This was my Surly Pacer's first long ride, and it definitely was faster than my touring bikes!
There really isn't too much to this ride as I had to get back home for an event at a reasonable hour.
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More after the break…
Outbound
As indicated by the title, I started at about 05:15, using my normal route out of Seattle, leading to the Interurban Trail via Tukwila. I was riding Surly Pacer on its first real ride this time.
Looks like 25mm tires aren't as harsh as I thought, at least on a steel frame. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) October 24, 2015
10-speed friction shifting works just fine, at least with @Gevenalle levers. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) October 24, 2015
My back was really tight when I started, making the aggressive posture of this Surly Pacer a bit uncomfortable.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) October 24, 2015
However, my back has been stretched a bit by riding this bike so now the posture is very comfortable.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) October 24, 2015
While the Pacer was fast from the start, it really was something once my body had adjusted to it. The handling was much more snappy and intuitive than that of my other bikes.
Wearing my thickest wool sweater because it's a bit chilly out. Wouldn't work so well on its own with rain. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) October 24, 2015
Now I see why compact doubles have taken over: they work just fine on the unloaded bikes 'normal' people ride. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) October 24, 2015
I don't think I used the bottom two gears on this ride at all.
Despite the toe overlap it causes, the steep head tube angle on the Pacer makes the handling pretty sweet. #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) October 24, 2015
#coffee (@ Sun Break Cafe in Auburn, WA) https://t.co/Fn61E8Etug
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) October 24, 2015
I ended up getting biscuits and sausage gravy with the coffee. I was surprised at how fast the service was there despite the crowds.
When I left there, I just headed down A street all the way until Sumner, then went east to edge along the bottom of the mesa. Once past SR-410, I was chased for a while.
A dog tried to chase me in Sumner, but my Pacer was too fast for them.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) October 24, 2015
I crossed the Puyallup River into Alderton, avoiding making use of SR-162.
And then took the Foothills Trail to Orting where I hit up the bike shop there to chat.
It'll be opening in a few minutes. (@ Trailside Cyclery in Orting, WA) https://t.co/BblyNfTiYk
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) October 24, 2015
Another guy (regular customer) spent a lot of time talking about his situation: most stock bikes are too small for him, but he doesn't want to shell out money for something he hasn't test ridden yet. I kept telling him "Surly Ogre" based on his intended uses, but since most shops don't stock Surly bikes, especially the largest sizes, he didn't seem to accept the advice.
Brian at the Trailside Cyclery told me that there's a cool mural under a bridge on the way to Mount Rainier National Park.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) October 24, 2015
I then stopped by the Orting Bakery for coffee yet again, and a doughnut.
…Just in time for the rush. (@ Orting Bakery in Orting, WA) https://t.co/m1g0OVMarH
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) October 24, 2015
Inbound
Heading back north, I definitely felt some headwinds.
Rather than taking my typical route back north through Sumner by exiting the Foothills Trail at Pioneer Way and hanging a left on SR-162, I went through Puyallup via the northwesternmost trailhead. I then took the East Valley Highway all the way up to Algona, then the Interurban Trail to the Green River Trail.
Northerly winds holding me back! At least my route from here won't have me ploughing straight into then the whole way back.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) October 24, 2015
The windy routing of the Green River Trail does have its downsides, but at least it made keeping speed up not too difficult.
I stuck to the Green River Trail all the way to South Park, then crossed the Duwamish River via the South Park Bridge.
mgmg
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) October 24, 2015
And then I went up East Marginal Way, 4th Avenue S, 1st Avenue S, and eventually East Marginal Way yet again as it turned into a smaller street with bike lanes. This got me to downtown, where I took the usual route home, though much more slowly than usual as my legs felt much weaker than usual.
I've done dozens of centuries before, but none of them with that kind of constant vigor! My quads are shot! #cycling
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) October 24, 2015
Yep, 10-speed friction shifting worked just fine. The shifters kept moving, though. #Microshift
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) October 24, 2015
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