To get adjusted to the new fit tweak and custom insoles, I did a shorter century. While the new tires were awesome of gravel, I did get drenched for an hour as I approached the end of my ride.
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More after the break…
Outbound
I started at the usual time of 05:00, then headed south through downtown to get to SoDo. I then crossed the South Park Bridge and took the Green River Trail to continue to Tukwila. As I was planning to do fewer miles in the foothills due to this being a 'fit adjustment' ride, I added miles with this longer, flatter route.
I can definitely feel the vibrations from the knobs on these X'plor USH tires on pavement, but it isn't annoying. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 5, 2015
These custom #cycling insoles seem to solve the foot pain.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 5, 2015
Definitely feels like Autumn is returning to Seattle.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 5, 2015
While in Tukwila, I stopped at the Starbucks as I was pretty cold.
Yep, Autumn is definitely here. (@ Starbucks in Tukwila, WA) https://t.co/MZjrdp53cY
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 5, 2015
Shortly after leaving, I saw a sign showing that the branch of the trail that closed earlier in the Summer was going to remain closed for a while.
One of the main sections of the Green River Trail will be closed starting Monday, and won't open until December. #seabikes
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 5, 2015
After continuing along the trail for a while, I then left it to follow the route on the other side of the river. I'd been seeing it on my rides for a long time, and was curious.
Frager Road provides a fun alternate route for the Green River Trail, though not for the portion closing soon. #seabikes
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 5, 2015
This time around, I was using a new trunk bag to carry tools and food, rather than the smaller pair of bags resting atop the rear rack or panniers.
I like the setup, even though attaching the bag takes a lot longer this way.
Shortly before its end, I switched over to the Green River Trail. I then got onto the Interurban Trail and followed it south to the C Street Trail and the East Valley Highway. Cutting through Sumner without stopping, I jumped onto the Foothills Trail shortly after crossing the Puyallup River.
These headwinds aren't doing me any favors.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 5, 2015
When I got into Orting, I stopped by the Orting Bakery to pick up two doughnuts.
This place was closed last time, so I had to visit. (@ Orting Bakery in Orting, WA) https://t.co/0dpM3M8bPR
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 5, 2015
Cool guys here. (@ Trailside Cyclery in Orting, WA) https://t.co/FtmgRGLTR9
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 5, 2015
One doughnut was for me, and I traded the other for a rag at the Trailside Cyclery. I chatted with the owner and a customer who was riding a Rodriguez road bike. The latter left before I did and headed further out along the trail.
Inbound
After I left and as I approached South Prairie, there was a lot going on.
Back on the Foothills Trail, a group was getting wedding photos taken.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 5, 2015
Also, there was a random cyclist taking photos. I ended up in one.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 5, 2015
There was also a lady who had a fall, and was walking her bike. The guy in front of me stopped to help her.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 5, 2015
And when I got to the espresso stand's trailhead, the guy riding that Rodriguez was there again. We chatted some more before I headed further out and he started heading back.
The climb up SR-162 was pretty uneventful, though I was less afraid of rolling over loose debris and leaves with these cyclocross tires.
It's nearly overcast over here.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 5, 2015
After passing through Buckley and Enumclaw, I headed out along the road through Veazie and Cumberland.
And continued through Kanaskat. I hung a left to start heading towards Ravensdale the shorter way, then right to continue to Landsburg. Once at Landsburg, I walked around the park a bit. (The park is right on the edge of the protected Cedar River Watershed.)
Once done there, I continued my ride, taking the gravel Cedar River Trail at high speed.
Those X'plor USH tires work beautifully off-road. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 5, 2015
A little beyond the start of the pavement, I stopped to eat.
Road cyclists are getting into disc brakes for their unladen, light bikes yet here I am having fun with cantis on my loaded cross bike.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 5, 2015
And then continued towards Renton.
As has been something of a tradition, I stopped in Maplewood for coffee.
I'm at Maplewood Espresso & Deli in Renton, WA https://t.co/T7Lacpd5Zb
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 5, 2015
While there, I learned some inconvenient news:
@seattlish That'll make the last leg of my ride home rather interesting.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 5, 2015
Rain is moving into Seattle, don't forget your raincoat if heading to @Bumbershoot today. pic.twitter.com/xSXwKbPZnQ
— seattledot (@seattledot) September 5, 2015
The rain started fairly light, then got progressively worse as I headed up the Lake Washington Loop route to the Burke-Gilman Trail. It was absolutely awful by the time I got to Leschi. However, a wool sweater was all I needed to keep my torso warm; no need for a waterproof jacket at all! Also, even though neither of my bags was fully waterproof, nothing ended up too damp.
Yep, its raining. It's also rather windy. I do see brighter skies ahead, though.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 6, 2015
Oh boy, thunder and lightning nearby.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 6, 2015
unfortunately, it's all too true... pic.twitter.com/tZCk6rxnYn
— Steven Jones (@StevenLJonesJr) September 5, 2015
And as I approached the Arboretum, the puddles were getting all over my feet. The worst one even submerged both of them.
It isn't a real ride unless your feet and bottom bracket end up submerged on a flooded road. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 6, 2015
Homever, when I got to the Burke-Gilman Trail, it was no longer raining, thankfully.
At least the rain let up eventually.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) September 6, 2015
When I got home, I immediately took a hot shower as I was still a bit cold (though not chilled) from the rain.
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