roundabout.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
And then I passed through downtown proper, only to have to cross I-5 via steep bridge. (Decaying downtowns are much more obvious in rural areas than in urban areas.)
I stopped at the Safeway in Mount Vernon for water.
Ought to use a toilet when I can. (at @Safeway in Mount Vernon, WA) https://t.co/buGGqVs2Ta
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
And then I crossed the Skagit River just upstream of the bridge collapse.
And then I had to deal with Burlington, the start of which is shown below:
Going to have to remember to avoid Burlington. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
@Charles_B_STB No, but the scenery was awful (strip malls) and the traffic volumes were very high.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
From there, I went through a few more roundabouts before hitting SR-11 (Chuckanut Drive).
While riding along the highway, I came across this little candy shop and stopped for some.
I'm at sweeties on chuckanut in Bow, WA https://t.co/PpQSoTQ69l
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
I wasn't the only cyclist out there, even on the diagonal part of the highway.
I saw a number of cyclists on Chuckanut Drive yesterday, some on bikes loaded down even more than mine! #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
I then stopped at Bow as the rain was getting bad enough to force me to put on the according gear.
Finally ran into something along the lines of rain.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
From there, I headed up into the mountains.
Which is apparently a fairly common thing to do.
There's a joke somewhere about chucking nuts on Chuckanut Drive.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
It certainly wasn't the easiest riding I've ever done, but I'd do it again. There were a number of pullover areas along the water side of the highway.
I saw a Car2Go on a less developed stretch of Chuckanut Drive!
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
I thought I was done when I reached the lesser slopes around Larrabee State Park, but there was still a bit more left until I finally reached civilization in Fairhaven, where I stopped to pick up food for the following day.
Need food for the return trip. (@ Haggen in Bellingham, WA) https://t.co/3XgfLvfGEr
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
Picked up some sandwiches at that Haggen for the ride home tomorrow. Much better than convenience store food.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
I also got a stout to put me down for the night. Going to drink lots of water tonight.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
Insanity prevails; I'm not yet dead! #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
It was a fairly easy ride from there to where I was staying. Most of it was through developed areas, but there was a stretch where there was only housing.
I also passed through downtown Bellingham.
I saw a number of bike lanes along my ride. If Seattle had wider streets and fewer steep hills, it'd probably be like that.
And finally, the motel. There were a number of interesting characters there which made it feel much more rural than it actually was.
I'm at Lions Inn Motel in Bellingham, WA https://t.co/w0l1vIHFoY
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
Today was the first 100 miles: the easy part. Tomorrow will involve hillier terrain. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
I also stopped by the Bellingham branch of my local bike shop as it was only a few blocks away.
Good heavens, they're multiplying! (@ Bikesport in Bellingham, WA) https://t.co/oDTxMlEBNC
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
And then I went to the Italian place across the street.
One large food, please. (@ Cascade Pizza & Italian Cuisine in Bellingham, WA) https://t.co/iPYHvknT9Y
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
My hands are shaking from the extremeness of that last bit before Bellingham. Feels good. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 30, 2014
I overate there. I probably shouldn't have ordered such a big meal, but the extra food can only help the next day.
Cyclists: Let's Talk About Shoaling http://t.co/2RO34F3Uxy #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
After I got back to the motel, I drank the beer and went to bed.
Day 2
"You aren't in traffic. You are traffic." http://t.co/qXuEox6Wen
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
I started at a little 05:00 the second morning. I didn't know what to do with my key since the front desk was closed, but another guest told me to leave it in the room with the door unlocked, which I did.
It was an uphill climb out along SR-542, and once that stopped I was held back by the wind instead.
The winds are antagonizing me. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
It then started to pour when I got to Rome (Washington).
The rain turned serious for a bit there. Feels like Summer is already over.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
I was having trouble staying warm, so I stopped at a gas station in Deming for some hot chocolate. Around there, I joined up with the route I used for Vancouver, but in reverse.
Cheap hot chocolate. (at @Shell_us in Deming, WA) https://t.co/IaM26itJAc
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
Even though chipseal is slow and bumpy, at least it gives good traction when wet. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
I was still having a pretty hard time. I could feel myself being slowed by the pavement, and wasn't able to stay warm at all. I stopped for some coffee at a diner in Acme, and added another layer to my clothing.
I'm at Acme Diner in Acme, WA https://t.co/4OK3Qc6fjB
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
I put the shirt I wore yesterday on as a second layer in Acme. Couldn't stay warm with that rain and wind.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
I also got a couple cups of decaf coffee in Acme.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
With that, I felt a bit better and was somewhat faster. The rain eventually let up.
Also, it has since stopped raining.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
My next stop was for water in Sedro-Woolley.
Cool. (@ Rite Aid in Sedro Woolley, WA) https://t.co/rCHAZm3hfE
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
Which included crossing the Skagit River again.
Lots of railroad remnants in Sedro-Woolly.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
I then started to overheat as the clouds had parted enough to allow the Sun to warm everything up a bit. I stopped to drink some coconut water and remove the extra layer at Big Lake.
The extra layer is too hot. (@ Big Lake Grocery) https://t.co/DrkSfbCHGn
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
And then I stopped by the little store at Lake McMurray and ate.
I like stopping at the store here. The owner is very nice. (@ Lake McMurray in Lake McMurray, WA) https://t.co/RG3Va40NEa
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
She reminds me of my own grandmother.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
She said that Lake McMurray has received no rain today.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
I got one of those energy shot things to make me feel better, but I have to be careful to not push too hard so soon. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
And finally, I got onto the Centennial Trail at the northernmost trailhead.
I saw a doorway under a tree root just north of here.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
Every time I ride past the junction of the Centennial Trail and Whitehorse Trail, I'm reminded of how much a lie the latter is.
Through Arlington, I took to the road in order to avoid the bollard-ridden and crosswalk-heavy section of the trail. Even after a wrong turn, I beat a group of cyclists through the city.
Weather's been pretty comfortable for a while.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
Once I left Arlington, things turned interesting.
I ran into a group of cyclists just south of Arlington and chatted with them. I also got a big speed boost as they provided drafting.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
The guy who was mainly riding beside me at the beginning (Randy) knew a lot about bikes themselves. The most experienced rider (Bill) left the pack at 84th St NE. The least experienced (Kim) and Randy eventually ended up pulling away from me as I was starting to run out of energy. At that point, I knew to stop and eat.
The half sandwich I ate was too light and I ended up eating the other half before even reaching Snohomish.
And, of course, Snohomish means coffee for me!
It's tradition. (@ Rock City Cafe in Snohomish, WA) https://t.co/H38KEgsqgi
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
The guy here knows me so well that he started making my drink as soon as I set my bags inside.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
190 miles so far; 30 miles left. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
Unlike on my last unsupported two-day, my saddle isn't causing any discomfort. Brooks was definitely the way to go. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) August 31, 2014
As for SR-9, I made sure to pace myself unlike my last time over it. It wasn't very hard at all.
I think I did a better job pacing myself this time than my last time over SR-9. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 1, 2014
I really got the hang of not mashing at all on my pedals and smoothing out my cadence here.
I'm at Wilmot Gateway Park in Woodinville, WA https://t.co/NcHTJZRyN4
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 1, 2014
Once I got on the BGT, I was spinning like crazy and zipping by everybody without being in a very high gear. I also passed by some people twice, as I stopped to eat on the trail in Lake City.
I'm maintaining a pace at least as good as usual yet I'm not even halfway up my middle chainring. Proof enough my rings are too big.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 1, 2014
I stuck to the posted detour though UW since I didn't think I'd be that fast. Since I still was fast enough, I used Northlake Way through Fremont as usual.
And then I was home.
My cats missed me.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 1, 2014
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